model 19 or Sec Six

[Slyk54]

Let me say at the outset, I know I am posting on a Smith forum....

Now with that out of the way, I have an option to purchase a S&W model 19; 4" blue steel. The gun has the associated blue wear from carry and wood grips equally worn; not bad but the gun evidences what I suspect is a life of service in a LE holster somewhere. The bad news; while single action function appears sound, upon trying to pull the trigger double action it will bind. Just a bit of pressure on the cylinder will release the binding and the gun will pull through. I have researched possible causes/cures for this issue, and I think it may not be a terribly expensive fix, but not being a smith, I really don't know. The gun could be purchased for around $250. In the alternative, I can obtain a 4" barrel, blue steel security six, which appears to function correctly. This gun would run $339.

I have heard via that source of all factual knowledge, the internet that some model 19s can shoot loose over time with a diet of full house magnums. The security six carries no such reputation. The smith is, a smith after all, and has long been a bit of a grail gun for me.

I would love to hear ideas on which way to go.

Thanks!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

The SS six is a fine old gun, but the 19 will always be worth more.

It sounds like someone fitted a new hammer and didn't get the double action sear fitted just right. It may also need a thorough cleaning if it was indeed carried in a LEO's holster for a long time. If you get it, you should still be able to get it going properly for less than, or equal to, what the Ruger will run you.

 

[HUMONGO]

Get the 19, Duh.

 

[flagman1776]

I love my S&Ws, so am bias... I don't know what it would cost to get the M19 squared away. It depends on what the local rate is & access to a good 'smith. It's cheap because it needs work. If you don't have a good revolver man, I'd wait for one that is right.
SS is good solid workhorse gun but none ever spoke to me.
Russ

 

[dbarale]

I love the Ruger Sixes. I carry a 2.75" all the time and a 4" is the "house gun".
They are tough, reliable work horses and will happily digest a steady diet of full-load 357's.
So my vote is for....the 19.
Unless you are looking for a work gun the 19 will always be a more refined, more enjoyable gun IMHO. Any good gunsmith should be able to fix it or, if you are a good tinkerer, get an instruction DVD and give a try yourself. It will make even more "special" to you.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I'm lucky in that I have a Model 66 with a 2.5 inch barrel, and a Security Six with a 4.0 inch long barrel. I'd been looking for a nice, used Security Six with the 4.0 inch barrel at a good price for some time when I finally found mine at a gun show at $320.00. It was a little high, perhaps, but it had been on the grail list for a long time. My opinion is that the Ruger is a good work or "truck" gun. It isn't elegant, but it is brute strong and plenty accurate. The S&W will always be my favorite. Better trigger, more refined design and appearance, overall just a more elegant firearm. I guess, to put things in perspective, I'd wear the Smith to a Bar-B-Que, but would have used the Ruger to get put the meat on the table to begin with!

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[Jack Flash]

I haven't been in the market for a Ruger, but I really believe you could beat that price on a Security Six. Used Rugers, especially holster-worn examples that are still excellent shooters, are usually extremely reasonably priced.

You will never beat that price on a M19. (Ok, you may beat it if you find one that has been dragged behind a truck or something, but not on one in reasonable condition.) I suspect a good cleaning is all it will take to set things right with this M19.

Does that help at all? Either revolver will serve you well. You don't really say what you want it for, but it sounds like your need isn't particularly urgent, so spending time getting the M19 up and running would not be a deal-killer.

Rugers have a great reputation for strength and reliability. You would never go wrong choosing one for home defense or just all around use. It will easily digest all the full-power .357s you can shoot through it in your lifetime, and still be ready for many more.

The Model 19 is on S&W's K-Frame, so it isn't as stout as the Ruger. That doesn't mean it's weak or flimsy. Most people shoot .38 Specials in them and only occaisionally fire .357s, so for "most people" shooting an M19 loose will never happen. If it does, it can be set right in short order. My guess is the M19 will handle all the .357s you care to shoot through it, unless you are in the top 10% of dedicated revolver shooters nation wide.

