M 19-4 [Carry Firearm]

[357 Mag]

Hello everyone,

Just joined, and I look forward to learning much more on my S&W... I am a member of many forums, and they're the best place for specialized information, IMO.

I was given this revolver as a present from my dad. Model 19-4 ('78 or '79), pinned barrel and recessed cylinder cartridges, with the K frame.... if I've done my research correctly?

I am 21 and plan to take a concealed handgun course in the next month or two.

What I wanted to ask is if there was any reason that using this gun would be a bad choice for a carry weapon? I don't know much about these guns yet, so I don't know if there are some glaring issues, with some of them, or something.

I am proficient in firing it, so I feel confident in my accuracy. The only other handgun I have is a Taurus .45 ACP, and I just feel more comfy with the revolver... both mechanically and in my skills with each.

It seems to be in perfect working order, according to the manager/appraiser that I talked to at a well known gun shop in my town.

I was also wondering if anybody could direct me to a site that has some nice conceal holsters and non conceal holsters for my model.

Thanks for any tips, info.

 

[samandglove1]

Welcome to the forum. Your father gifted you a fabulous present that will last a lifetime. A 2 1/2" barrel K-frame in 357 Mag is an excellent CCW for concealment and stopping power.

 

[rags]

Welcome to the forum. Your father gifted you a fabulous present that will last a lifetime. A 2 1/2" barrel K-frame in 357 Mag is an excellent CCW for concealment and stopping power.

Insert comment here..."Yeah, what he said!" Welcome!!

rags

 

[P&R Fan]

Welcome to the forum.
Your M19, or as collectors refer to it, your Combat Magnum is a very good carry revolver. I have a M66 2 1/2" that is one of my favorites to carry. The M66 is the exact same gun but in stainless steel. If you are not yet familiar with this gun I would advise you to shoot it quite a bit before carrying. You can shoot full power .357 Magnums in it, and if that is what you intend to use for "serious social purposes" you should practice with them, at least to be accustomed to the recoil and of course you can adjust the sights to hit to point of aim. There is nothing wrong with using .38 Special ammunition for practice, or even the better ones for carry. They will be a bit easier to shoot and will be less expensive. Just know they will have a different point of aim/point of impact.
The Combat Magnum is one of the truly great carry guns. I know you will enjoy yours.
Jim

 

[TNDave]

That is a very nice gun. It is a fine carry gun in everyway. The Lobo bolsters are a good choice. I have been carrying a revolver similar to yours in one of their enhanced pancake holsters and have been very pleased. If you develop the skill to put two rounds from the leather on target in times hovering around 1.5 seconds you will be well armed.

 

[stevieboy]

A superb handgun. I have a 19-3 also in 2 1/2" and it is my favorite. I am much more self confident with this gun than I am with my 9mm semiauto. It is my sole carry piece.

For carry purposes you might consider a Sourdough Pancake holster from Simply Rugged. It's designed as an outside the waistband (OWB) holster but Simply Rugged can sell it as a package that makes it suitable for inside the waistband (IWB) carry. Their basic model sells for $65, they offer delivery within 2-4 weeks and often beat that deadline, and the quality of the product is superb. It holds the gun close to the body and is ideal for concealment whether worn OWB or IWB. Simply Rugged has a website and sells its products online.

I fire my 19 exclusively with .38s. .357 is a pretty robust round and the recoil can be rough on hands/wrists. I find it to be much tougher to hold the gun on target for quick followups firing .357s. Also, there is a lot of literature out there suggesting that most .357 rounds lose their effectiveness when fired from short barreled guns like your 19 due to dissipation of energy. Thus, firing a .357 from your gun might produce an immense flash, an ear-shattering boom, and stout recoil, but may not, in the final analysis, be all that much more effective than .38 special fired from the same gun. In any event, the more energetic version of .38, .38+P, seems to work fine for me.

The key to shooting a gun like this is practice, practice, practice. I'd emphasize that if you intend this to be your defensive weapon.

Enjoy your 19!!

 

[sw44spl]

+100 to all that was said. you have the best for a carry gun.

 

[glenncal1]

Nice gift from Dad. Good carry gun. About a bazillion LE officers have carried K frame S&W's of various models before most have been forced to transition to high capacity autoloaders. You will see many posts about how the miss their revolvers or how happy they are to have had the chance to buy and keep the guns for personal use. Take good care of that gun and you can give it to your son.

 

[357 Mag]

Thanks to all of you for the great info and suggestions
I really learned some great tips from you guys.

Both the Lobo and the Simply Rugged holsters look very well made compared to the stuff I was just randomly finding through google searches. I think I'll purchase between one of those brands.

