Model 19... should I do it?

[W Fargo]

Hi gents,

I was looking for a nice model 29 when I saw a beautiful model 19-2 (maybe 19-3, I can't realy recall) with 4" barrel.
The blueing was still perfect, barrel looked good, lock up good, wooden grip in good/very good condition.
It simply was a very pretty revolver. I think I'm sold.
They're asking € 295,- for it. which is US$ 403.-

But, as I'm not knowledgeable when it comes to revolvers I looked up this model and it seems to be quite an old gal.

Are there any things I should consider when purchasing this slightly older revolver? I will be using it for target shooting, with both .38 specials as .357 mags....

Any extra info in this model would also be great.

Thanks guys.

greets from the Netherlands,

J.W.

 

[StingrayG4]

If a model 19 popped around here for $400 and was in really good shape as you say that one is, I probably would not be able to stop myself from buying it. This is just my extremely biased opinion, though.

-S

 

[18DAI]

Of course you should do it! Good price on a great......THE great, revolver!

When will you see one as nice as that model 19 again? Good luck! Regards 18DAI.

 

[Texas Star]

Go to the High Road.org and look at the list of points to check on used revolvers. Look it over carefully with those in mind. Be very sure to inspect the flat bottom of the barrel where you see it in the cylinder window. Sometimes, not often, shooting too many hot 125 grain .357 loads may crack the barrel at that thinner place. Use a flashlight to check it. If it passes, the price is excellent by US standards. But not to so low as to be suspicious.

I wouldn't do a whole lot of target shooting with full .357 loads, as it will wear the gun more and it will develop cylinder endshake sooner than need be.

Can you carry a handgun for defense or while hunting? Then, the .357 Magnum capability is a great thing to have!

What are Dutch gun laws like in general?

T-Star

 

[Jack Flash]

Many of us here think the older revolvers are MUCH better. Given the choice between a 30-year-old like-new revolver and a similar one that is in fact new current production, I would take the former every time.

Of course, when buying anything used one must be wary. Some dishonest sellers can disguise problems, sometimes very skillfully.

 

[4inch357]

Assuming all is well that's a great buy.

 

[M29since14]

If you are planning to shoot a lot of .357s, you might prefer a heavier gun. Full-charge .357s in a gun as light as a 4-inch Model 19 are not exactly a target shooter's delight. It's nothing like a 4-inch Model 29, but still, it's pretty snappy. This is just something to be aware of. Most of us who own 19s have shot a bunch of full-charge .357s in them and done no harm to either gun or shooter.

If you happen to handload with cast (or other lead) bullets, be sure to keep the gun clean. The accumulation of fouling will have a bad effect on timing of the earlier guns (before the gas ring was moved to the cylinder) if they are fired a lot while dirty, particularly in rapid-fire. When the gun gets even slightly harder to cock, or you notice stickiness in double-action fire, it is time for a thorough cleaning. This problem was pretty much mitigated with the -4 ECO, in my opinion, anyway. That said, I still have my first Model 19 (a 19-3) and it has fired a ton of lead-bullet, full-charge .357s. It still times just fine and has only a little endshake.

If the gun is in good condition mechanically, the price seems good. They are great revolvers. Might as well buy it!

 

[fyimo]

That's a great gun and good price and the k frame 357's with short barrels do provide a fair amount of recoil with full house 357 loads.

 

[jtpur]

My god, can you even buy a gun in Europe? Especially the Netherlands?

 

[W Fargo]

Thanks for the answers guys.

I will surely check that site for pointers when buying second hand revolvers... but yes, I'm convinced. I will buy it...

and regarding gun laws in the Netherlands.
Well, with us, it's a privilege instead of a right. And it has nothing to do with self defence.
In the Netherlands you can only purchase a fire arm for target shooting (or hunting, but that's very restricted also)
You will need to become a member of a shooting club and before you do, you need to get a declaration stating that you have a clean record from the government. You have to be a member for at least one year and in that year you must have had at least 18 separate shooting sessions. You can then ask the board of your club for permission to buy a fire arm. When the board approves you must go to the local police station. They will give you the permit but not before checking you out again, looking back 8 years. For the first year you can only own one fire arm. After the first year you can buy four more. So you can own a total of five firearms.

We can only have semi-automatic weapons. We can own assault rifles when semi-auto and with a 30-60 rule... so... barrel not shorter than 30cms and total length not shorter than 60cms. Silencers and folding/telescoping stocks are not allowed.
We need to keep our weapons in a safe that is bolted to either floor or wall and keep ammunition separate but also in a safe. Police will check unannounced from time to time. If you happen to have a weapon under your pillow, or maybe cartridges in the gun while it's in the safe... it's end of the story. You will loose your license and everything will be taken away.

Assault weapons like MP5's and other carbines that shoot pistol cartridges we can only own them when we are a member of the Practical shooting federation here in the Netherlands. We have to shoot two matches without disqualification and then we get a "number" with which we can purchase these weapons, never exceeding the total of five weapons.

