M19-3 Grip Question …?

[Frank Black]

Model 19 experts:

A while back I can into a well-used but still tight, and very accurate, Model 19-3 with a 4” barrel. Ser. # puts it about 1971-ish.

However, it was wearing aftermarket grips. They’re okay but obviously not factory. I’d like to find what would be the ‘correct’ grips - same as what any 4” 19-3 of that era would’ve worn coming out of the shipping box.

I’m seeing a lot of model 19 S&W factory grips floating around at gun shows, on eBay, and the auction sites. All in various conditions of wear and use, from nearly pristine to beat-to-snot. Some are square-butt, some round-butt.

What am I looking for? SB, RB? I’m okay with an honest amount of wear (not abuse) since a pair of *somewhat* worn grips would actually match the condition of this revolver.

Pics, if you have them, would be helpful in my search!

Thanks in advance.

 

[StrawHat]

…

What am I looking for? SB, RB? I’m okay with an honest amount of wear (not abuse) since a pair of *somewhat* worn grips would actually match the condition of this revolver.

Pics, if you have them, would be helpful in my search!

Thanks in advance.

“…Pics … would be helpful…”

Yes, they would! From you! As for rb or SB, your revolver will tell you.

Kevin

 

[old bear]

Frank, your M 19-2 should be S/B, generally they came with target grips. Hope you enjoy your new revolver.

 

[Masterbuck54]

Stocks

Frank congratulations on the new addition.

I have two of them..both came with dia targets.

Ship dates of Oct 1962 & July 1969.

No letters on either but can only assume they both shipped with these.

Masterbuck54

 

[kscharlie]

The 19-2 was made from 1961 to 1967. The diamond was deleted from the stocks in 1968. Assuming a square butt, the correct stocks would have been the diamond centered football relief stocks, as shown in pics. Model 19 came standard with target stocks.

Hope this helps.

 

[snw19_357]

...Model 19-2 with a 4” barrel. Ser. # puts it about 1971-ish.

If it's a -2 the serial number would put it earlier. If the serial number makes it 1971 it should be a -3.
I would think a 4" would have a square butt but have seen plenty of 4" RB so not sure which yours is.

 

[murphydog]

If it is a standard 4" square butt model 19 from 1971, no question it would have had checkered Target stocks, Goncalo Alves, "football" or extractor cutout, no diamond. Figure $75-100 for an appropriate set.

 

[Frank Black]

If it's a -2 the serial number would put it earlier. If the serial number makes it 1971 it should be a -3.
I would think a 4" would have a square butt but have seen plenty of 4" RB so not sure which yours is.

See OP as EDITED ... I screwed up, guys!

SNW19 is correct. My mine is a 19-3, not -2. Apologies for the confusion.

Everything else in the OP still applies. ... Yeah, I'm confused on the SB v. RB for 4" 19-3s.

 

[snw19_357]

4" round butt

4" square butt

 

[Frank Black]

4" round butt

4" square butt

Perfect, thanks!

By the way, ser. # on mine: 2K467XX, so 1971.

Will update with pics later, but this 19-3 has a black ramp on the frt sight, i.e., no red/orange area.

 

[Walter Rego]

This one is within a couple hundred numbers of Frank Black's. I've always found it interesting that the Model 19's that came with the standard Service Trigger and hammer had the Target Stocks installed rather than Magnas which you would usually see on guns that didn't have a Target Trigger and Target Hammer.

 

[Engine49guy]

As others have stated a 19-3 is different than a 19-2, although they look identical to the untrained eye the rear site units don't interchange, the 19-2 is from the diamond stock era where the 19-3 was the first to get the then new non diamond stocks, they will both fit either gun but most want period correct.

The Combat Magnum was an upscale model and was introduced in 1955-56 with a 4" barrel only and target stocks , the 6" version appears around 1963 IIRC with target stocks followed by the 2.5" snub round butt that came with the smaller Magna style as it was primarily a concealed carry gun.
In the earlier 50's and 60's versions the target stocks could be made of Walnut, Goncalo Alves or the less frequently encountered darker Rosewood, most were checkered but some were smooth "aka presentation" style.
With the introduction of the Combat Magnun SW began cutting a football shaped relief cut to add some clearance for extraction of cases.
This changed to a "Speed loader" cutout sometime in the early 80's IIRC.
A 4" 19-3 from the 70-72 era would most likely have non diamond checkered GA targets IMO.
Walnut stocks were avaiable at that point but I think of them as being more likely found on non Magnum K target revolvers.
SB Magna stocks will fit if you prefer buy not be correct as it came from the factory.
Note as with everything SW there were always exceptions to the rules.
If your gun is high condition and you want to show it off I like the presentation style as they show the wood grain much better.

 

[Engine49guy]

Ps,
Thought this might be a good opportunity to revive an old thread started by our friend SNW19_357 many years ago about all things Model 19, plenty of pics there to compare stocks.

The ultimate Model 19/66 Combat Magnum thread

 

[Frank Black]

Further Update w/ Pics

Further update w/ pics ....

Thanks for the previous input from the K-frame grip experts.

A buddy has a stash of grips for various revolvers and semi-autos and gave the S&W grips in the pics to me. We're still working out a price. Next to it are the aftermarket grips with finger-grooves that were on the gun when I bought it.

The S&W grips are what I believe are SB grips for a K-frame, although my buddy wasn't sure. They fit right on but still appear large to me. At first I thought they were for an N-frame. I also don't think they are GA wood, as they are darker than other GA grips I've seen.

Attached are two pics taken yesterday .... Correct or no?

Let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

 

[cleger]

Score! Very nice pair of rosewood grips.

I'm glad you posted that photo, because I have a pair of rosewood diamonds, and I was wondering if I could swap them onto my ca. 1967 19-2, but wasn't sure if rosewood were used that late. Mystery solved! Thanks!

 

[gmarshall99]

Well I learned something new today. I thought I read somewhere that the only RB model 19’s were those with a 2” barrel.

 

[Truckman]

Attached are two pics taken yesterday .... Correct or no?

Let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

The fit looks right from this distance...I'm still learning to distinguish rosewood from Goncalo Alves from balsa, so I'll let someone else determine which tree they grew out of......Ben

 

[cleger]

The fit looks right from this distance...I'm still learning to distinguish rosewood from Goncalo Alves from balsa, so I'll let someone else determine which tree they grew out of......Ben

Definitely rosewood. Top to bottom - walnut, rosewood, goncalo alves.

 

[Retired W4]

Rosewood almost always exhibits deep pores that are very noticeable. The pores really can not be covered up.

By that I mean no amount of sanding will get rid of them. Sand away and the pores are still there.

 

[Vtgw938]

Rosewood almost always exhibits deep pores that are very noticeable. The pores really can not be covered up.

By that I mean no amount of sanding will get rid of them. Sand away and the pores are still there.

Rosewood seems to vary a lot, especially with S&W stocks. Makers like Guy Hogue seemed to use very dark, porous rosewood which is easier to distinguish.

Here is what I ID as Rosewood (S&W K): Note the pores.

Here is what I ID as Goncalo (S&W N):