Model 19-4

[fishinfart]

I am a new S&W owner. Been looking for a nice 357 at a decent price, and I think I finally found one today.

19-4, polished SS, 6", in very lightly used condition - $500
Beautiful gun that caught my eye as soon as I walked in to the LGS. He had just taken it on a trade.

Was this decent price and are there any particulars I need to watch out for in this model?

 

[damienph]

I think that $500 is a good price for a model 19 however M19s weren’t made in stainless; They were either blue or nickel plated. The stainless version of the model 19 is the model 66.

Both are fine revolvers.

And welcome to the forum!

 

[fishinfart]

Thanks damienph for the info.

I look forward to putting some rounds thru it soon. Ordered a die set tonight, already have everything else to get started.

 

[JP@AK]

Welcome to the S&W Forum.

At $500 you did very well for a nickel plated Combat Magnum, even with the 6" barrel, which seems to be the least popular length. For your first S&W revolver, you made a very good choice. You will be amazed at how nicely it performs on the range or in the field.

are there any particulars I need to watch out for in this model?

Yes. Since you are a handloader, I suggest you work up some good loads with 158 grain cast bullets. Jacketed is also fine.

Most will suggest that you stay away from light bullets, such as the 125 grain, with a K frame .357 Magnum. However, if your annual round count stays relatively low, you probably won't have a problem even with those.

Personally, I shoot a lot more .38 Special cartridges through my K and N frame .357s than I do magnum loads. They are cheaper to load and easier on the hand. I've sent thousands of midrange loads down range with mine over the past 50 years.

Have fun and be safe.

 

[minconrevo]

If it's a nickel 19 you'll need to look up the cleaning recommendations, which you can find on this forum. Some cleaning and conservation methods/materials are really bad for the nickel finish. Others work great.

Think you'll do fine with the 6" barrel. Personally I would not run magnum or heavy .38 Spl loads through it with bullets lighter than 158 gr.

 

[Hair Trigger]

500 bucks is a great price for a "shooter grade" M19, even better for one like new. The nickel finish will shine like chrome, but shows every fingerprint. If it has old crud that has dulled the finish and won't clean off with a 'regular' cleaning, try some Flitz polishing compound, it will clean the plating to a high luster, but don't overdo it. Get a silicone-impregnated cloth and wipe it down after a normal cleaning, to keep it looking nice. By 'normal', I mean how you'd clean any other high quality firearm. Regular powder solvent like Hoppes #9 won't hurt the finish, and a good quality oil used sparingly on the rotating parts is all you need.

If you shoot .38 Spl. loads in it, eventually a carbon ring will form inside the chambers at the case mouth, and chambering a longer .357 round may become difficult, so scrub the chambers well with a brass brush to keep the ring from forming.

Let's see some pictures of that bad boy.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Nice catch....... at a good price

a 19-4 will have a pinned barrel and recessed cylinder.....

These earlier 19s; "no dash" to -4s tend to bring more than later models

The bad news is the shorter the barrel the more it's worth to most folks.

 

[Deceasedeye]

Beginners luck, at some future time you'll probably look back on this $500 as the best deal you ever got. They are going for $850 to $1000.

 

[Stroker468]

SCORE!

You just bought what I think is THE best revolver model ever produced...and at a great price.

Photos please.

 

[fishinfart]

Thanks for all the info - Here's a pic - Came with Rogers Combat grips on it and dealer threw in a new pair too.

 

[lppd4]

I have the same gun in blue and it is a great shooter, bought it from a forum member here. Paid more than $500 and still feel like a got a decent deal

 

[stansdds]

Ok, your Model 19-4 is nickel plated and for $500, I think you did well. To determine if the finish is factory, remove the stocks and look at the grip frame on the left side, near the bottom you should see an "N" stamped into the frame.

 

[Deceasedeye]

Ok, your Model 19-4 is nickel plated and for $500, I think you did well. To determine if the finish is factory, remove the stocks and look at the grip frame on the left side, near the bottom you should see an "N" stamped into the frame.

Cylinder is also stamped with "N" this is not conclusive since cylinders can be changed, but good to know if you need a new cylinder.

 

[Narragansett]

OP, very nice find. If you cannot hit what you want with that it ain't gonna happen.

As others have said, stay away from the temptation to load hot 125 or less grain bullets at extreme velocities. You may crack your forcing cone and then you will be less than happy.

BTW did you open the cylinder and check the forcing cone for a crack? You would want to do that before you shoot it

 

[Hair Trigger]

I like that the gun has the Patridge front sight. Looks better than the Baughman ramp sight does on a 6" barrel, IMO. I wouldn't sweat the forcing cone, and 125 grain hot loads. It isn't likely the gun is going to come apart on you.

I'm on my 3rd M19/66, I had a M19-2 many years ago, looked like yours with the Patridge sight but was blue, and the 125 grain JHP was my favorite load. I had a M66-1 shortly after that and shot the same loads, and I shoot them in my present M19-3. Sure, I suppose something could happen, and although you do hear of a forcing cone cracking now and again, I'd hazard a guess it's more rare than common. My M66 had the same grips your gun has, at least they look identical. Very comfortable for a medium-size hand.

The only thing I'd worry about is that it is very difficult to only have one S&W revolver. You shoot that one a few times, you'll start looking for another one to keep it company.

And another one....and another....

 

[NY-1]

I'd say that most every Model 19 in decent shape at the $500 price point is a no-brainer purchase. My 2.5" Nickel Model 19-4 ran me $800 when I was lucky enough to come across it two months ago. I love the look of Nickel, but I almost don't want to handle it for fear of smudging that mirror-like finish.

 

[Zarr]

Welcome from Western Massachusetts. My 19-4 is blue, 4" and is one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy yours, and tell us all how she shoots after your trip to the range. Enjoy!

 

[fishinfart]

Thanks guys,

I do have an "M" on the grip and on the cylinder so must be original.

The forcing cone looks good, can't see any cracks.

I have a Round Nose, 150 gr, .358" mold that I plan on using to start with. Will powder coat the bullets so I shouldn't get any of that gummy wax on my new piece.

NY-1, that's a very nice round butt model you have there. lol Gotta make mine shine like that when I get time.

Hair Trigger - too late - Haven't shot it yet and already want another one!

 

[kraynky]

That's a great find for $500 bucks! And it should be a great shooter as well. I would be cautious using Hoppes #9 on a nickel finished firearm. I'm no chemist, but there's ammonia or something in the original Hoppes that can cause the nickel finish to loosen and flake off. I learned the hard way.

I had always used Hoppes #9 for cleaning guns since the 60's, so thought no different of it, until my model 638 (satin nickel) started flaking off under the grips. S&W refinished it for me under warranty, but I think it was my fault. You may try to Google it for more scientific info.

Congratulations! Looking forward to more pics after you shoot it.

 

[CH4]

Beautiful find and a nice price. I wish my most recent 19-4 was nickel.
A couple months ago I found a blue 2.5” 19-4 in a local pawn shop. Paid around $550 + tax. Snag em when you can!