Model 19 with 2.5" barrel - how's it handle?

[Jaymo]

I feel compelled to add that that if you're going to carry, you MUST get a good carry belt and holster.

I bought a concealed carry belt from Bullhide Belts dot com.
1/4" thick, single layer leather. Stiff as hell, yet very comfortable, with or without a gun/holser on it.

 

[ispcapt]

I bought the one below in 1975 and carried it everyday, all day on duty, for quite a few years. Then carried it off duty a lot since that time. I also have a 4" 66 that I carried for a bit. The 2.5" points a lot better for me that the 4" because of the round butt. It's a great shooter and one of my favorites. I also have a 2.5" 66 that's out on loan right now to a friend. He's been carrying it everyday for the past couple of years. I really need to get it back now that I think about it. He was just going to try it out to see if he liked it. I guess he does since he still has it.
As far as the sights hanging up, if they do then get a different holster. A properly designed holster makes a world of difference. Sure, a fixed sight gun has less to snag but with a properly designed holster it's not a big deal.

 

[CatboatWilly]

I can't add much to what has already been said here. Carry weapons are given to a wide personal choice. I like my 19-3 / 2-1/2" but prefer to carry my smaller J frame M-36 for CC. The 19 is just too large here in the south where you don't wear heavy clothing.

$600-650.00 No Box, no papers is about the going price from your LGS.

I'd say buy & shoot it ! With the popularity of 'snubbies' these days, you can most likely get most of your money back should you decide you don't like it.

 

[Old cop]

Re: My earlier post about the snub handling as well as the longer barrel that's just me. I find the K snubs, I carried one on duty for years, gives me a faster flash sight picture for combat shooting/qualifications. For distances further than 15 yards maybe not so much, but single action from 25 yds. slow fire I did just fine. The K snub is something I lack in my collection, and I'll remedy that as finances allow.

 

[viceunit]

I bought mine in 1976 and it was my primary off-duty gun until about 1999 when I went to the dark side (Glock). But, I still carried the 19-3 alternately and now that I am retired I carry it more often when clothing permits concealment of a gun larger than a 642. SP's points are logical, but surprisingly or not, I often shot a better score in pistol matches when I used the snub 19 for the "undercover" phase, beating my 4" gun score. Granted, in those courses of fire I used target ammo, but I still outscored the 4"er. I think nearly 38 years of handling the thing has made it as familiar as I will ever be with a firearm. It has one of the best actions in my modest collection of Smiths.

It is a handful with magnum ammo. Proper grips are paramount. For me, a Tyler T-grip with the standard panels works best, and I have experimented with everything. Holster selection has been mentioned and I have had good results with an old Safariland pancake style. It rides high and conceals well. I can't believe the thing is not worn out - I've had it almost as long as the gun. I never had an issue with the adjustable rear sight, but I suppose with the wrong holster it may be a problem?

In the old book "Survival Guns" by the late Mel Tappan, he regarded the snub 19/66 as heavy duty 38's. Mine is such as I usually carry a 38+p load nowadays.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I agree with Saxon Pig, the 3" heavy barrel K frames with fixed sights carry better than the 2.5", adjustable sight versions, at least for me.

 

[old bear]

For all intents my M- 66 2 1/2" is the ideal C/C and home defense revolver. The shorter barrel and round butt make it fairly easy to hide under anything but a light T-shirt. The main thing I like about the 2 1/2" K frames is they feel like I've got a real gun in my hand, unlike the smaller J frames.

The only draw back is 2 1/2" K frames are NO fun to shoot with .357 Magnum ammo. I tried it again today and gave up after 12 rounds. I will admit it was fun to see the looks on the faces of the . 22 and 9 M/M shooters when I touched of a strong .357 Magnum round at an indoor range.

 

[rattlesnakedaddy]

One of my favorites. I carried its somewhat similar and simpler ******* twin (3" model 65) for many years. Got a chance to play with my aunts M19 2.5" that she's had since working with the FBI back in the 70's/80's, and all I can say is that now one of these is on my list.

Hers has a Tyler T-Grip on it, and was super comfortable. I've tried all sorts of grips on mine and had settled on a set of modified hogue rubber grips, but after trying hers out I am seriously thinking of putting the stock grips back on and finding a t-grip.

 

[bluetopper]

Bought a 2 1/2" 19-3 yesterday for $350 from a friend out at the range and promptly shot a 1.3", 5-shot group at 25yds with some cast wadcutter reloads.

 

[windypoint]

I like my 66 a lot, and it carries well.

