I am going to give this nice Model 19 a workout

[max503]

My friend was wheelchair bound for about 40 years. Back in the 80's he wanted a gun for self-defense so we got this.
The gun was too much for him. A couple years ago, before he passed away, he sold it to me. The gun came with the box of ammo he bought with it. About 12 had been shot.
It has been a safe queen for me, until now. I am going to shoot it with my cast, powder coated boolits. I'm going to take it deer hunting. I'm going to use it.
You can see by the pics that this thing is almost cherry, but heck. I'll never sell it, and you only live once. So it is going to become my new shooter and maybe even carry gun.
(Edit: That's just a piece of lint at the bottom of the forcing cone. I checked.)

 

[Baxter6551]

Max that's a beautiful revolver with a great story and a keeper for sure. Just avoid a steady diet of 125 grain .357 factory loads - these caused cracking at the bottom of the forcing cone (the flat area) in some revolvers subject to heavy use with these loads.

 

[max503]

Max that's a beautiful revolver with a great story and a keeper for sure. Just avoid a steady diet of 125 grain .357 factory loads - these caused cracking at the bottom of the forcing cone (the flat area) in some revolvers subject to heavy use with these loads.

He bought a box of 110 grain 357 hollow points. He only shot 12 of them. The rest came back to me in the deal.

 

[.45mtngun]

I bet your friend will be smiling knowing that you are putting that shooter to good use! Enjoy your outing at the range!

Jim

 

[stansdds]

Very nice Model 19! As mentioned, limit the use or avoid full power 110 and 125 grain magnum ammo, it's rough on forcing cones.

 

[sigp220.45]

Its a much better testament to your friend on the range than it is buried in the safe. Good on you.

 

[Eddietruett]

My friend was wheelchair bound for about 40 years. Back in the 80's he wanted a gun for self-defense so we got this.
The gun was too much for him. A couple years ago, before he passed away, he sold it to me. The gun came with the box of ammo he bought with it. About 12 had been shot.
It has been a safe queen for me, until now. I am going to shoot it with my cast, powder coated boolits. I'm going to take it deer hunting. I'm going to use it.
You can see by the pics that this thing is almost cherry, but heck. I'll never sell it, and you only live once. So it is going to become my new shooter and maybe even carry gun.
(Edit: That's just a piece of lint at the bottom of the forcing cone. I checked.)

I'm glad you are going to shoot it. That's what it was made for!

 

[max503]

Very nice Model 19! As mentioned, limit the use or avoid full power 110 and 125 grain magnum ammo, it's rough on forcing cones.

No worry about that. I shoot lead. I'm in the process of loading some 170 grain SWC's. It's possible I could get in a hunting trip with it this year if it likes this load. We have one more late season weekend and I still have a deer tag.

 

[MSD2343]

Model 19s were made to be working guns. The safe queens are nice but nothing looks better to me than a 19 that's been well cared for while being well used.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Very nice Model 19! As mentioned, limit the use or avoid full power 110 and 125 grain magnum ammo, it's rough on forcing cones.

I'd think they would also be worse for flame cutting the top strap, too.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Very nice Model 19! As mentioned, limit the use or avoid full power 110 and 125 grain magnum ammo, it's rough on forcing cones.

and also hard of the top strap, which looks like it has a little wear, started.

Have fun.

 

[stansdds]

Top strap flame cutting tends to be self-limiting while forcing cone erosion continues.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Probably should started your friend with 38 WCs.
I have seen the M-19 described as a "38 that can shoot .357s".

 

[M29since14]

Probably should started your friend with 38 WCs.
I have seen the M-19 described as a "38 that can shoot .357s".

That's the right way to think of Model 19s, IMHO. Happy to know the gun will be put to good use. You'll remember your friend every time you take it to the range.

 

[murf205]

No worry about that. I shoot lead. I'm in the process of loading some 170 grain SWC's. It's possible I could get in a hunting trip with it this year if it likes this load. We have one more late season weekend and I still have a deer tag.

Max, didn't IL used to have a handgun season toward the end of the season? I believe it was for residents only. I sure wish they would let us heathen non-residents hunt with a handgun there. That Model 19 is a treasure for sure. Your friend would be proud.

 

[LostintheOzone]

An old friend of mine gave me a well used pitch fork about 10 years ago. I don't think it much matters what it is, it's the thought of who gave it to you that matters. I've used it many times since he's passed and I think about him every time I have it in my hands. A few days ago I went through all of my hand tools for annual maintenance. The handle on this pitch fork was well weathered so I sanded it down and put a few coats of tung oil on it. Good for another 10 years with great memories.

Enjoy the memories of your good friend.

 

[max503]

Max, didn't IL used to have a handgun season toward the end of the season? I believe it was for residents only. I sure wish they would let us heathen non-residents hunt with a handgun there. That Model 19 is a treasure for sure. Your friend would be proud.

Yes. The last one is this weekend. Now we can use handguns during all the gun seasons, except muzzleloader.

 

[max503]

Probably should started your friend with 38 WCs.
I have seen the M-19 described as a "38 that can shoot .357s".

I did. The 19 was just too heavy for him. He was paralyzed from the waist down and it was a balance issue. He ended up keeping a small 22 semi-auto in his car during his trips to the city. This was before CC was legal. He figured he would take his chances with the law, but he knew he needed protection.

BTW. The 19 shoots just fine with the 168 grain SWC's.

 

[DGNY]

Thank you for the update advising that fine M19 digests 168 SWCs. I'm sure it would gladden the heart of your good friend.

Many of us are touched by your faithful friendship, as we have had similar to savor ourselves. Not too much better, except to have such a pal available for a good chat….

May that M19 be a great companion for many years to come!

 

[Nevada Ed]

I just noticed after looking at that "Lint" for the 2nd time,
even with my old eyes, it looks like there might be a crack on each side of it and going furter up the barrel.
Maybe just a "Shadow" on the picture but you might wipe it off and look
it over, just to check that the flat spot, is ok.