First S&W, 19-3

[desrat]

Hey ya'll....I have lurked here off and on finally had a opportunity to trade for 19-3..I have been wanting one for a while.
Weeeelll, after further inspection post-trade, I noticed that the crane has a different sn than frame? Uh, wut?
Forgive the noob, stupid questions (I am sure I will have more)

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Fear not, the crane is not serial numbered, thats a assembly number that does not match the serial number and is quite normal.

 

[ben1]

Congratulations. You will love that gun. I found two 19-3's last year. one is 2 1/2 inch and the other is a 6 inch. Best 357's made.

 

[C Islander]

Welcome to the forum. You picked one of the finest as your first S&W revolvers. Notice I said first, many more will follow it home.

 

[Doc B]

Congrats on the new pistol. After a long dry spell for Smith wheel guns around here a few have been showing up so I too have recently bought a 19-3 in six inch with partridge front sight. Those old 19's are great, you will really enjoy it.

 

[robctwo]

Love mine, 4" & 6"

 

[28Shooter]

Welcome to the forum and excellent choice!

 

[CajunBass]

Welcome to the forum. My first handgun was a Model 19. I have no idea what "dash" number it was, I foolishy traded it off, but I have a 19-4 in nickel to replace it now.

We need pictures now. Ya hear.

 

[desrat]

Thanks!

Thanks everyone for the greetings and info....
I am itchin' to take it out, but it will have to wait.
I traded a Taurus 605 straight across for it...the only thing I see I need to do is replace the rear sight blade as it is worn around the top and edges..probably pick up a white outline from midway....which leads me to this...which dimension to pick for combat sights? I believe there are 3-4 options.
Oh, and the obligitory pic

 

[snw19_357]

I traded a Taurus 605 straight across for it...

Nice job!!

 

[Grizzman]

You made a nice trade. I really like 19s, and the 4" is my favorite.

Grizz

 

[KoiBoy]

Nice!

Looks great!

 

[butchkent]

Your choice for your first S&W is as you may know # 1. Was my first also and after 40 years I can hardly pass on one when found. Enjoy and don't hesitate to shoot reasonable magnums in it. It would be better to stick with the 150 gr and heavier bullets, lead or jacketed.

 

[dogngun]

desrat- Some people who carried the Model 19-or other Smiths with the adjustable rear sight-used to round off the sharp corners with a file so they would be less likely to tear up the inside of your suit jacket...they were pretty sharp and square from the factory. My wife's 4" Model 15 has the same thing done to it.

FWIW, you picked a great S&W to start with-enjoy it.

mark

 

[Engine49guy]

Congrats and welcome.
The Model 19 is one of my favorites and the dash 3 is probably the most unique .
Early dash 3's had diamond grips until 1968 then non diamond football cutout targets,
Best of all the dash 3's are all pinned and recessed.

 

[Habbyguy]

​

Best of all the dash 3's are all pinned and recessed.

I'm betting that there are a bunch of threads on that subject.

I've had others go all misty describing pinned and recessed Model 19's, but I'd like to get some feedback not based on tradition (or mythology for that matter), but on real world anecdotal evidence.

Who here has had a Model 19 barrel loosen or rotate? Or is there some other potential advantage to the pin that I'm missing?

What operational advantage does the recessed cylinder give you?

And for those of you (us...) with newer Model 19's - what operational advantage does the NON-recessed cylinder give you?

 

[desrat]

Once again, thanks everyone...still haven't taken it out shooting yet...this weekend though wahoo!

​

And for those of you (us...) with newer Model 19's - what operational advantage does the NON-recessed cylinder give you?

And I have noticed something though....when loading spent cases to get a feel for the trigger, I have some nickel Win .357 that are realy snug fitting....don't know if that is because they are once fired or what (dont have any new cases to test)
I can see this to be problem if practicing reloads etc.

eta: the case rim is fitting snug, not case wall