 

[USSR]

Gee, looks like I started something with this thread. Of course you know, you are just feeding this craving of mine for something I simply cannot afford at this time.

Don

 

[azmick]

Gee, looks like I started something with this thread. Of course you know, you are just feeding this craving of mine for something I simply cannot afford at this time.

Don

ever seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer

 

[JP@AK]

USSR
A 2 1/2" Model 19 is a good revolver to dream about. When your dream comes true and you own one, you will be a happy camper!
This one is among my favorite revolvers to shoot. I carry it sometimes, but because I have a small frame myself, I usually carry a small frame revolver - a 1964 vintage Chiefs Special to be precise.

As to how they handle/shoot, I'll just post another photo. This was taken at the range about 10 months ago. Off hand at 15 yards. Acceptable.

Keep your eyes open and you may locate one for a reasonable price. When you do, snatch it up!

 

[JP@AK]

a 1.3" (measured with a micrometer)

You need a micrometer to measure a one and one-third inch group???
Wow!

 

[Road Rat]

A good holster is paramount for carry. I got a call yesterday from Milt Sparks that my order for a PMK is now being shipped. Ordered it on the 22nd of Sept and should arrive early next week. Their estimated times are very accurate and updated often so you know exactly the status of your order. Great folks to deal with for sure.

Please post your opinion on the holster. That is next on my list for my 29-2.

 

[bluetopper]

You need a micrometer to measure a one and one-third inch group???
Wow!

It's the only thing we had at the time at the range.
And if you shot with the cut throat bullseye shooters I shoot with you'd understand.

 

[aphelion]

I won't carry any of my good ol' Smiths as every day self defense guns. If the unfortunate did happen and I had to use it in self defense, it would be taken from me, probably for months, and likely wouldn't come back to me in the same condition as it left. That is what they make Glocks (or M & Ps if that is your bent) for. You can always go and get another one of those.

 

[Neumann]

I have a 3" 686, which I carry in a Sparks VM2 (IWB) holster. It conceals just fine. At least nobody in Seattle asked if I was carrying (or just excited to see them). The slightly smaller 66 would do as well. As noted, it is essential to have a good belt and holster, even if you have to wait for one. Mine took 12 weeks to deliver, and that's fast for Sparks.

It is not as easy to shoot as a 4" by any means, but it's not a belly gun either. Watch Hickok45 hit the gong at 80 yards, and blast 8" plates at 20 yards as fast as he can pull the trigger. Recoil, with the right grips, is perfectly manageable, even with hot magnum loads. I have Ahrends boot grips on mine.

The hammer does not snag if you cover it with your thumb until clear. I got that habit from using snap holsters, and it still gets the job done. For pocket or purse carry, hammerless is the way to go. You could grind the spur off too, but leave enough of a stub to act as a stop in the frame.

 

[Sourdough]

Several posts have mentioned the T-Grip Adapter. Has anyone tried custom stocks such as Herrett makes? I have handled a T-Grip equipped revolver once but wasn't able to fire it. I have some J Frame revolvers and an N-Frame with Jordan Trooper Stocks which do very well, and the J Frame version conceal pretty well. One pair is on a Model 640-1 Centennial, replacing the black rubber grips with which the factory outfitted it. Those focused the recoil in one part of my hand and were very uncomfortable. Herrett Stocks have a longer curve, and spread out the recoil better.

One poster mentioned having tried a pair of grips which didn't work. Just wondering whether anyone else has tried something like: what results have been had with stocks on this rather light revolver, especially when shooting heavier loads?

 

[36general]

I would like to add my .02

I must first state that I have now where near the experience with the 2 1/2" 16/66's as some of the above posters. In fact I just got one of each. I shoot them for the first time yesterday. To me, it was a thing of beauty. I fired about 100rds .357 158gr SJSP and 50 .38 158gr LRN. Distance was about 25ft and the gun was surprisingly comfortable with the magnum loads. I could shoot .357's all day out of this gun and the .38's are pure pleasure. It's not small or lightweight by any means but fits perfectly in my hands. I have Ahrends tactical finger groove stocks on them and they are a great match. I normally shoot .357 out of my 686 5" and I felt just as accurate with these k frames.

I plan on carrying this gun as soon as my holster arrives. As stated above, a key part of carrying gun is a quality belt and holster combo. I don't foresee any problems comfortably concealing a 2 1/2" 19 with a OWB holster and a flannel shirt.

I would highly recommend the 2 1/2" K frames to anyone. For me, they just may be the perfect match. I just wish I could have got them sooner...