19-2 or 19-3 .357 ??.

[Nessmuck]

I need an education....I am wanting a 357 w/ 4 in blued barrel.Is the 19-2 an early gun and more desirable ? And the 19-3 the Brides maid ?? And what years are "the good ones " Thanks for your help

 

[Owly]

19-3 a bridesmaid?... I don't think so. No such thing as an undesirable Model 19, especially any P&R versions.

 

[Shooter 9]

P&R + 3T's = Oh Yea!!

 

[g8rb8]

I need an education....I am wanting a 357 w/ 4 in blued barrel.Is the 19-2 an early gun and more desirable ? And the 19-3 the Brides maid ?? And what years are "the good ones " Thanks for your help

I assume you are looking for a pinned and recessed (P&R) model 19? If so, that would include up to a 19-4. I recommend not being so picky on the "engineering and production changes", i.e. dash number. Be flexible because model 19's can be a little hard to find and once you find one to your liking, i.e. condition and price that you can accept, you should not let a dash-2 versus a dash-3 or dash-4 discourage you because they are all potentially very good.

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

 

[Vulcan Bob]

If given a choice I would go with the dash two. The reason, I slightly prefer the gas ring on the cylinder and if I remember right the dash three has it on the yolk. In any case you cant go wrong with either one.

 

[mr.jbk79]

The change in the 19-2 to -3 was the location change of the rear sight leaf screw. Dash 3 to -4 change was gas ring from yolk to cylinder.

 

[Nessmuck]

The change in the 19-2 to -3 was the location change of the rear sight leaf screw. Dash 3 to -4 change was gas ring from yolk to cylinder.

Which one would be a better investment...say 10 years down the road..19-2 or 19-3 or it doesn't matter ? Thanks

 

[D A Wood]

Back in the day, down in the southeastern section of Wisconsin, lots of detectives carried Model 19's in blue and nickel finishes along with the Model 66 in stainless. I still carry one of these two when I wander around my empire (damn bears), or travel to cities with a population of more than the 236 folks that live in Sarona.






If the first round doesn't make any noise, it's a simple matter to pull the trigger again to see how much fire comes out the muzzle from a full-house load and 158 grainers.

 

[g8rb8]

I need an education....I am wanting a 357 w/ 4 in blued barrel.Is the 19-2 an early gun and more desirable ? And the 19-3 the Brides maid ?? And what years are "the good ones " Thanks for your help

Which one would be a better investment...say 10 years down the road..19-2 or 19-3 or it doesn't matter ? Thanks

If "investment" was a major criteria I would vote for a dash 2 with original diamond grips and maybe you'd get lucky enough to find a very early or "transitional" one with 4 screws (i.e. the screw in front of the trigger guard) but don't count on that. My vote for second place would be a very early dash 3 with diamond grips.

You did not mention a pre-model 19, a no-dash, or a dash-1 but they would all trump the dash-2 and dash-3.

Pre-Model 19 prior to 1957.
Model 19 1957.
Model 19-1 1959.
Model 19-2 1961 and the fourth (trigger guard) screw was deleted.
Model 19-3 1967.
1968 diamond grips deleted.

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

 

[mr.jbk79]

Which one would be a better investment...say 10 years down the road..19-2 or 19-3 or it doesn't matter ? Thanks

If condition is around equal, the dash 2 is what I would take, especially if diamond targets were present. It's worth some extra bucks, so it may be a better investment, plus being older. You wouldn't go wrong going with the -3 either if it worked out that way.

 

[murphydog]

Which one would be a better investment...say 10 years down the road..19-2 or 19-3 or it doesn't matter ? Thanks

Condition rules here - a pristine -3 will be worth more than a worn -2.

 

[vonn]

A gun in the hand is worth 2 in the bush. Take the first good one then look more for a more desireable model if desired. Unless you pay way to high you should be fine if you want to sell one later.

 

[Engine49guy]

Given a choice between a 19-2 and a 19-3 choose the one in higher condition , If in same condition a 19-2 with diamond target grips is worth about $150 more.

The change in the 19-2 to -3 was the location change of the rear sight leaf screw. Dash 3 to -4 change was gas ring from yolk to cylinder.

Other small changes occurred during the 19-3 revision such as the front site ramp being integral with the barrel as well as roll stamps with smaller ampersands.
Also for the most part 4" & 6" 19-2's came with diamond target grips where the 19-3 came with non diamond target GA's ,

 

[rdfact]

The 3 T's are ?
Target Hammer
Target Trigger
Target Stocks

Were target stocks a factory option or after market? If after market I assume they are not desirable from a collectors standpoint?

 

[Voyager28]

Too much said about too little of importance. -2, -3, -4, -5 ........ it just doesn't matter. The Model 19s, IMHO, is the best series of revolvers S&W ever made or ever will make. In good condition, you can't go wrong with any of them.

Yes, some models are more valued in the collector arena than others. But, they are all fine, dependable, accurate shooters.

Bob

 

[tjfenske]

AMEN

It was my very 1st gun. I baught it from a kid I went to Sunday school with. (County Sheriff Deputy) GOD, I miss that gun