I took my new to me 19-3 (along with my Colt Magnum carry, Taurus 605 and some other autos) out to my farm to shoot yesterday and am absolutely in love. I've owned a few Smith revolvers in the past (2 586's,19-?,629) but have never had a smoother, more accurate pistol ever. Neither I or my wife could miss and she is now a revolver fan. I had some old .38 spec ammo and bought a box of .357 reloads (which I was nervous to shoot in the old gun due to not having shot this ammo before but after testing it in a Taurus 605 it seemed fairly tame). The sights were surprisingly dead on needed no adjustment. I dread the thought of damaging this gun's forcing cone and wish there was a way to upgrade the barrel but I will just take it easy on it I guess.
19-3 incredible shooter
- Thread starter TX Poker
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
jimbo728
Member
Get hits!
Jim
Jim
TX
My first(and I still have it) S&W was a Model 19 6". I used to shoot with an employee from Smith & Wesson. He was given experimental ammunition from the factory to test. After we shot it, we would give our report. My 19 has had over 10,000 rounds of hot .357 and standard .38 Special ammo thru it. It went back to Outside Repair, once. They installed a target hammer and target trigger at no charge. However I did bring them two party size pizzas from their favorite Italian restaurant.
My first(and I still have it) S&W was a Model 19 6". I used to shoot with an employee from Smith & Wesson. He was given experimental ammunition from the factory to test. After we shot it, we would give our report. My 19 has had over 10,000 rounds of hot .357 and standard .38 Special ammo thru it. It went back to Outside Repair, once. They installed a target hammer and target trigger at no charge. However I did bring them two party size pizzas from their favorite Italian restaurant.
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2005
- Messages
- 9,299
- Reaction score
- 11,551
If you make or can get cast bullets now, and they "fit" your revolver, there is no advantage in using jacketed, plated, coated, painted, or any other bullets and barrel life won't be a question. Heavier bullets that the .38 Special and .357 Magnum were designed for, around 158 grains, will often shoot best.
bloodandgutsmurphy
Member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2016
- Messages
- 97
- Reaction score
- 283
I have two 19-3's. One has a 4 inch barrel and the other one has a 6 inch barrel. The 4 inch is the most accurate revolver I own; my model 14 and pre-27 can't keep up.
I've shot a few other 19's, for some reason the -3's have always been the most accurate for me
I've shot a few other 19's, for some reason the -3's have always been the most accurate for me
Birdgun
Member
I can certainly appreciate the joy of shooting a fine S&W vintage revolver. I shoot my S&W Model 19-3 better than any handgun I have ever shot. And my wife loves, and shoots well, her S&W Model 15-4. These old vintage revolvers are still "Masterpieces."
S&W Model 19-3 "Combat Magnum" in .357 Magnum
S&W Model 15-4 "Combat Masterpiece" in 38 Special and with wife requested Altamont faux pearl grips "so it's pretty and more feminine."
God bless,
Birdgun
S&W Model 19-3 "Combat Magnum" in .357 Magnum
S&W Model 15-4 "Combat Masterpiece" in 38 Special and with wife requested Altamont faux pearl grips "so it's pretty and more feminine."
God bless,
Birdgun
Last edited:
I recently pick up a 19-3 myself, I agree, they are incredible revolvers.
The triggers are as smooth as silk...
The triggers are as smooth as silk...
Rpg
Member
Some folks can't understand the premium these revolvers command in comparison with the more recent iterations from Smith.
That's because the new gun buyers haven't experienced these real classics.
That's because the new gun buyers haven't experienced these real classics.
charlie sherrill
Member
I've got three 19-3's in different barrel lengths. The 6" blued I bought back in the 70's and carried it on duty for awhile before selling it to my brother for $100.00. 35 years later I got it back from him and it ain't going anywhere this time. The other two are a 2 1/2" in nickel, and a 4" in nickel. All have red ramp front sights, are P&R, TH, TT, and action jobs. All are very smooth action and very accurate shooters. I've got a couple of 66's in 2 1/2" and 4" set up the same way. Jr. gets them when I'm gone.
S&W Coastie
Member
I just bought a 19-3 last night on Gunbroker that looks to be in mint condition. I can't wait to see it. The ad said it was manufactured in 1970.
I shot a friends model 28, and was hooked on S&W revolvers
I then found a nice 19-3 as my first S&W, and it is great with 38spl ammo, even better with target loads in 357 brass, I own a few other revolvers, but the S&W 19-3 quickly became my favorite, so much so that I picked up a K22 as a companion
I then found a nice 19-3 as my first S&W, and it is great with 38spl ammo, even better with target loads in 357 brass, I own a few other revolvers, but the S&W 19-3 quickly became my favorite, so much so that I picked up a K22 as a companion
raygixxer89
Member
raygixxer89
Member
You've got a great gun, OP. Enjoy it!
CLASSIC12
Member
I also recently acquired a 19-3, hard not to fall in love with such a pretty and accurate revolver
Wyatt Burp
Member
I recently shot my nickel 4" 19-4 for the first time and fell in love with it. First I shot my 1980 4" Python but didn't touch it again after switching to the 19. there's no such thing as a perfect all around handgun, but the Model 19 is as close as you can get. Here it is with a 13-3.
Last edited:
