My "NEW" 19-3

[JDavidB]

I've never owned a S&W and recently I got the urge and decided to look for a model 19. I bought the gun from the original owner who says it's probably only had about 30 rounds put through it. It's been in the box on the top shelf of his closet all these years. The gun is so nice that I decided to put it up in the safe. This left me still wanting a S&W .357 that I wouldn't mind carrying around so I also bought a 686-4.
I'm not much of a photographer so sorry if the pics aren't great.

 

[redlevel]

The pictures look fine to me. The Model 19 does too.

I would have to shoot it. A 19 is never going to be a really high-dollar collectable. You just aren't going to hurt the value of it that much by shooting it, as long as you take reasonable care of it. I probably wouldn't make an everyday field gun of it, but I sure would shoot it some. Fact is, I bought one in almost that same shape a couple of years ago, but without the box and accoutrements. It comes out of the safe periodically for a range session.

All that said, I did buy a five-screw pre-17 a few years back that I just couldn't bring myself to shoot. I sold it and bought a finish-challenged one to shoot.

Anyhow, congratulations on a fine piece.

 

[JDavidB]

Thanks redlevel. I'm kinda new to the revolver world. I own several semi-autos, rifles, and shotguns but this is only the second revolver I've ever bought. What are the most sought after S&W revolvers for collectables?

 

[redlevel]

JDB, there are people here that are 1000x more knowledgeable about collecting S&W revolvers than I am. I would guess that pristine examples of pre-war Registered Magnums and guns like .38-.44 Heavy Duty guns are some of the most sought after guns by S&W collectors. There is absolutely nothing wrong with collecting pristine examples of guns like yours. My point is/was, there were an awful lot of Model-19s manufactured; they aren't "rare." The same can be said of most of the guns we all love to acquire to shoot, admire, or as investments. There are people who collect Model 10s, which I guess are the most common gun S&W made. I once saw "collector" described as someone who has more than one example of a given item. I have 3 Model 19s, and "several" Model 10s/M&Ps, so I guess that makes me a collector. I shoot all of them, though.

I certainly wasn't denigrating your gun. Personally, the Model 19 is about tied with the Models 15 and 17 as my favorite S&Ws. Those pinned and recessed guns, in my estimation, represent just about the finest examples of production revolvers in the mid-20th century. They aren't "rare collectables" (even though they definitely are collectable) just because so many were produced.

 

[speedingbullet]

VERY handsome....congratulations on being the new owner of a fine revolver. oh....and your photos look great to me.

- best regards

 

[jonbondave]

I love that 19. but, please shoot it. you can shoot it AND baby it. I have a 19-2 4 inch. functionally and internally it's in great shape, but it probably spent a decade inside a cops holster and it shows I toy with getting it reblued, or maybe nickeled, BY smith of course... but it's just kinda ruggedly beautiful as is.

 

[mel023]

While the Model 19 will probably not attain the same value level as it's pre-numbered predecessor the Combat Magnum, they are a desirable and sought after model especially in the early dash numbers, i.e. no dash, -1, -2. They are also a reasonable gun to consider for a first S&W revolver. One thing to keep in mind, however. While these guns were designed to be shot they really weren't intended to be fed a regular diet of magnum rounds. They will take a lot of them but eventually the frame (around the cylinder window) will start showing signs of stretch. Once that starts ocurring it leads to a whole host of other problems such as timing (how the cylinder rotates and lines up each chamger with the barrel breach). But I think you're probably a long way from having to worry about it but it's something to keep in mind if you intend to shoot it a lot. So, congratulations on joining the S&W revolver fraternity and enjoy your "new" acquisition. A word of warning, S&Ws are like Lay's potato chips. You can never have just one.

 

[bamabiker]

JDB, that looks like a very nice M19 and your pics are as well. Many of us are not pro photographers, myself included.
Got your e-mail, thanks for the pics.

 

[Texas Star]

The late Jeff Cooper once wrote that the six-inch M-19 was a good deal for backpackers and hikers who wanted to have full six-inch barrel power and sight radius in a .357, but who didn't want the weight of a a 27/28.

If you can shoot, I think you are going to be amazed at how accurate that gun is, especially once you determine which loads it likes.

T-Star

 

[robctwo]

Very nice gun. I bought a 6" 19-3 earlier this year. My neighbor liked it so much I sold it to him. I missed it, so replaced it with another.

I also bought a new in box 4" 19-3. I'm shooting the heck out of both. My heirs will need to deal with the depreciation, if any.

I've shot some full house .357 loads in both, but mostly shoot light target .38 Special and .357 which I load. It is fairly easy to bust clay birds on a hillside at 35-40 yards, and on a good day clean up all the small pieces.

The brand new 4" cost me $800. This is less than a brand new "classic", and they are not available in this model. I don't think the original owner made much more than inflation on his investment.

I have put Wolff spring kits in both and took a good trigger and made it superb.

 

[semperfi71]

Great pics of M19s and congratulations on the purchase.

I have the below M19-4 that I too purchased NIB with all the accesories. It and the below M57 six inch nickeled also purchased NIB with everything are waiting my decision to "shoot or not shoot". I don't collect, I buy to shoot. BUT, I've lucked into a few that maybe I should shelve.

 

[JDavidB]

Thanks to all for the comments and the info. I'm looking forward to shooting it this weekend. I felt it was a good buy at $550 for my first S&W purchase. I'm sure I will be keeping my eyes open for another good looking Smith.