Got one back!

[S&W Fan]

Two years ago today I posted about finding an extremely clean 19-3 Texas Ranger commemorative. It was just the revolver and I didn't feel bad about shooting it LOL. The gold fill was gone but I had that taken care of.

Here's the original thread:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...-19-3-texas-ranger.html?608902=#post140646439

A few months later something else shiny caught my attention so the TR went to a friend. I reached out to him last week to see if 1) he still had it and 2) if he'd sell it back. He never shot it, just admired it.

I just got back from picking it up and I'm so happy to have it. I got it at the price of a standard 19-3 would have sold for, sold it for the same and paid the same today (plus the stupid Colorado mandated ffl fees for the background check and transfer which the shop only charged me $25 for both-this time as well as the when I sold it).

Couldn't be happier to have this one back. It shot unbelievably well with an amazing action. It'll mostly see .38spl with a few 158 .357 thrown in now and then. Here's a quickie cell pic.

 

[Nightowl]

Fantastic!! But, I want the holster!!

 

[Imissedagain]

Great choice of wood for that Smith.

 

[John Patrick]

Beautiful grips. I just bought one and the presentation targets are so plain they're ugly. Got the seller to knock off $100.

 

[S&W Fan]

This one checked all the boxes when I initially found it. It was local too but the shop never heard back from the guy they bought it from asking about the box etc. Yes the wood on the grips is just outstanding.

***Barbarian-CBX I was unable to reply to your pm, your box is full***

 

[boykinlp]

A lot of gun folks bad mouth commemorative guns, even some here, saying they would never buy one. But, I think this TR 19-3 revolver is the exception to that.
Larry

 

[John Patrick]

A lot of gun folks bad mouth commemorative guns, even some here, saying they would never buy one. But, I think this TR 19-3 revolver is the exception to that.
Larry

Interesting.

While I would not ordinarily pay more for for a commemorative gun since they're not commemorating anything involving or significant to me, I ended up buying a Texas Ranger commemorative because it's in "perfect" condition and the price was less than what I've seen similar condition non-commemorative P&R M19s go for. And it's the M19 I'm buying.

I do like some of commemorative markings or badges, some less so. The Texas Rangers the most of those I've seen, with S&W Fan's taking top billing. The grips on mine are just so uniformly plain that their unattractive.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Another TR Fan...

Yep, I too am a big fan of the TR Model 19-3 (s/n TR6362)! This was shown in another post recently, but I don't mind showing it off again. I really like the cutaway trigger guard, the smooth target stocks, the action, and the beautiful fit and finish. The stocks on mine are not quite as dramatically figured as yours, but they are nice. I did re-do the gold bronze lettering and I refinished the case. Although I don't collect commemoratives, this Model 19-3 is one of my favorites and it's a shooter.

 

[Green Frog]

Interesting.

While I would not ordinarily pay more for for a commemorative gun since they're not commemorating anything involving or significant to me, I ended up buying a Texas Ranger commemorative because it's in "perfect" condition and the price was less than what I've seen similar condition non-commemorative P&R M19s go for. And it's the M19 I'm buying.

I do like some of commemorative markings or badges, some less so. The Texas Rangers the most of those I've seen, with S&W Fan's taking top billing. The grips on mine are just so uniformly plain that their unattractive.

Agreed and seconded. A commemorative that commemorates something of no interest to me is… of no interest to me.

If the alleged value of its "commemorative-ness" is a significant amount, it will get a hard pass.

OTOH, a desirable model with a little extra "scratching" on it, but used and priced as a shooter, well here's where I jump in! I'd say your TR checks all the boxes (except for having the box ) and you did very well, IMHO to grab it twice!

Congratulations and enjoy it. Just try to hang onto it this time!

Froggie

 

[S&W Fan]

Froggie, your words are taken to heart LOL!! The features of the gun are what drew me to it the first time-minus the "scratches" haha. Love the trigger guard treatment, the grips really are beautiful, being p&r with the red ramp/white outline sights and that wide smooth trigger.