It sounds like the S&W is what you are leaning toward. I always regret not buying the one I really want. Again, hope this is helpful.

 

[Ga Johnny]

I've got 2 4in 19's, a 2.5in 66, a speed six and a service six, as you can tell...........I like 'um all

if it were me I'd buy the ruger (for about 275-300 if I could) and save the headache on the smith, model 19's aren't that hard to find,


matter a fact ones that work are easier to find than ones that are broke.............so on secord thought that broke 19 maybe some sort rare collectable, prolly oughta buy it

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, FWIW, I would not buy a broken gun. Fixing them almost always requires more work/money than you expect.

Buy the Ruger or wait for another 19 that actually works.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Three44s]

That Ruger is over priced ....... but it's the better of the two guns if you can get them to lower the price.

And if you can't ..... get the 19 if you feel lucky and let a good Gun Smith check it out.

I like the over all toughness of the Security Six but the sweet trigger of Smiths are hard to ignore.

Three 44s

 

[roaddog28]

Let me say at the outset, I know I am posting on a Smith forum....

Now with that out of the way, I have an option to purchase a S&W model 19; 4" blue steel. The gun has the associated blue wear from carry and wood grips equally worn; not bad but the gun evidences what I suspect is a life of service in a LE holster somewhere. The bad news; while single action function appears sound, upon trying to pull the trigger double action it will bind. Just a bit of pressure on the cylinder will release the binding and the gun will pull through. I have researched possible causes/cures for this issue, and I think it may not be a terribly expensive fix, but not being a smith, I really don't know. The gun could be purchased for around $250. In the alternative, I can obtain a 4" barrel, blue steel security six, which appears to function correctly. This gun would run $339.

I have heard via that source of all factual knowledge, the internet that some model 19s can shoot loose over time with a diet of full house magnums. The security six carries no such reputation. The smith is, a smith after all, and has long been a bit of a grail gun for me.

I would love to hear ideas on which way to go.

Thanks!

I would buy the model 19 only if I could get it for less than $250.00. A gunsmith can fix the action problem and then you would have a good shooter. Model 19s have excellent resale value out in California. They run $475.00 to $550.00 for shooters. That being said if you can make a deal get both. The Security Six is a excellent revolver and yes it will handle 357s all the time. Smith and Wesson recommended shooting 158g 357 ammo in the model 19. And Smith also recommended only in limited amounts. Security Sixes run from $350.00 to $400.00 for a good one in California.
Good luck,
roaddog28

 

[dkees]

M19........................just because

 

[Sven]

I agree with others -- the Security Six makes a great truck gun (Jeep gun in my case). Mine's a 4" stainless steel with rubber Pachmayr Presentation grips -- perfect!

I guess I'd try to buy the Smith for less than $250, give it a good thorough cleaning and go from there. Broken, dirty or ugly guns usually don't sell real fast, so you might try and find out how long it's been for sale and use that as a bargaining chip. I watched a filthy 4" Python with broken competition style grips sit on a shelf for over 6 months before they finally came down to a price I was willing to pay. Cleaned up great and shoots like a Python!

 

[s3dcor]

Ron H is right when he says he wont buy a gun that needs repair. I bought a bargain pre-28 with firing problems in double action. By the time I get it repaired it will have cost more than it is worth. Some lessons you just have to learn the hard way.

 

[ElToro]

do both !

if you can't do both, get the 19 and i'd bet you S&W would tune it up cheaper than any local smith. and probly slick up the action while its there.

 

[Frizzman]

Unless you know exactly what is wrong with the 19 and how much it will take and cost to repair, I would pass, even for the low price. I have both a 4" M19-3 and a Ruger SS 4" stainless that I bought back in 1976. The 19 was purchased used in the early 80's. I have carried and shot the heck out of the Ruger. The M19 has had a more sheltered life. The Ruger has been carried in all sorts of weather from intense heat and humidity to blizzard conditions. It froze in my holster while directing traffic once at a overturned truck accident in heavy snow and intense cold. I discovered that after getting back into the patrol car. Thawed it out and stripped and dried and oiled that night. No problem.

