Model 19-2 vs 19-3

[fourb20]

I have a dash 2 and a dash 3, both in 6". The dash 3 has a patridge front sight while the dash 2 has a rectangular front sight.
What other changes are there between the two and which is more desirable? Both are great shooters.

 

[D Brown]

Can you expand on the differences between your front sights?

To me, Patridge and rectangular would both be apt descriptions for the exact same sight profile.

 

[Bumpus13]

Can you expand on the differences between your front sights?

To me, Patridge and rectangular would both be apt descriptions for the exact same sight profile.

That’s what I was thinking, too.

My 19-4 has a patridge sight:

 

[Hair Trigger]

What other changes are there between the two and which is more desirable? Both are great shooters.

No significant engineering changes between the M19-2 and -3. The dash 2 still has the diamond stocks, (they ended on all guns ca. 1968). The rear sight leaf screw was moved on the -3, and the later half of dash-3 production have the gas ring as part of the yoke, it was moved there from the cylinder, without an engineering change; it was moved back to the cylinder when the dash-4 was released.
Front sights were an option and both the -2 and -3 could have either the Bauman ramp or the Patridge, but usually the Patridge is only seen on the 6" barrels.

Either dash number is a desirable gun, IMO older is better as a collectible. I have a dash-3 from 1974.

 

[JP@AK]

Sights were optional - Patridge or Baughman. This has nothing to do with the -2 to -3 change.

The real difference between the two is the -2 has the rear sight leaf screw located directly above the barrel/cylinder gap. On the -3 it was moved forward, away from the gap.

 

[petemacmahon]

Just me, but as I put more rounds down range and get older, I've started preferring guns with certain attributes over whether or not one dash is better than another or if it's P&R or has a target trigger and hammer.

Mind you this only goes so far, as I still don't own one with the ____ lock.

I have two Model 19s. A -4 and a -5. The dash 4 is P&R but has a serrated trigger. The dash 5 is not P&R, but has a smooth trigger. Both shoot well, but I like shooting the dash 5 much better because of that one thing. Give me a smooth or better yet, a smooth wide trigger face any day over a serrated trigger. Oh, and I shoot DAO all the time, so trigger feel is key.

 

[Road Rat]

I found this about the Model 19............

“pre”...............(1955) Thanks to S&W and Bill Jordan, introduced at K260001
19..................(1957) Stamping of model number
19-1...............(1959) Change extractor rod, right to left hand thread
19-2...............(1961) Delete trigger guard screw, change cylinder stop
.....................(1963) 50 made with 2-1/2” barrel; K544672-K544721
.....................(1966) 2-1/2” barrel introduced as standard
19-3...............(1967) Relocate rear sight leaf screw
66..................(1970) Introduced at K949100
19-4 (66-1)......(1977) Move gas ring from yoke to cylinder
19-5 (66-2)......(1982) Eliminate cylinder counterbore and pinned barrel
66-3...............(1986) New yoke screw, floating hand, and hammer nose bushing
19-6...............(1988) New yoke screw, floating hand, and hammer nose bushing
19-7 (66-4)......(1994) New rear leaf sight, drill and tap frame, change extractor, and Uncle Mike’s synthetic grips.
.....................(1995) Delete square butt
.....................(1997) Change to MIM thumbpiece and trigger
19-8 (66-5).....(1998) Sep – Change to MIM hammer and floating firing pin
.....................(1999) Discontinue 2-1/2” barrel
.....................(1999) Nov – Model 19 discontinued

 

[JohnRippert]

At least on the 4inch guns, aren't the front sights on the -2's a separate addition while the -3's are integral to the barrel?

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