Incomplete 1970’s Model 19-3

[ect1222t]

19-3

In my opinion, the 19-3 was the best of the model 19's made. Good luck in finding those used parts for sale. I'd take it as a sign that dad wanted his revolver working again. That is a piece of family history you can pass down to another generation. Just because it's marked .357 Magnum, you don't have to fire full house .357 loads in it. You can start out shooting .38 Special loads in it to get used to it. I have my dad's old service revolver, a Victory Model, (a pre-Model 10) which he had as long as I can remember, and I was born in 1950. It is one of the few guns I have that will NEVER be sold. There is nothing like family history. Once you hold that gun in your hand and fire it, you will feel that connection to your father. You may also get hooked on S&W's. -Ed.

 

[Philblack]

Update!

I went ahead and and got those parts from gun broker that I posted above. They arrived today and I'm very pleased with the parts. As far as I know it has everything I need, including the extractor parts that appeared to be missing in the picture. The condition and finish of the cylinder is almost an exact match to my gun.

All I need to do now is take it to a gunsmith to have them assemble the gun and make sure everything is working properly. The gun hasn't been fired in at least 23 years and I don't even know how often it was fired before then.

This is pretty exciting for me and I'll post some new pictures as soon as I can.

Thanks to everyone that gave some input.

I liked your story and I'm glad for you it is getting to a happy end!

 

[brucev]

I just found this thread. I am glad to read that you not only have your father's revolver, but that you now have the parts in hand by which it may be restored to service. I would encourage you to follow through by having a qualified gunsmith fit the parts to your revolver. Your satisfaction with the restoration of your father's revolver will be very significant.

 

[M29since14]

Just be sure you get the gun to a competent 'smith. This is not a big job, but it needs to be done by someone who knows what they are doing. I would be inclined to send the whole mess back to S&W. It would be worth the extra expense of shipping, if you do not know a good S&W armorer in your area.

Let us know how things turn out.

 

[Efoehn]

So I took my 19 to Gary Reeder's shop today and there's some good news and some bad news. The good news is he said that all the parts looked like there but we would have to take it apart to be sure. Also, he said he would be able to get it fixed up and cleaned in about a week.

The bad news is that he said the gun wouldn't be as accurate as it should be due to the gap in between the cylinder and the barrel. He said that it's about 3 times wider than it should be because the cylinder is not custom made for that particular gun.

Gary said I could send it back to Smith and Wesson and they could fit a proper cylinder or I could just have him fix it. I decided to have him fix it up because it's the cheaper route that I was headed down in the first place. I figured that one day, when I have more money, I'll send it back to Smith and have them get it back to factory condition.

Here is a picture with the gun and the parts so you can see the condition and because pictures are nice.

 

[M29since14]

It sounds like your gun needs to have its barrel set back a thread or two, which is no big deal, but for some reason he does not want to do that. He may be worried he will crack the frame in taking the barrel loose, or something like that...

That's not likely, but I suppose it could happen. Since the gun would be hard to replace, I suppose he doesn't want to get involved in doing it.

The gun is not going to be satisfactory if the barrel-cylinder gap is too large.

 

[4864]

Good to see you got all the part you need. I would strongly suggest you send it to Smith & Wesson. I know the gun has great meaning to you and I think you will be a lot happy with it being truly 100% complete and functional again.

 

[Sgt 127]

"The bad news is that he said the gun wouldn't be as accurate as it should be due to the gap in between the cylinder and the barrel. He said that it's about 3 times wider than it should be because the cylinder is not custom made for that particular gun."

Something isn't right here. It may be between what you heard and what he said.

Gary Reeder knows that the cylinders were not custom made for that particular gun. They are not.

Unless there is some MAJOR problem with that cylinder, the barrel cylinder gap can be rectified by turning the barrel back a turn or two...unless, thats a .38 Special cylinder. Then, it would indeed be too short. (wouldn't it? I need to go home and measure a couple cylinders)

I think something got lost in the translation. Is there any difference in cylinder lengths between dash models? Gas ring on the cylinder as opposed to the yoke?

