M19-3 vs 19-4

[GSP Fan]

What's the big difference between these two? Is one more desirable than the other?

 

[Engine49guy]

Condition, originality of package and barrel lengths being the same the difference is IIRC the dash 4 revision relocated the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder to prevent unspent powder from fouling the cylinder rotation.
Early 19-3's had a pinned ramp until around 1969 so early versions are kinda cool.

 

[wbraswell]

There is no reason to pay more for one just because of the -3 or -4, unless you are a serious collector who wants that particular engineering change. They shoot the same.

 

[local_dirt]

I have both. You should, too.

 

[bigfatty]

If you took the markings off of them, there is no real difference the average well informed revolver shooter will discern. Well-informed and discerning collectors will likely look at the cylinder/yoke for a subtle difference. As others have said, "they shoot the same." Great revolvers!

 

[Engine49guy]

Did u find two and deciding between them and
If so can you provide more details ?

 

[GSP Fan]

Yes. there are two on gun broker not my favorite platform to try and buy something but you have to do what's necessary. Both 4 inch 19-3 has Rosewood grips and blue with box. The 19-4 is 99% according to seller with the box and accessories nickel finish

 

[Birdgun]

The biggest difference to me between the 19-3 and the 19-4 is the factory target grips on the 19-4 generally has a cut out for speed loaders.

S&W Model 19-3 "Combat Magnum" in 357 Magnum without grip cut out.

S&W Model 17-4 "K-22 Masterpiece" in .22 Long Rifle with grip cut out.

Since I don't use speed loaders on my K-22, I've swapped the grips between these two revolvers. My 19-3 now has grips with a speed loader cutout.

Thanks for looking.

God bless,
Birdgun

 

[shootingfuntimes]

I read in a thread quite a while that some 14-4 were shipped as DAO. I have a DAO 14-4. Does anyone else have a DAO? Some police departments wanted the DAO as a safety. I don't want to get the factory letter if it wasn't sent from the factory that way. If there is a chance that others know if there are some sent out DAO, I may pay the price for the letter

 

[quikdraw67]

I read in a thread quite a while that some 14-4 were shipped as DAO. I have a DAO 14-4. Does anyone else have a DAO? Some police departments wanted the DAO as a safety. I don't want to get the factory letter if it wasn't sent from the factory that way. If there is a chance that others know if there are some sent out DAO, I may pay the price for the letter

No mention of a DAO Model 14 in the SCSW Vol 4 in any dash series.

There was a single action only variant available, as well as a conversion kit to modify traditional DA/SA guns to SAO.

I wouldn't think of the Model 14 as a LEO wheelgun. The 10, 13, 15, and 19 were more of what would come to mind for K frame police issue weapons.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Condition, originality of package and barrel lengths being the same the difference is IIRC the dash 4 revision relocated the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder to prevent unspent powder from fouling the cylinder rotation.

The gas ring existed as part of the yoke assembly a relatively short time. From the days of the .38 Hand Ejector, the gas ring was a pressed-in part of the cylinder, and early K frame .357's (pre M19's) were no different. Sometime around 1974-76 (middle of M19-3 production and latter part of M66 no dash), the change was made moving the gas ring to the yoke; for whatever the reason, an engineering change (new dash number) was not initiated. As a result, some M19-3's and M66 no-dashes have the ring on the yoke, others have it on the cylinder. It was later found not to improve prevention of fouling in the ejector rod tunnel, in fact it made it worse. The dash-4 change put the gas ring back where it originally was.

The gas ring-to-yoke change had other ramifications that affected every K-frame gun from then on, especially the Magnums. The yoke-mounted ring required a deeper relief cut at the bottom of the forcing cone, but when the gas ring was changed back to the cylinder, the deeper relief cut remained, and it's been the center of argument about cracking with some magnum loads ever since.

My M19-3 still has the cylinder-mounted gas ring, it's just old enough to have missed the change.

 

[GSP Fan]

The guns I was looking at didn't pan out but as they say everything happens for a reason. I took Local Dirt's advise and have a 19-3 Nickel and a 19-4 blued both with 4 inch barrels. I was going to just keep one but I like them both. Both guns came with the original box, paperwork and cleaning accessories. I don't think either one has had much use, the checkering on the grips is sharp with no flat spots or signs of wear.
Is the presentation case for the blued gun a special order or request by the original owner? I have a 29-2 and a 57 (both nickel) that came with the presentation case but never seen a M19 with one or one with the compartment for the cleaning accessories