I consider myself more of a pinned and recessed guy, and I am not really crazy about nickel, but when I had a chance to buy this 19-5 locally I couldn't pass it up. Is there any real difference between the later guns that are not pinned and recessed when it comes to durability and shootability? I am not sure if this is a keeper, or if it needs to be passed along - but it sure is growing on me. White outline/red ramp, doesn't appear to have been shot much.

Here's a couple of pictures:

The pinned barrel and recessed cylinder have not one thing to do with durability or shootability. The P&R were just extra quality touches that added to the S&W panache and pride of ownership. Your 19-5 nickel is still a very high quality all forged steel revolver and deserves regular range time!

Well put, works for me.