 

[Efoehn]

Something isn't right here. It may be between what you heard and what he said.

Gary Reeder knows that the cylinders were not custom made for that particular gun. They are not.

Maybe he was trying to tell me about how they correct the gap in every gun when it's manufactured and since that isn't the original cylinder for that gun then the gap would be incorrect because Smith and Wesson didn't fit those two parts together originally. Does that make more sense?

 

[bgrafsr]

Maybe he was trying to tell me about how they correct the gap in every gun when it's manufactured and since that isn't the original cylinder for that gun then the gap would be incorrect because Smith and Wesson didn't fit those two parts together originally. Does that make more sense?

Yes, it does. Looking at the photo of the gun, I don't see the barrel sticking out into the frame opening like it should, or am I mistaken.

 

[Sgt 127]

Maybe he was trying to tell me about how they correct the gap in every gun when it's manufactured and since that isn't the original cylinder for that gun then the gap would be incorrect because Smith and Wesson didn't fit those two parts together originally. Does that make more sense?

Sorta...but, if the cylinder is right for the gun, the only thing the factory would or could do, is turn the barrel back and recut it to close the gap. It has nothing to do with the cylinder. Interesting. Good luck to you, please put up some pictures when its all together.

 

[canucksvt]

I am interested to see how this all turns out. Please keep us posted when you get it back Efoehn.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I just found this thread and it is really exciting to see your project taking shape. Please continue to keep us posted.

 

[Efoehn]

I got my gun back today from the shop! Gary Reeder got it put back together, cleaned up, timed, and test fired it for me. He said that shot quite a few rounds and that gun shot well and didn't spit at all. Everything is functioning smoothly and the gun looks very nice. He only charged me $30.00 rather than the $70-$80 that I was quoted because he didn't have to do as much work as he previously thought. So I have about $160 invested in this gun so far, not bad right?

I talked to Gary about the b/c gap and he said that was within factory specs. Like I said above, he fired it and said everything was fine so I think I will leave it alone. He also said something about not being able to turn the barrel in because it has a pinned barrel. Does anyone have more information about that?

 

[Club Gun Fan]

try Mike at Guns & Gun Parts, West Springfield, MA 1.413.732.9938. Smith & Wesson calls him for parts.

 

[310Pilot]

Well, he could turn the barrel in, it just takes drifting the barrel pin out before removing the barrel and cutting it on the lathe. However, if the b/c gap is within specs, there is no reason to do so, especially since it is a lot of work, and would involve not only cutting the barrel's shoulder on a lathe and facing the end of the forcing cone (opening into the barrel) to arrive at the correct b/c gap, as well as cutting a new pin relief in the top of the barrel threads to align it to its new position relative to the frame, all to, possibly, close the gap one or two thousandth of an inch. Just not cost-effective. If the b/c gap were out of spec, then, yes, he would have set the barrel back. Sounds like you're good to go - enjoy your Dad's 19!

 

[IamLegend]

How about before and after pictures?

 

[borntoraisehogs]

You are fortunate to have this weapon as an heirloom . You will enjoy learning about the model 19 and its place in shooting history . Bill Jordan , perhaps the man most associated with the Model 19 , wrote of his experiences in law enforcement and made demonstration films and lectures for all posterity . I recommend his articles , books and video recordings .

 

[Sgt 127]

I talked to Gary about the b/c gap and he said that was within factory specs.

I think I would stop right there. "Within specs" can vary widely and, I have had guns on the far side of "within specs" that shot great and others that were on the short side of "within specs" that would bind in two cylinder fulls of shooting. If it shoots well, and a good gunsmith like Reeder says its good to go, I think I would call it a day. You did fine getting that thing together at a reasonable price....

Of course, now that you have gone through all that, you will find the original parts in a sock drawer or something.

 

[BUFF]

What a great story! I love happy endings.