ID and question on a 19-3 and 19-4

[NH GUY]

What is the physical difference between a 19-3 and 19-4?
Also can someone date this 4K88592
Thanks

 

[Hair Trigger]

What is the physical difference between a 19-3 and 19-4?
Also can someone date this 4K88592
Thanks

Almost none, apart from the later manufacture of the dash-4. Your SN dates to 1974; at some point that year S&W moved the gas ring from the cylinder to the yoke on the M19-3, and did it without making an engineering change (dash-number change). It stayed on the yoke until 1977, when the dash-4 started, and S&W moved the gas ring back to the cylinder from the yoke. It was moved initially hoping to improve issues with carbon deposits on the extractor rod, but found it didn't work as well as having the ring on the cylinder. Other than the position of the gas ring on later M19-3's, there is no difference between the M19-3 and M19-4, and most M19-3's would be identical to the M19-4

My M19-3 is from the same period as your SN, but mine is 7K121xx. Mine has the gas ring on the cylinder, so the change was later than either of our revolvers, I'd think.

Late edit: the later M19-4's may have target stocks with the speedloader cut instead of the football cut, but the guns themselves didn't change except as stated .

 

[s3dcor]

That's an excellent reply.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I'm a P&R fan, and the nice thing about the 19-3s and 19-4s is that they're still P&R revolvers. I have a really nice 4" blued 19-3 (Texas Ranger Commemorative, 1973) and a minty nickel 2-1/2" Model 19-4 (1978). Both are great revolvers. Enjoy!

 

[hittman77]

You should put the SCSW on your next Christmas or birthday wish list!