 

[wantmoresmiths]

Sorry to rain on the parade here, but I recently purchased a 2.5" model 66 with the hopes of using it as a concealed carry gun. Fortunately I decided to give it a try at a local PCCA (Pocket carry competition association) match. What I found, is that the short ejector rod on the 2.5" barrel K frame does not completely eject the empty brass, even when using .38 special ammunition. I realize that statistically many if not most defensive situations are settled with less than the 6 rounds carried in the 19/66, but I for one certainly don't want to be pulling empties from the cylinder before I can reload in a real life situation. Don't get me wrong, I really like this gun, but this issue has me quite concerned. I am considering having the cylinder cut for moonclips which would allow me to remove all 6 empties at once, as well as speeding up the reloading process. Still another option is selling the 2.5" barrel version, and trying to find a reasonably priced 3" version, since they have a full length ejector rod. I suspect probability of that happening is slightly less than none. I might just have to go with a M&P 40C. I am certainly open to any suggestions.

 

[papajohn428]

I've never had a problem with the short ejector rod on the shorter barrels.....I point the gun straight up, smack the ejector rod smartly with my left hand, and the empties fly down and out like they were spring-driven. If the rounds tend to hang up, have the ejector star alignment checked, and/or the chambers polished. It's a fixable condition.

 

[IraIII]

If your cylinder is clean, and smooth, and you reload with the muzzle vertical, as you should to keep residue from getting under the extractor you should not have a problem with the short extractor on the 2 1/2 barrel models. The 3 barrel models are in high demand right now, and prices are almost double the 2 1/2 models. If you want a 3 inch barrel for the long extractor, I suggest the models 13, and 65. In these models 3 inch barrels are much more reasonable, and the fixed sights are better for concealed carry, as less prone to snag.
I like the 19, or 66 as I prefer adjustable sights, and would not be bothered by the shorter extractor, but I find that I can carry my 13, and 19 with a 4 inch barrel just as easily as the snubs since it is the width that is a problem, not the length.
Great model 19 you have by the way.

 

[Tunachaser]

I don't think you could do any better for CC, especially since you already have it. For CC that is as accurate and reliable as anything else you could hide, and I would put up against any 4" as a matter of fact I realy don't shoot my 4" Python any better than the 2.5" 19-4. just saying. You have a winner.

 

[Sportsterguy]

Glad you have your Dads 19 and know he is too. The 19 & 66 snubs are the best K frame for CC out there IMO as you can dial in different loads. I highly recommend 158 gr. Speer Gold Dot .357's for your load if you are used to shooting magnums. If they will take down a 170 lb. deer I figure from my deer hunting experiences they are good enough for me for SD and your revolver will last longer. If you haven't mastered the .357 load in that revolver buy some .38+ P's and you will still be well armed as there is a stout difference with the .357's recoil and muzzle blast.

I have a 3" 66 that I used to carry years ago (until the prices skyrocketed) and just recently bought and am swapping over to a 2.5" 66 when my Lobo IWB holster arrives. I've been practicing with it and have had zero problems ejecting the spent cases, even with the magnum loads using the suggestions you have read. I first gave the bore and cylinders a THOROUGH cleaning and treated them and the external surfaces with Militec-1 lube/conditioner as directed. Removed the sideplate and cleaned the innards up then sparingly applied Militec-1 grease to the the contact surfaces. Feels like a new trigger job! I cannot recommend this Militec-1 enough.

Another suggestion I can make is to swap them skinny grips out. Ahrends makes a smooth and finger groove round butt grip that really improves my grip and accuracy. I buy the FG's and sand the FG's down for a perfect fit. After sanding apply a couple coats of poly and they look brand new. If you have small hands like me their Boot Grips are fantastic for concealment and Eagle makes a fine Boot Grip also. I did lightly sand down the sharp checkering on my Eagles so they would not snag on my shirt.

Over the years I've owned many of the big named holsters and paid dearly for them. Ray at Lobo makes a quality product that will serve you well at half+ the price and without a 6-12 month wait and they are high quality rigs. I bought a used, 3 year old Avenger style holster for my Colt Commander and its a great range/winter carry holster. It is still holding up very well and is a good looking holster. Cannot wait for my new black Lobo IWB to arrive and also bought a Safariland speed strip pouch that will hold 2 speed strips in case I need them.

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new 19!

 

[redlevel]

Congratulations on a fine piece. Also, thanks for the opportunity for me to show off my 19-3 and the Lobogunleather Threepersons holster.

 

[C Islander]

I carry a 66 2.5. You'll never feel under gunned. Congratulations on a fine revolver.

 

[redsfan2]

Have a 66 as well because I couldn't find a model 19 2 1/2" Thats the gun that I listed over on whats the hardest Smith for you to find thread. ... My 4" model 19 is a beaut .. and I love it .. a bit big for cc tho.
Never noticed an ejector problem with my 66 .. I'll have to pay attention next time I'm out.

 

[sw282]

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[sw282]

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[slowburninsteve]

My model 19

Just couldn't miss the chance to show off my 2.5 inch model 19 with Ahrends grips, made for the Diplomatic Security Service. It was a good find!
Steve