Model 19-3 Research Help Wanted

[MarkinGA]

I recently inherited an S&W .357 from my father when he passed away over the holidays. I wasn't sure how long it had been since he had used it so I sent it to S&W to be checked out. In addition to a question about a part they want to replace I was wondering if anyone had any historical tracking for this particular line of revolver. I've done a bit of browsing and from what I found it sounds like this particular gun was made in 1967. My Dad told me when I was a kid that he bought it used from a local gun store in Pittsburgh where we lived and that the owner claimed it had been a Pittsburgh police officers service revolver. That's all the info I have. The internal stamped numbers are:
4 K 2416
Mod. 19-3

The paperwork I received in the mail shows a few things S&W recommends and I was just looking for info on what it meant.

On the invoice:
Repair End Shake, Timing
Range Test
210650000 Hand Oversized K&F

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you.

Mark

 

[murphydog]

Hi, and welcome. The serial number puts it as 1973 production. The repairs mentioned are minor but I will leave it up to the armorers and gunsmiths to explain them better than I could.

 

[phils]

Very sorry about your losing your Dad. I think the paperwork means that they stopped the cylinder from going back and forth, the cylinder now lines up with the barrel throat, and an over sized hand was fitted to make the cylinder rotate properly and lock up. It's good to go.

 

[tlkuns]

I have a model 19-2 I got from my dad, I actually talked him into giving it to me. it also has a problem with a loose cylinder. I'll be taking it to a gunsmith for repairs next month. Dad purchased his from Warner Hardware in MPLS, MN sometime in the mid 60's. At that time it sold for $95.79 with tax. The bill of sale has the date and day but not the year.

 

[MarkinGA]

I paid for the repairs and received the gun back today. One thing that did come to mind is whether there are any ammunition types that I should refrain from using in a model this old? I don't want to damage it and am not sure if there are any recommendations typically made by S&W when a gun gets beyond a certain age. Or, can I use it with any acceptable .357 ammunition with no worries? Thanks in advance.

 

[murphydog]

Hi again. If you will be using it for general shooting, .38 Special loads of any kind are fine. For serious social purposes, any load (including .357s) in small amounts are OK. Many tend to stay away from full-load 125 gr JHP/JSP .357 ammo due to wear and tear on the gun. There are many .357 loads on the market that are much more powerful than any .38 Special but easier on the gun than a full .357, such as the Speer Short Barrel load.

The concern is that S & W no longer makes barrels for this model, and this is the part that will sustain the most damage from lots of .357s.

 

[jtpur]

My 19-3 starts with 2k88 and I bought it new in 1973 in the fall around October......I had mine repaired and they did the repair end shake thing too....great gun. Don't feed it a steady diet of .357 but if you want to put something in it for personal protection six rounds of .357 wont break the gun and will serve their purpose.