I Don't Know What To Do

[redlevel]

I looked long and hard for a Model 19 I thought was a reasonable price. Finally found two of them, one a 4" 19-3 "shooter-grade" for a very good price, and the other a 2.5" 19-3 in at least 95% condition. The 2.5 inch gun had rubber grips, but I found a decent set of diamond roundbutt magnas at a gun show, and added a Tyler t-grip. I got the 2.5" gun at a very fair price.

As so often happens, when we get what we want, we don't always want what we get. Does that make sense? No doubt that I'll keep the 4" gun. I have about decided, though, that the short-barrel gun doesn't fit a niche for me. If I'm going to carry a gun on my belt, I'd just as soon carry a 4" barrel. The 2.5" gun is just too bulky and heavy to pocket-carry. I have a half-dozen j-frames for pocket carry, including a couple of 3-inchers. I can carry my 36-1 easily in my front pants pocket, in a holster, without printing or dragging my pants down. I have tried, but there is just no way I have found to pocket carry the Model 19. IWB isn't an option because of too much flesh to gouge. Fat, in other words.

Also, with full-house loads, the short-barrel magnum generates so much fire and brimstone (and recoil) that it is a handful for a fellow who has had four hand surgeries in the last three years. I checked the BB website, and the "tactical low recoil-low flash" magnum loads aren't but just a smidgen better energy-wise than the 158 grain heavy +P hollow-point in .38 special, especially from the 3" 36-1. For some reason, I can handle the heavy BB loads in the j-frames much better than I can a full-house .357 load, even in an N-frame gun.

So I'm thinking of trading or selling the short gun. This isn't a for-sale add. If I do sell, I'll do it local, or at least within Georgia. I won't sell (or buy) any more guns I can't lay my hands on, or the prospective buyer can't see up close and personal.

I'm thinking I'm in a .45 state of mind. I have a bunch of brass and a bunch of loaded ammo in both .45 ACP and .45 Colt. When I say a bunch I mean several thousand loaded rounds in each caliber and several thousand more pieces of brass. I'm thinking it would make more sense to add a gun in one of these calibers.

Thing is, I really love the short Model-19. To me, it is one of the classic profiles for a S&W revolver. It just looks like it means business. For some reason, I think of Lee Marvin every time I look at mine. Didn't he carry one in a movie back in the early 70s?

What do you think? Will I regret it and kick myself all over the pea-patch if I get rid of it? Or will I love a new toy in .45? I'm thinking a Commander size or smaller 1911 to go with my full-sized guns, or a birdshead Vaquero Sheriffs Model, maybe.

 

[29aholic]

Just me personally but I think the best looking K frame is the 4" 19. To me it's a scale model of the 6 1/2 29 in terms of asthetic balance as well as using. I would go with a Commander size 45. Interesting enough, a 2 1/2" K frame and a Commander size auto have almost the exact overall dimensions. Being flat the auto is easier to hide.
On that same note, a 2" J frame is almost the same as an Officer's size gun.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, I've been in that boat--a couple times, actually, in the form of a 2-1/2" Model 66 and a 3" Model 13. Both were lovely little things, but absolute bears with full-power .357 ammo. Hard to shoot well with all that drama going on. Once I realized that they were nearly as big and heavy as a full-size 1911 (which I could actually shoot well), their days were numbered. Eventually I let the .357 snubbies go and never looked back.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[gunlovingirl]

Thing is, I really love the short Model-19. .

You'll regret selling it.

 

[JCS&W]

redlevel, is that 2.5 inch M19 in nickel? If it is, here is what you should do, sell it to me and I will grant you visitation rights! That way you would not be out the money and could still see the M19 when you wanted to see it. Well....when it is convenient for me. While I might not be as local to you as some are, I am still close enough.

Seriously, the re-sale on the M19 snub nose is going to be at a higher level than the re-sale on the M19 4". Sell the snubnose, keep the 4". Either way, you will regret it later.

