My LGS got in a used Performance Center 19-7 K Comp. Looking at it I decided to pass since it was well used. Doing some research most I could find came with a dovetailed Trijicon front sight. This one however had the standard S&W pinned front sight making me wonder if this was a variation or a special run. The previous owner painted both sights which looked awful. My question is were the pinned front sights an option on these?
Model 19-7 3"
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desmodue
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I'm not an expert on S&W revolvers by any stretch of the imagination. I do own one of the first 100 K-Comps built in 1994, and have seen a few more over the years.
The ones I have seen have the dovetailed front sight.
Something that looks unusual on the gun you posted is that the barrel has roll marked letters while the frame has laser etched letters.
Purely a guess, but maybe the gun has been re-barrel at some time?
edit: I just looked at the pics again, there is a distinct difference between the barrel's finish vs the frame's finish. Re-barrel is highly likely.
The ones I have seen have the dovetailed front sight.
Something that looks unusual on the gun you posted is that the barrel has roll marked letters while the frame has laser etched letters.
Purely a guess, but maybe the gun has been re-barrel at some time?
edit: I just looked at the pics again, there is a distinct difference between the barrel's finish vs the frame's finish. Re-barrel is highly likely.
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desmodue
Member
Photo #2: The barrel almost has a brown/purple cast, while the frame is a flat graphite shade. (this view only shows the actual frame, not the crane or cylinder)
Photo #3: If you look at the frame where the barrel screws in, it has the same finish as the crane and the top strap. The crane also matches the threaded frame section above it.
The serial number would tell a lot. in any case, the two different types of marking (stamped barrel vs lasered frame) suggests that it didn't leave the factory in that configuration.
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I don't have one of these and agree the finish match between parts is pretty sorry, but I suspect this is an original gun with the front sight replaced. It is possible the barrel was replaced, but my guess is it was made from a combination of older and newer parts. The cylinders on these were recessed (older), the barrel may have been cut down from an earlier rollmarked part, and the frame is a later one with the new-style rear sight leaf.
panamajack310
Member
Just my opinion but it looks like a model 19 K-Comp to me. It has all of the features and the performance center stamp under the cylinder release latch.
I have a 66-5 which has roll marked barrel and laser etched S&W logo on the frame. They were doing it like that for a while. I assume using up roll marked parts on hand. I would not assume it's been re-barreled.
Although I must say that the front sight looks odd, and perhaps done secondhand. I am by no means a PC expert though.
Maximumbob54
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That front sight looks like it was used as a hammer. Was that thing dropped on it's head a few times or what???
It looks like a 3" pre-model 15 I saw on Friday, which was a chopped 4" barrel with the front sight brazed back on. Looked very similar, but actually better than that believe it or not.
Almost looks like someone "cut in" a 586 barrel and did the rest after. Joe
qballwill
Member
Here is my 19-7 k-comp. Everything on mine is laser etched, no roll marks at all. Along with the difference in the front sight, the front of the lower lug has a different profile. Mine is cut at much more of an angle.
desmodue
Member
If it was an original barrel with a replacement sight, wouldn't the dovetail cut still be visible? The gun being made from assorted parts makes sense, but seems kind of odd for such a small run.
Mine is serial number SDA00XX, that's pretty early in the run. It doesn't have a recessed cylinder or a roll stamped barrel. Someone once posted a period S&W advertisement for the K-Comp that stated they had recessed cylinders. Whenever a K-Comp pops up, I check it out, still haven't seen one with a recessed cylinder. I wonder if the recessed cylinder version ever existed, or was that ad a classic example of marketing and production departments not being on the same page.
I understand how models that have been made for a long time would have mixing of parts as newer changes take place throughout the production life. Maybe that is indeed what is going on here. But don't you think the finish difference increases the possibility of parts being replaced after the fact even if the factory did mix lasered and stamped parts on some guns?
This is very interesting to me. A guy can learn a lot hanging out in here.
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Maybe its some kind of transitional, or sent back in for a rebarrel. Ive been trying to land on of the 19-5s that were put out by Horton with the 3" barrel and magnaporting. Just not into the big front port and dovetailed sight. Although thought about getting one and having the port machined off.
Havent got that desperate yet. Plus not sure what barrel length would be after and would want 3" or 2.75 at least. Had never seen this combo, might be a good candidate.
Havent got that desperate yet. Plus not sure what barrel length would be after and would want 3" or 2.75 at least. Had never seen this combo, might be a good candidate.
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The serial number of this 19-7 is SDA14XX. The price was right but as I said it was just a little to rough for my taste. If the condition was better I would have bought it for a shooter since I love 3" K frames. The dealer was asking $575.
I wish this one looked like Qballwills'.
I wish this one looked like Qballwills'.
That gun is 100 percent original. I have one I bought Brand new and was one of the ealier and rarer runs of them that had the serial prefix KCP not SDA. My barrel is roll marked with laser etched PC logo. I have seen come with laser etched and roll marked. Plus the gun's serial number is correct. For 575.00 you better hurry up and get back there, that is a steal for that gun. That sight was added, it originally came with the front night site trijicon, and so what if it is not mint, for 575.00 its a steal and a heeck of a shooter.
Eric
Eric
desmodue
Member
Post a pic of your K-Comp with the roll marked barrel, I would be very interested in seeing how it compares to the one pictured above.
Here's mine, same configuration as Qballwill's and every other K-Comp I have ever seen...
Here's mine, same configuration as Qballwill's and every other K-Comp I have ever seen...
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Professor Frink
Member
bad picture, but here is a Lou Horton 19-7 (bottom) and a LadySmith.
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SDA00xx is indeed an early example.
I don’t think they meant recessed but counter sunk or chamfered charge holes.
That’s the correct prefix for a K-comp and it has the PC trademark but also where I would expect it to have a dovetailed front sight.
Interesting. That would be a very late one.
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desmodue
Member
I still think this is a gun that has had a barrel swap.
And now have a good idea where the barrel came from.
The photo below shows the same barrel (pinned blade, barrel roll marked not lasered)...on an L- Comp
Read more here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...-cool-wheelgun-586-l-comp-anyone-own-one.html
desmodue, sir please note the difference between the ejector lug of the revolver in your photo and the ejector lug in the O/P's photos. They appear to be two totally different styles.
The ejector lug in the O/P's photos ends flush with the barrel. The picture you have posted has the classic M-19 beveled (?) end.
The ejector lug in the O/P's photos ends flush with the barrel. The picture you have posted has the classic M-19 beveled (?) end.
