Mod 19-4 info?

[65Whelen]

Looking at a 19-4, 4" nickel plated, pinned and recessed 3-screw. Serial# 42K5xxx. Any info is appreciated. Shipping date? What are the design changes included on the -4 series? Advantages disadvantages of this particular model.

 

[sandspur6]

Manufactured about 1978-79. Don't have access to my catalog right now, so can't help with the technical info.

 

[k22fan]

For about a year and a half ending in 1977 S&W cheapened only their K frames by not installing the gas rings they'd used in all revolvers since before 1900. Gas rings extend under the barrel cylinder gap to keep lead fouling out of the center of the cylinder. S&W has machined some cylinders so the ring is part of the same piece of steel as the cylinder but traditionally they were pressed in tubes. K frames made without a gas ring in the cylinder are said to have a "gas ring on the yoke," but in reality just do not have one. After firing lead bullets their cylinders may need to be slipped off the yoke and cleaned. Eventually S&W admitted that fouling getting past their "gas ring on the yoke" was causing a rough double action pull and went back to installing gas rings in K frame cylinders. At that time they increased blued adjustable sighted K frame dash numbers to 4.

As you apparently know they did not increase the dash number again when they stopped pinning barrels and recessing magnum cylinders about 1981.

 

[loeman]

Here's my 6 inch, nickel Md 19-4.

 

[markepilot]

19-4

That's a pretty model 19! Here's mine ready to "Rock And Roll".
It's one of my favorites in my collection. It's complete with correct box , tools, and paperwork.

 

[jmace57]

I have a 2 1/2" & 4" nickel and want one of these really bad!

Here's my 6 inch, nickel Md 19-4.

 

[loeman]

You are correct, Md 19s really are pretty, especially in nickel. Yours is awesome. I rescued mine from a pawn shop about 4 years ago. It had original stocks but no box etc. I do love nickel!

 

[k22fan]

You are correct, Md 19s really are pretty, [...]

Not necessarily so. Like my cat, I adopted one of mine out of less than ideal circumstances. The prettiest thing about it is how it groups.

 

[KEN L]

Looking at a 19-4, 4" nickel plated, pinned and recessed 3-screw. Serial# 42K5xxx. Any info is appreciated. Shipping date? What are the design changes included on the -4 series? Advantages disadvantages of this particular model.

Possibly Oct/Nov 1978. The biggest advantage for collectibility, the -4 were the last of the pinned/recessed Model 19's. Much more interest to collectors than -5 or later guns.

 

[Gordondet]

Not necessarily so. Like my cat, I adopted one of mine out of less than ideal circumstances. The prettiest thing about it is how it groups.

That counts. Its like the beat to hell truck that always starts, you can wring the hell out of it and it always is ready to go. It just does it's job.