Model 19
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illinoimike
Member
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- Nov 30, 2011
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No idea. Every Glock I ever owned shot the same.
Reevolvers
Member
They don't make em like that anymore! I would encourage you to read about Bill Jordan. They are magnificent revolvers that came to be in part because of that legendary lawman! I own one now with a short tube. The first gun I ever shot was a 4 inch and I've been hooked for 30 years or better because of that first experience! Shoot one and you will know!
Brandon
Brandon
They have style, elegance, and class.
THE PILGRIM
Member
The 4 inch 19 is the slickest, smoothest handling, best balanced revolver that I ever handled.
And I have handled a few in my time.
And I have handled a few in my time.
ma deuce
Member
Uh, probably that it's perfect. Just sayin'. Seriously, it's a hard-to-beat combination of weight, size, firepower, versatility, workmanship and beauty. When I started out collecting, I only wanted one. Then I wanted a set in all sizes. Now I want nickle. Buy one and you'll see.
Modified
Member
I'll back this statement fully.
An early 19 is pretty much tops in ways that one can't really appreciate with out holding and shooting it.
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Engine49guy
Member
When the Combat Magnum was introduced in 1955/56 if you wanted a current production .357 Magnum S&W revolver your choices were
"The .357 Magnum" aka (Pre Model 27),
"The Highway Patrolman" (AKA Pre Model 28) or
"The Combat Magnum" (AKA Pre Model 19).
First two were heavier and bulkier N frames also used to build their .44/.45 caliber revolvers.
The smaller "K" frame was previously only used to build .38 special and smaller revolvers, once S&W began offering the hotter .357 round in the smaller lighter K frame it probably made sense to LEO's carrying them daily to go to the smaller K frame .357 even though the N frame .357 Highway Patrolman was apparently priced slightly cheaper.
Interestingly no SS Model 28 was ever offered and no satin blue cheaper version of the Model 19 was ever offered as a regular cataloged item...( non target site K Magnums were offered in the 1970's in the Model 13 and SS Model 65 as less expensive alternatives to the Models 19 & 66).
On a side note around 1980 S&W introduced the medium sized L frame to fix any shortcomings that surfaced in the K Magnum frames yet still be smaller than the N frame .357 Magnums .
If you believe "Enough is good, more is better and Too much is JUST ABOUT RIGHT" S&W has currently managed to squeeze the .357 round into a modified J Magnum frame as an option for those wanting more power in a lighter frame....
IMO HOT .38 special is unpleasant in the J frame ...especially the Airweights.
"The .357 Magnum" aka (Pre Model 27),
"The Highway Patrolman" (AKA Pre Model 28) or
"The Combat Magnum" (AKA Pre Model 19).
First two were heavier and bulkier N frames also used to build their .44/.45 caliber revolvers.
The smaller "K" frame was previously only used to build .38 special and smaller revolvers, once S&W began offering the hotter .357 round in the smaller lighter K frame it probably made sense to LEO's carrying them daily to go to the smaller K frame .357 even though the N frame .357 Highway Patrolman was apparently priced slightly cheaper.
Interestingly no SS Model 28 was ever offered and no satin blue cheaper version of the Model 19 was ever offered as a regular cataloged item...( non target site K Magnums were offered in the 1970's in the Model 13 and SS Model 65 as less expensive alternatives to the Models 19 & 66).
On a side note around 1980 S&W introduced the medium sized L frame to fix any shortcomings that surfaced in the K Magnum frames yet still be smaller than the N frame .357 Magnums .
If you believe "Enough is good, more is better and Too much is JUST ABOUT RIGHT" S&W has currently managed to squeeze the .357 round into a modified J Magnum frame as an option for those wanting more power in a lighter frame....
IMO HOT .38 special is unpleasant in the J frame ...especially the Airweights.
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MTPioneer
Member
You need to own one to answer your own question.
Wingmaster
Member
In addition to what these guys have said,
The Model 19 is the perfect caliber in the perfect gun.
Others might disagree, but a 4 inch barrel is the perfect barrel length for a model 19.
Wingmaster
The Model 19 is the perfect caliber in the perfect gun.
Others might disagree, but a 4 inch barrel is the perfect barrel length for a model 19.
Wingmaster
Engine49guy
Member
Seven3
Member
Collectible because they don't make them anymore. Desirable because it's the Browning Hi-Power of revolvers: points and handles naturally for most people, fits most hands well, just excellent ergonomics. I love them. Shoot one and you probably will too.
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Modified
Member
Hi-Powers are hateful bitey creatures that are surprisingly ugly for a Browning creation. They hate me, and I cannot love them.
I guess what I am saying is that I disagree with your comparison. I don't think any Automatic can be compared to the 19 because with the 19 you can swap out the stocks to radically alter the way it fits in your hand, in a way you just can't with any automatic.
The S&W legacy culminates at one distinct point. That evolution ends at the Model 19.
Seven3
Member
I was making the limited point that like the BHP, the ergonomics of the 19 work well for most people. The operative word is "most." I understand that you subjectively disagree, but I fail to see how that affects the validity of the comparison.
amazingflapjack
US Veteran
To me the balance is better than any other 6 inch Smith, and the weight is just right. When I raise mine up to aim it, it just translates confidence to me. Mine has over size faux Ivory grips that were "N" frome grips that were custom fitted to the m-19. It made the gun for me.
model70hunter
Member
It combines power, great looks, light weight and excellent handling in one package. One might say it is racy looking and perhaps a little sexy.
If you want to shoot a lot you need the 586 or 27/28. If you want to carry one and shoot it less often and perhaps with 38 specials it is great.