This gun had not seen many rounds when I got it, I only put about 75 of .38spl 130gr fmj and 12 158 gr .357 when I got it, cleaned it and put it in the safe. The action on this gun is amazing, still locks up like the proverbial bank vault haha.

I have a quantity of 158gr .38spl flat point fmj that may just get used on a weekend soon with this!

 

[heeter3]

S&WFan I've let too many go that I've later regretted.My brother has done the same.Several years ago we got to comparing what we lost and vowed that from that day forward if we own it we keep it til we're gone and hopefully our sons and grandsons keep them too.Glad yours came back.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

Never let it go again, man. That is great!

 

[boykinlp]

I did re-do the gold bronze lettering and I refinished the case. Although I don't collect commemoratives, this Model 19-3 is one of my favorites and it's a shooter.

You folks that have re-done the gold/bronze lettering, how does it hold up to cleaning your gun after shooting it? Do you clean as normal, or kinda clean around the re-done areas?

I agree what what has been said about not being interested in commemorative guns that commemorate something of no interest to me. In my case, I have never known any Texas Rangers, and never lived or even been to Texas, but my interest in this model is solely because I love their history, mystique, and their portrayal in books, movies, and TV. I enjoyed reading "Texas Ranger The Epic Life of Frank Hamer, The Man Who Killed Bonnie and Clyde", and watching Lonesome Dove and Laredo which were terrific to me! Believe it or not, I even watch Walker, Texas Ranger sometimes. I want to be a Texas Ranger when I grow up! Not sure when that will be since I am 61 years young now. We can dream can't we?
Larry

 

[lppd4]

As stated in other threads I bought my TR Commemorative because I got a great pistol at a very good price. My gun shoots good and the action is silky smooth. I do know a few Texas Rangers and got to say I'm a bit envious of the job title. What could be more Texan that being a Texas Ranger? One of the oldest and most prestigious outfits in the US. Cimarron arms produces Lonesome Dove Walkers in honor of Augustus Mcrae and Woodrow Call. Thought about buying one just to have it

 

[S&W Fan]

I have used MPro 7 to clean every gun I've owned since I became aware of it and Break Free for lube for as long as I can remember. My 'smith advised to just wipe down the areas of the fill with a soft clean cloth. Not hard to do as those areas don't get much if any residue from shooting.

A very good friend was in the same SF Army Guard unit as a guy that was a Ranger, now retired. Got to bend elbows with him a number of times. Great guy, he approved of the gun when I first got it and more than appreciated the fact I shot it.

 

[Hawg Rider]

boykinlp: I normally clean with Hoppe's No. 9, and finish with some Ren Wax. I do take it easy on the gold/bronze areas and just use a microfiber cloth with light pressure since those areas don't see a lot of fouling. Just FYI- if the gold/bronze fill does eventually wipe away, I have plenty of the Bonanza Gold fill kit material (Forster Products; from Midway or Brownells) to do about 30 guns! It's a fairly quick application process so I don't really worry about it.

 

[SixgunFife]

That looks great!

 

[boykinlp]

boykinlp: Just FYI- if the gold/bronze fill does eventually wipe away, I have plenty of the Bonanza Gold fill kit material (Forster Products; from Midway or Brownells) to do about 30 guns! It's a fairly quick application process so I don't really worry about it.

Hawg Rider,
I must've done something wrong when I did mine. I believe I followed the instructions to the letter. After applying the bronze powder, it basically covered the engraving completely. After waiting the allotted amount of time, I attempted to remove the excess as directed. Every time I did it (3 times if I remember correctly), it always removed too much from the engraving. Because of that, I tried a lighter touch on the additional tries. But, to remove ALL of the excess, invariably I would remove too much. Did any of you folks have the same problem, and if you did, how did you rectify it? Thanks.
Larry

 

[batman4706]

I have a set o various colors that are like crayons (which I've used before) that I got from Brownells.

 

[Hawg Rider]

boykinlp: There was a discussion about this topic on another TR Model 19-3 thread last week...one or two Forum members had the same problem as you. They were thinking that maybe the impressions (engraving) on their TRs were not as deep as they should have been, and therefore would not hold the gold/bronze fill material. Not sure what to suggest...if at first you don't succeed, try try again(?).