Model 19 What to do???

[lev83]

Lucked into this unfired 2.5" P&R S&W Model 19 at local gun show about a year ago. My initial thoughts were to use this for my CCW gun but common sense prevailed...just can not in good conscience put this revolver in a holster and destroy one of the most beautiful bluing jobs I have ever seen. The only changes I have made are to fire exactly 15 rounds through this pistol and to replace the original magna grips with a set of Craig Spegels ebony finger groove boot grips.
Love this gun but dont really need a 2.5" revolver as I will not be using it for CCW.
My initial thoughts were to just resell the gun but I have discarded that idea and think I would prefer to make a trade for a 3" Model 19 or 66 or possibly even a 629.
I have also considered trading for an officers model 1911 to fill my CCW niche but was able to fill that void with recent trip to Tulsa Gun Show.
Therefore, my questions are as follows:
1. Are 2.5" and 3" guns comparably priced or what sort of price difference should I expect to pay to make the move to a 3" gun?
2. Are K frame 357 Mag like my model 19 priced similar to N frame 629?
3. Can anyone point me in the right direction to sources for these guns in 3" configurations?
4. Could I just contact S&W and have them replace the barrel with a 3" version and keep this beauty for myself?
Thanks to all

 

[galena]

Very nice M-19. I don't know if this will help but I sold a 2.5" M-66 a little over a year ago for $450.00. Last Fall I found a 3" M-66 on Gun Broker, turned out the seller was here in Colorado so we met face to face. I paid $850 for the 3" in the box with all paper work etc and was happy with the deal. While searching for my 3" I never did see a 3" M-19 for sale but found a few M-66s. Haunt the on line auction sites and try a "wanted" ad on this forum and hopefully you will find what you want. Good Luck.........keep shootin'

 

[lev83]

Just spoke to S&W Custom Shop and rep says they do not have any 3" barrels for sale as the gun is currently out of production. He did note they could change barrels out for $75 if I were able to find one and recommended checking Numrich or Brownells.

 

[sdg380]

Well, until those more knowledgeable chime in, I'll give you my 2¢.

1) Comparing recent prices on 2 1/2" and 3" M66's (stainless version of the M19), 3" models seem to be commanding almost twice as much as 2 1/2" models.

2) I'm pretty sure the 629 models are priced markedly higher.

3) People on the forum seem to finding the 3" models all over, but since there are very limited offerings in my area, GunBroker is a decent option.

4) I suppose you can try and contact S&W, but I don't know if they can make that swap for an out of production revolver, and I think you'll be in even deeper than if you just buy a 3".

I doubt that I will be the first to tell you not to sell or trade it that beautiful 19 (don't holster it either!), since you will live to regret it!

 

[tacreload]

I recently posted a foolish thought of selling my Python on this forum and the consensus was that I would be sorry.That foolish notion has passed and I decided everyone was right,I'm keepin it.My opinion here is keep that gun as I was advised by a whole lot of smart people here.But if it isn't what you want sell it to get what you want but there but please don't change that barrel or modify that work of art in any way.I have 2.5"Mod 19.It's a dash 6 and one of the best shooting revolvers I own.Also a beautiful thing to look at.My opinion only.Don't intend any offense.Good luck with your decision.

 

[Camster]

I wouldn't sell or tamper with that 2.5,and finding a new barrel for a 19 probably won't happen either-whatever is out there,has probably already been put on 19s with a split forcing cone.

 

[ENGINE18]

Very nice 19! I too have a 19-3 snub w/the original box, and sometimes think about selling/trading it. It's still in the safe and doesn't get used either, so I'm not much help.

 

[random_rest]

Keep it, enjoy it. With a good, well-fitting holster, you could carry that for some years without really damaging the bluing. It would get some muzzle wear, but so what? Or just keep it in the safe as an investment, since they aren't making that model anymore and they had particularly nice bluing and especially nice trigger pulls. DOn't screw with changing the barrel. you would also have to change the ejector rod to the full length, and you would destroy the collector value of the gun. The bluing probably wouldn't match, and it would be hard to find a good barrel that wasn't shot out or cracked.

 

[redbos]

You should sell it to me, I promise I will not shoot it or carry it!