I have a 19-3 in 4". To me this is the perfect barrel length for this frame. I had and sold a very accurate Model 19 with a 6"bbl. It did not balance right in my hand and I had a bunch of other 357's in 6" at that time that I used more.
I am very happy with my 4" M-19.
If you want to shoot a lot you need the 586 or 27/28. If you want to carry one and shoot it less often and perhaps with 38 specials it is great.
I have a 19-3 in 4". To me this is the perfect barrel length for this frame. I had and sold a very accurate Model 19 with a 6"bbl. It did not balance right in my hand and I had a bunch of other 357's in 6" at that time that I used more.
I am very happy with my 4" M-19.
tacreload
Member
They really shoot well and sure are nice to look at.
Modified
Member
I've never met anyone who didn't like the 19 after shooting one, the BHP on the other hand is not so universally perfect.
The people that love the Hi Power are similar to the people who love the .41 magnum. It's a bit of a culty thing. It is in no way universal. The 19's appeal is not that way at all. I have friends who didn't like revolvers at all until they shot a 19, that's when everything clicked. I know one guy whom I suggested buy a 19, he did, adores it, tried buying other revolvers and tells me that they just aren't good enough. The Hi Power isn't like that. If your hands are too big or meaty its a terrible shooter without modification.
It's a bad comparison to make because if you were to tell me with no prior knowledge of the 19 that it's every bit as great as the Hi Power I'd want nothing to do with it. The ergonomics of the Hi Power work for some people, not most. The ergonomics of the 19 will work for nearly everyone due to the ability to go with so many different grips.
Mike McLellan hit the nail on the head when he said the 19 was a culmination. The Hi Power may have been the culmination of Browning's career, but only because he didn't live longer. Had he been around another 50 years refining the Hi Power, we may have a gun worth comparing.
The 19 is a gun anyone who loves guns will treat as a treasured possession, and adore handling and shooting it. The BHP is a gun that some will adore handling and shooting, others will admire for it's many virtues and historical importance, while cursing the gun for mercilessly biting the heck out of their hand as they look for a way to staunch the blood flow.
The 19 is the "Goldilocks" of the Smith & Wesson lineup. It's not too small and it's not too big. It's "just right."
A Volkswagon will drive down the same road as a Shelby Cobra too. But it's just not the same is it?
Bob
This was a fun thred to read I love my Mod as well. But by reading this I realized why I like it so much. For one thing I had shot nothing but cheap junk owned by myself and friends and old worn out smiths owned by our PD. Once I shot the Mod 19 I just had to have one, I could actually hit what I was shooting at. The trigger is also one of the smoothest pulls to this day after shooting many revolvers and autos.
ma deuce
Member
Actually, the Hi Power is my favorite semi-auto just as the 19 is my favorite revolver. I will acknowledge, however, that the Hi Power often has issues out-of-the-box. Hammer bite, as you say, unless one fits a "no bite" rowel hammer or the gun comes with the spur-type Mark III hammer. Trigger pull, which can be improved by pulling the mag disconnect and, if necessary, a trigger job by a good smith. Re grips, there are actually quite a few after-market choices available in different configurations. On my latest, I installed Brownell's ultra-thin checkered Micarta grips, which makes a world of difference. Once a Hi Power is adjusted to your liking, there's no 9mm that's easier and more natural to shoot, IMO.
Modified
Member
For me there's a completely different 9mm that comes to mind when I think of natural shooting easy guns:
But I can't imagine comparing it to the universal perfection of the Model 19.
05CarbonDRZ
Member
Everyone who has shot my BHP has fell in love instantly.I really don't think that You can find a better 9mm.The H&K is nice but just to out of the ordinary with the safety.If You like a 1911 the BHP is a very logical choice for 9mm as Browning designed both.
I adore my BHP, for me it's a stunningly comfortable pistol to shoot and to shoot well. So I admit I kind of liked the comparison although I don't think I'd have come up with it by myself. However, the Model 19 is just dreamy; I blew up my first one, sad to say, a gorgeous 4" purchased in 1980, it took me years to get another, and I really wanted a straight up replacement but found a round butt 2.5" Model 19 and said yes so fast I nearly melted the credit card. It's such a sweet shooter and it IS good looking, it IS classy looking, and can be carried all day if I choose to do so (snubbies are fun like that!). I usually shoot it with .38s but it's no less sweet with .357 Magnum rounds.
I believe that's a true statement, despite some friends around this campfire who proudly shoot .357s in their J-frames/Airweights. But you shoot a short barreled Model 19, now that's a WHOLE NUTHUH SMOKE indeed!
Triggers are excellent, too - they're just perfect revolvers. There are many great revolvers. There are not that many perfect ones.
Glocks are great for what they were made for, to wit, sending bullets downrange in copious quantities. My pickup truck does it's job, too - but everyone really likes to ride in my Cadillac. I can think of many similar comparisons.....the Shelby noted above is one, a Randall knife next to a military bayonet is another. Jus' sayin'........
***GRJ***
I believe that's a true statement, despite some friends around this campfire who proudly shoot .357s in their J-frames/Airweights. But you shoot a short barreled Model 19, now that's a WHOLE NUTHUH SMOKE indeed!
Triggers are excellent, too - they're just perfect revolvers. There are many great revolvers. There are not that many perfect ones.
Glocks are great for what they were made for, to wit, sending bullets downrange in copious quantities. My pickup truck does it's job, too - but everyone really likes to ride in my Cadillac. I can think of many similar comparisons.....the Shelby noted above is one, a Randall knife next to a military bayonet is another. Jus' sayin'........
***GRJ***