So again, fire arms in the Netherlands are for target shooting only and not for self defence.

There's actually a lot more to it, but the above gives the big picture.

Greets,

J.W.

 

[StingrayG4]

Interesting info J.W., thanks for sharing. I hope you get that model 19, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

-S

 

[W Fargo]

Oh... and to add to that... this privilege of owning fire arms is very fragile. If I ever decide to punch someone in the face, and this person contacts police..... end of story....
If I decide to drink and drive, and get caught... They will regard me as an unresponsible person... unresponsible persons can not own fire-arms... end of story.....
If I have some domestic troubles, or maybe a bad divorce (and this is in my opinion a good thing) the police will temporarily confiscate my guns until the situation has returned to normal/divorce is final....

So again.... a very fragile privilege.

We do however have a strong weapons-lobby with a few organisations which have great contact with government.... So when some looney sport-shooter decides to murder his family with his fire arms.. it does not mean the end for all of the other sport shooters...
This has happened in Belgium and Germany as they did not have a strong weapons-lobby. Gun restrictions are unbelievably strict there.

 

[borntoraisehogs]

Thanks for the info on your laws . I my humble opinion the model 19 is one of those " If you could only have one" guns . If I get another , it will never get away . I mainly used to shoot fairly hot 125 grain rounds, which I now am informed was WRONG WRONG WRONG . I encourage you to follow the advice on checking it out . Perhaps your club has some experts . Good luck .

 

[Pilgrim]

this privilege of owning fire arms is very fragile. If I ever decide to punch someone in the face, and this person contacts police..... end of story....
If I decide to drink and drive, and get caught... They will regard me as an unresponsible person... unresponsible persons can not own fire-arms... end of story.....
If I have some domestic troubles, or maybe a bad divorce (and this is in my opinion a good thing) the police will temporarily confiscate my guns until the situation has returned to normal/divorce is final....

sounds just like Massachusetts, but here, you probably won't get your stuff back after the divorce/restraining order..

 

[WVfishguy]

God Bless America! W Fargo's post makes me proud to be a NRA member!

I really like this Model 19-3. I had to pay $500 total, but it is immaculate, and I don't regret it one bit.

The Model 19 is one of the best Smith & Wessons. Most people shoot .38 specials for practice, and .357s for defense.
I you live in a country where self-defense is not allowed, then .38s are all you need. A Model 19 should last forever shooting .38 specials. Just remember to clean the cylinders well.

By the way - for all the other NRA lifers out there - please don't stop supporting the NRA just because you have a life membership. I add a $5 contribution to each online purchase which allows it, and regularly contribute directly to the NRA as well.

 

[jtpur]

Hey Fargo, that was really insightful and I think we can all agree that we are a fortunate bunch here in the States and we must jealously guard those rights we have.....Buy the 19, It is my opinion the finest revolver ever made....great price especially considering how hard they are to come by there.

 

[W Fargo]

Okay... so I've been back to the gunshop and had another look at the model 19.... My God... it's even more beautiful then I remembered. And by the way, it's a 19-5. The blueing on it, is as new. I could not find any damages or wear on the gun. It has the wooden grip with "football-indentation". The grip is in fact the only thing which is not in pristine condition. (I might have to get different beautiful wood to complement the gun) Thanks to a tip in this thread regarding purchase of used revolvers I checked the gun according to the list I could find on "www.thehighroad.org". The gun passed with flying colors on every test.

Now I have to wait for TWO MONTHS before I have the cash to purchase it. Ohhwww..... the agony... damn this financial crisis... damn it to hell... I feel like a little kid the day before his birthday.....

Oh.. and I will definately post pictures here once I have it!!

 

[ect1222t]

Not pinned and recessed, but still an excellent revolver. In my opinion, the best K-Frame revolver made. -Ed.

 

[CajunBass]

Congratulations on the Model 19. Back when I was a teenager, I saw a picture of one on a magazine cover and thought "That's what a handgun is supposed to look like." I still think so.

My first handgun was a Model 19, and I traded it off like a numbskull. I said I'd get another one "one of these days." Then they quit making them.

"One of these days" finally came a couple of years ago when I found this one (19-4). I'm sure I bought it too early (as opposed to saying I paid too much), but I'm happy with it.

Patience. You'll get yours "one of these days" too.

 

[boykinlp]

Now I have to wait for TWO MONTHS before I have the cash to purchase it. Ohhwww..... the agony... damn this financial crisis... damn it to hell... I feel like a little kid the day before his birthday.....

Oh.. and I will definately post pictures here once I have it!!

Does this mean that you put it on layaway or are you just hoping it will still be there in 2 months?

 

[gilroy]

Wow! This thread makes me want to go and buy another one, just because I still can. Sounds like the future of America if about half the country gets their short sighted and ignorant way. I hope you are able to get the 19. If I only had one wheel gun, that one would be it.