 

[Pisgah]

You know, unless you have the box, all the papers, and whatever else may have come with the gun, any real collector value that gun has will never be really huge, compared to the same gun with a tiny bit of honest wear. Myself, I would get a well-fitted holster of high quality and carry it, shoot it, and take care of it

 

[RobertJ.]

I guess I'm just old fashioned and hard headed, if it were mine, I'd carry it and shoot it like God intended

Life's too short for safe queens, you can always will it to someone you love after it's had a good life protecting your hide...

That is exactly right!

How many guys, upon their death beds, will think about their "safe queens" and be thankful that they never shot that pristine Python (or whatever the case may be) ? Answer: none of them.

 

[Engine49guy]

Thats why you have to buy two.
A slightly used shooter for guilt free plinking and NIB collector piece.

 

[wrangler5]

I understand S&W will refinish guns. Can they duplicate the bright blue of an older gun, if that's what it came with originally? If they can, then I'm with Moondawg - carry it and shoot it like God intended. And if the finish gets so messed up you can't stand to look at it any more, send it back in for a refurb.

 

[ab4ka]

as much as I think every gun is meant to be shot, I have a similar (sort of) story. I used to collect Mosin-Nagant rifles and I had an absolutely pristine triple-dated MO marked 91/30 (which doesn't mean a hill of beans to anyone that doesn't collect Mosin-Nagants). It was a beautiful rifle and I just couldn't bring myself to shoot it. I ended up selling it to someone that could appreciate it more than I could.

I believe that guns were made to be shot, but every now and then there is that one exception to the rule. If you're just not sure, sell it to a collector and get something else. If you don't get any bites, shoot the hell out of it an enjoy it.

 

[Florida Guy]

I personally wouldn't shoot it, but I'm obsessive-compulsive, so I might not be the one to ask!
If it's for sale, let me know.

 

[Harrison]

Mdl 19 snubbies are wonderful CC weapons. Its too good a CC pistol not to carry. It is doing absolutly no good sitting in a safe. Carry it, shoot it and enjoy it. BTW, I have K frames in both 3" and 2.5 inch. Except for looking at them it is almost impossible for me to tell the difference when shooting them. They both balance well, point and shoot the same. That 1/2 " in barrel length doesn't make much difference in performance.

 

[5Wire]

I have a very small track on the 2-1/2 inch Model 19. Here it is, for what it's worth:

Smith & Wesson 19 2-1/2 inch barrel. Revolver in .357 Magnum,.38 Special, Plus . Bluebook of Gun Values (32nd Edition) indicates between $325 in 95% condition and $550 in 100% condition for this gun. I have 20 recorded prices for this model gun from $395 to $680 over a period of 3 Yrs 11 Mos ending April 8, 2011. The average price as of that date was $495. No refurbs, no refinishes, regular sights. All represented as 95% or better. No distinction for engineering revision, if any, no special editions, no distinctions for box, papers, tools. Current or last MSRP is $457.

Here's how the data charts out with the Average Price Trends right about $480 as of November 2010. The chart is two prices and several months behind the data. I haven't updated the chart yet. However the two most recent prices are well over the average price shown here. The available quantities of the model seem to be increasing but with such a small sample, it's hard to tell. There seems to be a glut of 'em in November 2010. That will tend to lower the prices realized, I'd guess.

 

[Tunachaser]

I have the same gun. There are barrels on GB that could be sent out and refurbished,Welcome to Accurate Plating & Weaponry, The Cogan Custom Shop. | APWCOGAN, these guys are awesome. But, last week in the back yard at 25yards I placed 12 rounds inside the 7" circle, standing, freehand. Do you need better than that? Like harrisons said, .5 isn't gonna make much of a differance. This is to nice of a gun not to shoot, If I wear this one out, I'll get another one.

 

[stevieboy]

I just bought a 19-3 2 1/2" (nickel) about 2 weeks ago. It came to me in nearly pristine condition but without box and papers. I love to look at it, but frankly, whatever I buy I shoot. This one will be my primary carry piece.

 

[old bear]

I guess I'm just old fashioned and hard headed, if it were mine, I'd carry it and shoot it like God intended

Life's too short for safe queens, you can always will it to someone you love after it's had a good life protecting your hide...

A.A. +1 to both statements!!!!!!!!!!!