The Ruger has endured my handloads, some rather too hot I believe. It has had thousands of rounds through it and even survived falling off the roof of a moving car...I never let that friend use my revolver again. The ability to field strip the Ruger and get dirt/dust/moisture/sweat out completely has been a real good feature. I fell into a stream once while hunting and we both got dunked. I wasn't able to take care of the Ruger until a day later...no problem.

I love the 19 and have carried it and shot it a lot. But, it just isn't as durable. An M16 compared to the Ruger's Ak47. I bought the Ruger because I couldn't find or afford what I really wanted in 1977. That was a 19 or 66. I have never regretted buying it.

Security Sixes in nice condition are fairly scarce and pricey in these parts. Nice m19's are too. If it is for hard use, the Ruger is just a tougher gun. I like the Security Six much more than the anchor like GP100.

 

[roaddog28]

Unless you know exactly what is wrong with the 19 and how much it will take and cost to repair, I would pass, even for the low price. I have both a 4" M19-3 and a Ruger SS 4" stainless that I bought back in 1976. The 19 was purchased used in the early 80's. I have carried and shot the heck out of the Ruger. The M19 has had a more sheltered life. The Ruger has been carried in all sorts of weather from intense heat and humidity to blizzard conditions. It froze in my holster while directing traffic once at a overturned truck accident in heavy snow and intense cold. I discovered that after getting back into the patrol car. Thawed it out and stripped and dried and oiled that night. No problem.

The Ruger has endured my handloads, some rather too hot I believe. It has had thousands of rounds through it and even survived falling off the roof of a moving car...I never let that friend use my revolver again. The ability to field strip the Ruger and get dirt/dust/moisture/sweat out completely has been a real good feature. I fell into a stream once while hunting and we both got dunked. I wasn't able to take care of the Ruger until a day later...no problem.

I love the 19 and have carried it and shot it a lot. But, it just isn't as durable. An M16 compared to the Ruger's Ak47. I bought the Ruger because I couldn't find or afford what I really wanted in 1977. That was a 19 or 66. I have never regretted buying it.

Security Sixes in nice condition are fairly scarce and pricey in these parts. Nice m19's are too. If it is for hard use, the Ruger is just a tougher gun. I like the Security Six much more than the anchor like GP100.

I completely agree. I have two model 66s and I love shooting them. But I also have Ruger Police Service 4 inch. Without a doubt the Service Six is more durable and can take it over my two 66s. Service Six has seen everything and needs little care. Like I said in my earlier post unless you can buy the 19 cheap or make a deal on both I would pass.

Good luck,
roaddog28

 

[user]

Keep looking. The 19 should not be used with ammunition less than 158 grain bullet weight, anyway (and I wouldn't use .38's in a gun chambered for .357). Save your pennies and buy something that works, unless you're a gunsmith.

 

[CITYREPO61]

I have both like several posters here.
I have 4 model 19s, (2 4inchers, a 6 incher and a 2 incher) and a 2.5 inch model 66. So you could say I am partial to the model 19! Saying that, I wouldn't buy a 19 that wasn't working right. By the time you get it right you would be into it for more than it's worth especially if you factor in pain in the neck time to drop off, test fire, follow up with the smith.... It's also a crap shoot as it could be something simple like giving it a good cleaning. (I had an AR-7 and an FA91 like that, both were bought for a GREAT deal and then I got lucky as all heck because all they both needed were good cleanings).
All that said, the Ruger is a tank but the 19 is a work of art.

So you have to ask yourself "if you feel luck?" Well do ya!

 

[tac803]

I own both. The Ruger was my first gun in 1977. You can't beat the trigger on a Smith, but the Ruger is one tough gun. I wouldn't buy a smith that needed fixin' unless it was a screaming good deal. Given your circumstances, I'd get the Ruger. Hey, it's not like getting married...if you don't like it, trade it in for something else!