 

[usmcgunny0369]

It's called the "Combat Magnum" for a reason. When I was a Sheriff's Deputy in the early 80's, the Model-19 was still the weapon of choice for a overwhelming percentage of Law Enforcement Officers nation wide. It's well balanced and handles well. I would buy it. You can add a Model-29 later on.

 

[Iggy]

I first saw a Combat Magnum as a brand new police officer in 1966. We had to furnish our own side arms back then.
One of my classmates had a Combat Magnum and that was the nicest firearm I had ever seen.

There was no way I could afford one and bought a less expensive Model 10.

It was 40 years before I had the opportunity to buy a Combat Magnum. I fulfilled that dream about 4 years ago and have bought two more since then.

I have a 21/2" barreled Model 19-5 on my hip at this time.
To my way of thinking, the Model 19 Combat magnum is about as nice a sidearm as one can choose, but then I may be a wee bit biased.

W Fargo, If I were you, I would put a deposit on that gun before it is gone.

 

[Andy Griffith]

So you can own a total of five firearms.

FIVE?!?!
Not five rifles, five pistols, five shotguns and five muzzleloaders? That's absurd.
It's like mandating that a person can only own one car.

I wouldn't even get to keep all the ones my father passed down to me!

So, there isn't a "collector" designation that could allow you to keep more, perhaps if they are antique or historically important?

 

[Norton 750]

I hope everyone that reads that post about gun laws overseas is already an NRA member, but if you are not...well, the Gun Grabbers thank you. We have to show numbers, because Washington only understands votes. Membership in the NRA = votes.

 

[roaddog28]

Great looking model 19. I never could fine one that did not have a issue. Most either had too much end shake or had lock-up problems. I finally bought a nice model 66 4 inch. You will enjoy your model 19. Too me they are the best handling revolvers that S&W ever made.

Regards,
roaddog28

 

[ElToro]

a clean 4 inch 19, even a 19-5 with no lock for ~400 USD is a very good deal. in california that gun is not on a shelf 2 days.

at least you can own guns even if it a big hassle.

what happens if you blast a bad guy crawling through your window in the middle of the night ? do they prosecute you and hang you out to dry like in England do you have any self defense rights ?

 

[usmcgunny0369]

I first saw a Combat Magnum as a brand new police officer in 1966. We had to furnish our own side arms back then.

I was a Sheriff's Deputy from 80'-82'. My department required us to purchase our own sidearm also. I was just out of the marine's with a new baby but managed to buy a Combat Magnum. My best friend carried a Colt Trooper and always envied my Model-19. In 82' I got tired of the politics and went back in the Corps and made a career of it. My last act with the Sheriff's Dept was to trade my Model-19 to my buddy for his Trooper. Although I don't regret doing this for a friend, I sure miss that Combat Magnum. I'm looking for another now that I'm retired. If I find one, there will be absolutely NO hestitation! I don't care if I have to sell something else for the down payment.

 

[f2]

Revolver checkout: how to tell if a particular specimen is any good, thefiringline.com, member Jim March

...Are there any things I should consider when purchasing this slightly older revolver?...

 

[W Fargo]

Well.... I've been wanting to give you guys an update on this M19... but it was too painful.....

After "boykinlp" posted the question if I had put the revolver on lay-away or if I was just going to wait till I get the funds, I decided to call the shop and put the revolver on lay-away.
I called the guy: "Hi, yesterday I was in, looking at a nice M19 4 inch, and I want to buy it. Could you put it on lay away for me?" gun-shop guy:" yeah yeah sure, I remember, the blued M19 4", okay consider it done".
so.... after I had received the funds, I decided to go and have another look, also because I needed the serialno for registration purposes. I could've called but hey... it was another excuse to cuddle with this beautiful revolver.

I arrive at the shop, and ask the guy if I could see the M19 which I put on lay away.... and the friendly man walks to the display case to pick up a revolver. I say to him: "no, it's not in the display case, you probably put it somewhere in the back?" The gun-shop guy says: "no, no, it's right here"... my heart dropped....... Cause I saw what was in the display case.... yes... a M19, blue, 4 inch barrel.... but completely beaten up.

I said/screamed: "nooo, nooo, noooo... not that model 19, please tell me you still have the other one"

but too late.... Shame on me... I should've asked for the serial no beforehand so the guy would've put the right gun on lay away...

Now it's gone.... a beautiful, minty model 19...

It still hurts....

Fortunately I have found something else which is also nice.... not as nice as a minty M19, but still.
I bought a very nice Model 686 4" CS-3 (made for US customs).
I told myself I would never buy a 686, simply because EVERYBODY overhere who shoots revolvers has a 686. but this one was a great deal and a beautiful revolver.
The first target I shot at 25 yards, one handed, I scored 93 (out of 100). I have NEVER reached this score before....

So my hurting is a little less now...

Attached a picture of my 686, although it doesn't belong here on this board.