Hi all,
I've had my Mod. 19-4 for about 11 years. It's a 2.5" ins. bbl (P&R). Pretty basic. Shiny Blue finish, Magna grips, standard black sights; no inserts/outlines, etc. For reference, it cost me exactly $350 total around 2001 in Texas. It was a decent deal at the time and place for a great condition S&W .357 Magnum. It's always been a great shooter. I'm thankful that DA Revolvers like this were key to my formal training because I think it helped me transition better to semi-autos. Indeed, I use my M19 as one of the true gauges of my accuracy: If I can hit target at 15-25 yards with a good, fairly tight grouping: I'm on my game.
1. Serial is 80K70xx; this means 1980 mfg. date, yes/no?
2. What's this about no further support of K frames like these at S&W? I still see M19 parts and prices on their site; is this phantom? Where else do we go for servicing. About 8-9 years back, I contacted them regarding basic servicing and it was a bit more expensive than my salary allowed. As a result, I just never got to it. Now I may regret that.
3. What is the number stamped inside the yoke arm itself? It doesn't really correspond with the serial. It's "C4" over "77547". Was this a donor replacement part or is that just a part number?
The reason behind asking #3 is that there is dinging on the front sight blade like it was dropped or hit against something sorta' hard before I got it. It wasn't me and I didn't notice this for weeks after buying until I gave it an extra-thorough cleaning. It's possible that it jammed the upper-corner of the barrel against the frame ever slightly, causing a tiny burr there. This has apparently not affected accuracy nor safety.
There's also signs that someone got into the lockwork by the sideplate, or tried to. They used a tapered screwdriver which is how I know. Again, not immediately obvious the day I bought it. I have had no problems with the revolver whatsoever so I've dismissed all this as cosmetic. But I am wondering if there is actually more to this and if the yoke is original?
Which takes us back to #2. After 11 years and a lot of spent brass, it's a little loose in the lock-up. Timing and gapping is fine but there's a slight amount of play if you rotate the cylinder. Not as bad as most used reviolvers I've handled and certainly better than the loosey-goosey revolvers they taught us on. But being it's a S&W and a highly coveted example at that, I'd like to have it serviced eventually. A parts shortage could hamper that if one develops.
Thanks in advance.
RF
I've had my Mod. 19-4 for about 11 years. It's a 2.5" ins. bbl (P&R). Pretty basic. Shiny Blue finish, Magna grips, standard black sights; no inserts/outlines, etc. For reference, it cost me exactly $350 total around 2001 in Texas. It was a decent deal at the time and place for a great condition S&W .357 Magnum. It's always been a great shooter. I'm thankful that DA Revolvers like this were key to my formal training because I think it helped me transition better to semi-autos. Indeed, I use my M19 as one of the true gauges of my accuracy: If I can hit target at 15-25 yards with a good, fairly tight grouping: I'm on my game.
1. Serial is 80K70xx; this means 1980 mfg. date, yes/no?
2. What's this about no further support of K frames like these at S&W? I still see M19 parts and prices on their site; is this phantom? Where else do we go for servicing. About 8-9 years back, I contacted them regarding basic servicing and it was a bit more expensive than my salary allowed. As a result, I just never got to it. Now I may regret that.
3. What is the number stamped inside the yoke arm itself? It doesn't really correspond with the serial. It's "C4" over "77547". Was this a donor replacement part or is that just a part number?
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The reason behind asking #3 is that there is dinging on the front sight blade like it was dropped or hit against something sorta' hard before I got it. It wasn't me and I didn't notice this for weeks after buying until I gave it an extra-thorough cleaning. It's possible that it jammed the upper-corner of the barrel against the frame ever slightly, causing a tiny burr there. This has apparently not affected accuracy nor safety.
There's also signs that someone got into the lockwork by the sideplate, or tried to. They used a tapered screwdriver which is how I know. Again, not immediately obvious the day I bought it. I have had no problems with the revolver whatsoever so I've dismissed all this as cosmetic. But I am wondering if there is actually more to this and if the yoke is original?
Which takes us back to #2. After 11 years and a lot of spent brass, it's a little loose in the lock-up. Timing and gapping is fine but there's a slight amount of play if you rotate the cylinder. Not as bad as most used reviolvers I've handled and certainly better than the loosey-goosey revolvers they taught us on. But being it's a S&W and a highly coveted example at that, I'd like to have it serviced eventually. A parts shortage could hamper that if one develops.
Thanks in advance.
RF
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