Model 19-2 2.5 inch 1966

sklaabs · Sep 24, 2020

I have one of these. My understanding is they were made for South American police/military contracts. The blue/polish is beautiful!

It has a round butt. I don't think these are collectible, are they? I'm considering sending it in and having 3 or 4 inch barrel installed for better ballistics/sight radius. Really like the round butt with the slightly longer barrel. Any thoughts? Can the factory match the high polish blue?

Thanks,
Steve

ISCS Yoda · Sep 24, 2020

I don't know about being made for a military contract but I've had a couple of those over the years. I agree, they're not particularly collectible but they're very cool, concealed carry K frames. They're worth at least 700 bucks as a general concept. Mostly due to the concealed carry, easy to shoot .357 Magnum thing but, otherwise, they're just interesting AFAIK.

I'm not sure that S&W does that blue any longer but you could ask.

When I bought my M686+ with a 3" barrel I was asked why I cared considering that I had a 4 inch and a 2.5 inch. What does the extra half inch do over the snubbie? Not much; I bought it because I liked it, not for any ballistic reason, and because at the time I had a growing collection of short barreled S&W revolvers.

My point being, if you simply adore that 3" barrel then fine, assuming that S*W has a 3" barrel that works. 3" barrels are popular and still somewhat concealable. Not so much with a 4" barrel. At that point you have eliminated easy concealed carry. Although folks do it I do not consider carrying full sized guns any kind of a great idea for concealment purposes but it's definitely a YMMV situation.

Still, a 2.5" M19 is somewhat special and I think changing the barrel ruins it.

JohnRippert · Sep 24, 2020

Dash 2's get a nice premium in higher percentage condition, say 95%+. I am concentrating on 19-2's in my collection since K frame .357's are my favorite revolvers and the 19-2's from the early '60s are about the same age as I am.

Hapworth · Sep 24, 2020

Welcome to the forum, sklaabs.

It's possible that there were 2.5" 19-2s that were part of a South American police or military contract, but the overall run of 19-2 snubbies was for many markets.

I suspect you're thinking of the truly rare 3" Model 19s that were built for some foreign police forces.

If yours is a 2.5" (measure from the barrel face/forcing cone to the muzzle), while nice, it isn't uncommon.

Suggest you enjoy your quality and desirable 19-2 as-is; S&W cannot match the bluing they did in the '60s, and they don't have the correct barrels anymore to do a swap -- and honestly, I think it would be a shame to hack on an old classic yours.

Plenty of new and new-ish 3" round butts out there to pick up and shoot if you must.

BAM-BAM · Sep 24, 2020

P&R Model 19s through -4s are collectable when found in good shape.

IIRC
there were some small runs of 3" 19s for the French Police/Secret Service and Peru?

Some with fixed sights like the Model 10

All told less than 1000 again IIRC.............

There were also some 500 3" 19s made in the 70s for domestic sale.

I have a 3" 66 the 19 in stainless..... my favorite concealed carry revolver.

3" .38sp 65s and 64s are more common.

Good luck

Jim Watson · Sep 24, 2020

I found myself with two 2.5" M19s, so I had a 4" barrel put on one and an action job by a Centerfold Gunsmith, only took two trips to his shop to get it right.

It didn't FEEL well balanced and I was trying grips that took away a lot of the supposed advantage of the round butt. I might have had it sawn to 3" if it hadn't been stolen.

firemanhank · Sep 24, 2020

sklaabs

Welcome to the forum.

If in good shape, your 2.5 inch model 19-2 is highly desirable to a lot of people/enthusiasts. In fact, it has been much more desirable than a 4 inch over the last number of years. A quick search on any popular gun auction site shows the value of the 2.5 inch over the 4 inch.
Now, a factory three inch barrel enjoys even more popularity but they are much harder to find and can cost much more but man they are great to shoot!!!

My point is, your gun has value as is and they certainly don't make them like they did. Trade it or sell it for the gun that fits your style before you rebarrel it. Many people would covet your factory snubbie.

Hank

Peak53 · Sep 24, 2020

Wow!

I'm going to weigh in on the side of anti-heresy.

. You're actually considering putting a longer barrel on a 19-2? People are paying premiums for snubby P&R 19's. While not highly collectible that gun is still highly desirable. If you don't want it, sell it and get what you need.

While posted before, here's mine in "unfired" condition, 1968, with box, docs, and tools (not pictured). Raise your hand if you don't want this

bananaman · Sep 25, 2020

Welcome to the FORUM from Michigan! Personally I would not alter that gun unless there are function issues. Sure wouldn't mind having 1 myself. Do have a 66-2, which in stainless steel. A fun gun to shoot! Bob

hvac · Oct 5, 2020

ISCS Yoda said:
I don't know about being made for a military contract but I've had a couple of those over the years. I agree, they're not particularly collectible but they're very cool, concealed carry K frames. They're worth at least 700 bucks as a general concept. Mostly due to the concealed carry, easy to shoot .357 Magnum thing but, otherwise, they're just interesting AFAIK.

I'm not sure that S&W does that blue any longer but you could ask.

When I bought my M686+ with a 3" barrel I was asked why I cared considering that I had a 4 inch and a 2.5 inch. What does the extra half inch do over the snubbie? Not much; I bought it because I liked it, not for any ballistic reason, and because at the time I had a growing collection of short barreled S&W revolvers.

My point being, if you simply adore that 3" barrel then fine, assuming that S*W has a 3" barrel that works. 3" barrels are popular and still somewhat concealable. Not so much with a 4" barrel. At that point you have eliminated easy concealed carry. Although folks do it I do not consider carrying full sized guns any kind of a great idea for concealment purposes but it's definitely a YMMV situation.

Still, a 2.5" M19 is somewhat special and I think changing the barrel ruins it.

Please contact me the next time you see one for $700, thank you

Rpg · Oct 5, 2020

Smith can’t replicate that finish.

Their current finish is a poor substitute for the original.

Model 19-2 2.5 inch 1966

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