Gunblue490's opinion about the new Model 19 ?

[sniper]

I have watched GunBlue's YouTubevideos frequently, and find him accurate and reasonable, for the most part. He has done a review of the new Model 19, in which he stated that finding a good condition older one without flaws, being nearly worn out is well nigh impossible. He was enthused about the new "Classic" 19. I've missed my 19 for years, and the new one is a handsome gun! BUT the price+ fixed income is a deterrent.
There are many knowledgeable persons on the forum...are his opinions of the new 19 versus the older models valid, and would they possibly extend to the old/new Model 66s?
Buuut...the new 357 Mountain Gun is very interesting...decisions, decisions!
Thanks!

 

[BoulderTroll]

I have watched GunBlue's YouTubevideos frequently, and find him accurate and reasonable, for the most part. He has done a review of the new Model 19, in which he stated that finding a good condition older one without flaws, being nearly worn out is well nigh impossible. He was enthused about the new "Classic" 19. I've missed my 19 for years, and the new one is a handsome gun! BUT the price+ fixed income is a deterrent.
There are many knowledgeable persons on the forum...are his opinions of the new 19 versus the older models valid, and would they possibly extend to the old/new Model 66s?
Buuut...the new 357 Mountain Gun is very interesting...decisions, decisions!
Thanks!

I enjoy some of his videos as well, although I prefer the ones where he stays away from topics like tactics and use of force, since much of his information in those is either extremely outdated or flat out incorrect. But for the videos on armorer type topics, and basic revolver shooting, I think he's done an incredible job.

I would pay close attention to what he says about the quality of most used guns, and the benefit of the newer designs. The caveat is that the newer designs go hand in hand with the lower quality control, so it is a bit of a gamble. That said, if the new gun is bad enough, at least S&W will work on it. Between the new Classic 19, the new 686 MG, and the newer 66-8, I really don't think you can go wrong. All three are solid choices, and I personally would get one of them over a used gun.

 

[K Harris]

According to Mas Ayoob, before his passing, Denny Reichard was the best Smith & Wesson revolversmith in existence. Denny said that the new revolvers with the MIM parts were much easier to tune than the older models. That all the internals were more consistent, more uniform. I wish I could find the article where Mas talks about his work on new 686's. I really like the older revolvers, but I would not pass on a new 19 Classic without the lock or the new 686 Mountain Gun. I would give them a very thorough function check before purchase. Just like an older revolver.

 

[SWFan27]

According to Mas Ayoob, before his passing, Denny Reichard the best Smith & Wesson revolversmith in existence. Denny said that the new revolvers with the MIM parts were much easier to tune than the older models. That all the internals were more consistent, more uniform. I wish I could find the article where Mas talks about his work on new 686's. I really like the older revolvers, but I would not pass on a new 19 Classic without the lock or the new 686 Mountain Gun. I would give them a very thorough function check before purchase. Just like an older revolver.

Gunblue was saying the same thing about the new 19's being much easier to work on. I own a 19-9 and a 66-8. I love them both and they are both fantastic revolvers.

 

[Bald1]

Why would he suggest finding a good used model 19 is near impossible? In the internet age you can find whatever your heart desires.

 

[SWFan27]

Why would he suggest finding a good used model 19 is near impossible? In the internet age you can find whatever your heart desires.

Because he was trained by S&W on how to work on, I believe 51 or 52 common problems that the older revolvers could have. Gunblue said every older revolver he came across had one or two, if not more of the issues. And they were going for some pretty steep prices. Sounds like he had been passing on getting another Model 19 for years due to this. That was up until he found that S&W had come out with a Classic Series M19.

 

[Bald1]

That makes sense. Not sure I agree with Mr blue but I get it.

 

[Beju]

Because he was trained by S&W on how to work on, I believe 51 or 52 common problems that the older revolvers could have. Gunblue said every older revolver he came across had one or two, if not more of the issues. And they were going for some pretty steep prices. Sounds like he had been passing on getting another Model 19 for years due to this. That was up until he found that S&W had come out with a Classic Series M19.

That certainly makes sense from his perspective. Most buyers won't have the tools and/or knowledge that he does to diagnose all the potential issues, or these days, even a reasonably close gunsmith who does.

I watched Gunblue490's Model 19 a while ago, so I don't remember too much of it. Regardless, no matter how good a Model 19 was made back in the day, it's still got the forcing cone flat cut at the bottom, and modern metal heat treatment methods are more consistent.

 

[stansdds]

The redesigned K-frame 357's are stronger and more durable than the original design. The frame's top strap is slightly larger, the barrel no longer has the thin, crack prone area for cylinder yoke/gas ring clearance, and the forward cylinder lock was moved from the ejector rod tip to a ball and detent lock between the crane and frame. As for MIM internal parts, MIM parts tend to be more uniform in dimensions and surface finish than fully machined parts. I have no problem with properly made MIM parts.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Because he was trained by S&W on how to work on, I believe 51 or 52 common problems that the older revolvers could have. Gunblue said every older revolver he came across had one or two, if not more of the issues. And they were going for some pretty steep prices. Sounds like he had been passing on getting another Model 19 for years due to this. That was up until he found that S&W had come out with a Classic Series M19.

I too enjoy some of his videos… makes doing the dishes more entertaining.
I remember watching this some time ago and thought to myself: “if he’s trained to work on Smiths, he’d probably find issues with most of my guns that I didn’t know existed.” The police armorer is definitely going to side with function over beauty.

Concerning the OP’s question, if you want a shooter a new one will do just fine. If you want one which will serve for some range time and occasional field carry, the older 19s will do it… and do it with more soul.