Hello - In my continuing search for a reasonably priced Model 19 (hint hint), a question has come up: How can I tell if the target grips on a particular Model 19 are original, since I don't believe they are numbered. Are there any telltale signs, such as color, etc.? (I've seen dark brown and light tan, not sure if that means anything). Or are you basically at the mercy of the honesty of the seller as to whether they are the original grips? Thanks.
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Question about target grips on Model 19
- Thread starter gunsrfun1
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You can't tell if they're original, but no one else can either. You can tell if they're the wrong vintage by the pattern and the type of circle inserts (or lack of).
HEADKNOCKER
Member
What "Dash #?"
Gary/Hk
Gary/Hk
In fact, some of the target grips from the 1980's are stamped with a date on the inside of them, so that would be a giveaway, if "wrong" vintage.............simple ,screwdriver variations are a tough one to pin point,,,,, the box, and the proper knowledge of the vintage of the gun, is about the only sure way, and hopefully, the honesty of the seller...they are, what they are and are of their own intrinsic value, as a gun, and as a set of target grips.......
aterry33
Member
Depending on when they were manufactered, they will have diamonds on the grip. I believe they did away with diamonds in 1968 on the 19.
Relief area
Also, the ejector star relief - a "football" cutout (looks like a small scoop was taken out of the left panel) would have been with the late 19-2's, 19-3's and early 19-4's and the later 19-4's had ejector star relief area of the left panel removed.
Also, the ejector star relief - a "football" cutout (looks like a small scoop was taken out of the left panel) would have been with the late 19-2's, 19-3's and early 19-4's and the later 19-4's had ejector star relief area of the left panel removed.
In my opinion, the early 19-2 through the 19-5's had the wide flared bottom targets that were too big for the "average" hand. Many were replaced with Pachmayer's etc.
29aholic
Member
Relief area
He means the relief area is cut all the way to the sideplate to facilitate the use of speedloaders.
He means the relief area is cut all the way to the sideplate to facilitate the use of speedloaders.
Earliest target stocks are non-relieved (no football shaped cut) with un-checkered diamonds around the escutcheons, which lasted until the late 1950’s. Next up are diamond targets with the football shaped extractor relief cut, which lasted until around 1966ish. Targets had blued steel circle inserts until about 1973, when they were changed to stainless steel. The football shaped extractor relief was dropped in favor of the speed loader cut in the early 1980’s and the circle inserts were dropped entirely between 1986-88.
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In order:
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Diamond targets with extractor relief cut (football shaped)
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Blue steel circle inserts (pre-1973, except on stainless guns)
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Stainless circle insert (post 1973)
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Speedloader cut
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No circle inserts
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In order:
.
Diamond targets with extractor relief cut (football shaped)
.
Blue steel circle inserts (pre-1973, except on stainless guns)
.
Stainless circle insert (post 1973)
.
Speedloader cut
.
No circle inserts
The subject of relieved versus non- relieved Target stocks on the CM has certainly been discussed here repeatedly, with most of the authorities agreeing that the early ones were non-relieved.
While doing some other research recently I found a very interesting picture in an article in the July/August 1977 issue of "The American Handgunner" of the "first" one shipped. It is shown fitted with ivory magnas, with with a set of Target stocks alongside the gun. The stocks are relieved. The author was Bill Jordan.
Good shooting!
While doing some other research recently I found a very interesting picture in an article in the July/August 1977 issue of "The American Handgunner" of the "first" one shipped. It is shown fitted with ivory magnas, with with a set of Target stocks alongside the gun. The stocks are relieved. The author was Bill Jordan.
Good shooting!
K frames are not my main interest, but am I remembering correctly that the Model 19 came standard with the target grip?
I had a couple of them and now, of course, wish I still had them.
I had a couple of them and now, of course, wish I still had them.
Yep, both the original .357 Combat Magnum and the later edition Model 19 came standard with target grips.
The 2-1/2" version was a round butt that came with Magnas.