 

[jhvaughan2]

Don't listen to JCS&W, he's just being greedy. He's already got another member's 2.5" nickel 19 away from them.

 

[Garywapx]

Keep it. I learned long ago about regretting selling a S&W. Load it with .38's and plink away. They don't take up much room in the safe!
as for a .45, I have a model 23SF Glock that is very accurate and low recoil.

 

[Bluelou]

Easy.sell it.end of story

 

[scooter123]

I'm inclined to agree that the 4 inch model 19 is a much better looking version. In addition IMO it also features the best balance between handling, sight radius, and efficiency ballistically. So, I'd have no problem selling the 2 1/2 inch version.

Just one thought concerning something in 45 ACP. That is the 625 JM sells for about the same amount of money as a good 1911. Granted, I wouldn't want to carry one, however as a range gun they are "SIMPLY MARVELOUS". I have one and after a bit of tuning and tweaking it's becoming a real favorite.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I would vote for keeping it as K frames are my favorite. The 4" #66 in this photo is going to my son on his birthday this weekend. I cleaned it up, bought some combat stocks for it, and never fired it. I shoot and carry the #65 a good bit but the 2.5" #66 is used to shoot impressive fireballs with at the local indoor range. I will not part with it, unless one of my kids wants it.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Will I regret it and kick myself all over the pea-patch if I get rid of it?

YES

And there will be a line of people behind me waiting to help you kick yourself.

The only one smiling and happy will be the person you sell the 2.5" 19 to and he or she won't want to sell it back a week later once you realize what you did!!!

 

[Joe in SC]

The 2 1/2 Combat Magnums have a way of getting under one's skin. You won't be able to get that gun out of your mind if you get rid of it. You''ll end up wanting another and you may not get as good a deal on the next one. Survey says: Keep it !!!

 

[sheriffoconee]

As much as I would like to beat you outta that 2.5 inch 19, most folks here are right.....
If you sell it, six months later you will be looking for another one.....
I would rather get rid of the 4 inch....you can always find one of those in the entire condition range, from grunge to 99%......
But, that is just me.....

 

[125JHP]

Put some good shooting grips on it and keep it. Then buy the 45.
win-win

 

[M29since14]

The short-barrelled .357 Magnums have never made any sense. If you don't like it, sell it. I have a couple lying around that never get fired much, just for the reasons you mention:
Big and heavy for what they actually do (check this with your chronograph),
make a heck of a bunch of fire and racket,
difficult to shoot even nearly as well as a 4-inch gun,
and certainly not much fun to blaze away with if equipped with any sort of stocks consistent with the spirit of the gun.

As to a .45, I have to assume you have several .45s now, what with so many .45 rounds lying around. If all your guns are steel, but all means, try a .45 Commander for the reasons Curtis mentions. You will like it. The S&W PD and Gunsite models are some of the better off the shelf examples of this design, of those I have seen.

Be sure to buy a true Commander. The 4.25-inch gun with a barrel that uses a bushing is the real thing.

I would stay away from the bobtail frame unless you don't mind having one gun that is different from all your others.

JMHO, and probably not worth 0.02.

 

[C Islander]

I would never sell a 2.5 k frame. I can understand a Commander sized 1911. I want one myself, but I'd never sell my 2.5 66 to get one.

 

[ColbyBruce]

A lightweight Colt Commander .45 a.c.p. is a joy to own and carry. If you drink two or three ice cold beverages, the .45 seems adequate protection from north Georgia bears.

 

[redlevel]

OK, luckily I think I have recovered from my temporary bout of dementia. What was I thinking? I looked long and hard for that gun at that price, even had Ray make me a work-of-art holster for it. I used to do stupid trades like that all the time. Luckily again, I was too busy helping cook and get ready for Thanksgiving to do anything about trading over the few days I was having these evil urges. I guess I'll just keep shooting that 6.4 grain Unique/158 grain swc load in it. Thanks, folks, for the intervention.