Did S&W ever make 38 Special "Model 19"?

Gary7

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Did S&W ever make a model that was identical to the Model 19 except chambered in 38 Special?

Edit: I should have posted this in the 61 to 80 forum.
 
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I saw a new one about 12 or so years ago. Shop guy told me it was part of an over run for some police department. Cylinder was a standard model 15 size stuck in the 19 frame window.

Be interested to hear if he was correct.
 
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And S&W did make the Model 15, which is more or less identical to the 19. The Model 15 had a more tapered barrel, an un-shrouded ejector rod and a slightly shorter cylinder, but even side by side, you have to look twice. I don't know if that answers your question

Andy
 
And S&W did make the Model 15, which is more or less identical to the 19. The Model 15 had a more tapered barrel, an un-shrouded ejector rod and a slightly shorter cylinder, but even side by side, you have to look twice. I don't know if that answers your question

Andy

Not really. I'm wondering if they made a revolver that was identical to the Model 19 (bull barrel with rib, ejector rod shroud, etc.) but chambered in 38 Special.
 
SCSW mentions the following;

Model 19-3, 2" Barrel, RB in .38spl without barrel shroud.

Model 19-8, chambered in.38spl, 2.5" or 4" barrel, SB, product code 148926. special order 0055 or 0056...2000

It would be kinda neat if a member had one of these and could post a pic.
 
They made .38 Special Model 13s, which is essentially a Model 10. I believe those were made for some over seas PD that used very hot .38 ammo. I can imagine they made .38 Special Model 19s for the same reason.
 
They made .38 Special Model 13s, which is essentially a Model 10. I believe those were made for some over seas PD that used very hot .38 ammo. I can imagine they made .38 Special Model 19s for the same reason.

Yes, the Thailand Police ordered the 13-4, quantities not mentioned, per the SCSW. Regarding the original question, I recall seeing a .38 Special model 19 for sale sometime in the last year or two, but can't recall the price or even if it sold. Seems the term "Magnum" just scares some people...:)
 
Model 19

I bought a 4 in. blued gun last year off gb, inside the yoke it said mod.19-7 on the barrel it said .38 special. the cyl was a .357. I sold it to one of my friends that just had to have it.
 
The one I saw was brand new from the factory around 97 or 98, full size 4" model 19 with the shorter 38 spec cylinder mounted to a 19 frame. It had the barrel shroud and was in every way a regular model 19 with a 38 spec cylinder.
 
The one I saw was brand new from the factory around 97 or 98, full size 4" model 19 with the shorter 38 spec cylinder mounted to a 19 frame. It had the barrel shroud and was in every way a regular model 19 with a 38 spec cylinder.

Was it a Model 19 chambered in 38, or did it have a different model number?
 
10 responses and only Big Lou got it right. Obviously later posters didn't read his response.

From SCSW3, p187:

Model 19-3, 2"Barrel: Round butt in .38 Special caliber without barrel shroud.

Model 19-8,Chambered in .38 Special: 2-1/2" or 4" barrel, square butt, product code 148926; special order 0055 or 0056. 2000.

Not only .38 Special, but 9mm too! From SCSW 1st Edition, p116:

Model 19 9mm: Model 19 variations exist chambered in 9mm-a forerunner of the Model 547 for European export.

References are wonderful.

So the answer is YES. Not a 15, or 13, but a Model 19 in .38 Special, just like was asked. At least 2 acknowledged having seen one.
 
Here is a 19-8 that is marked "38 Special" but will chamber a 357 mag. I understand that many of the 19's will chamber the 357. I have not yet heard a definitive explaination for these guns but it is speculated that these guns were left over from an overseas order and rechambered by the factory for the American market.

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The one I saw was a short cylinder, there were obviously some made with the 357 cylinder and barrels marked 38 spec. makes me wonder if S&W didnt clean out the parts bin assembling revovlers to move the inventory out.
 
Smith never made a model “66” in 38 spl. (At least that they ever told anyone about!). They did make a model, the number of which escapes me, for the California Highway Patrol which was the same as the 66 but was chambered in 38. The gun was stainless and had a 6” barrel with ejector shroud. It was marked “CHP” on the left side of the frame under the cylinder. CHP sold the guns at some point but before they did they over stamped the “CHP” marking so that it read “OHB”. The gun had a red insert front sight and a white outline rear and was fitted with target stocks. I think that they marked the yoke model 78 or 74 or something like that. I will have to do some research when I am near my library.
 
I have one of those CHP revolvers. It is not overstamped. It is indeed a 6" SS model 68. The box it came in is marked "special". It has the red ramp but no white outline rear. It has hogue grips but the box says SB under "stock". Is that the designation for target grips or is "stock" on the box for something else?
The CHP did tests that indicated to them (so they said) that the +P+ .38 was just as good as the .357 so they went with the .38. I think it was because there were several women and smaller stature men coming onto the force at that time and it was easier for them to control. If you did not qualify, you did not graduate from the academy. There was a lot of time and money invested to get them trained thus far and they wanted to have the most people qualify. It was also thought that all members carrying .38 would simplify ammo purchase and using others ammo in an emergency. The CHP has a lot of officers and the amount of ammo they use every month is a big investment.
Of course now it is all changed, to .40 automatics.
 
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