My New 19-3

[bxrowley]

Hopefully I'm on the correct forum, and if not let me know and I'll move.

My 1 yr search for a 19-3 ended today with a local purchase at a GS. The ser# 2K86811. Can someone point me to the S&W website where I can determine the yr of mfg, or if someone would know I would very much appreciate the information.

A funny story how I happened upon this today, which I won't bore you with, but I had come to a point where I thought I was going to have to make an online purchase to get one of these. I reluctantly stopped at a local GS, where I've been before looking for a 19-3, so I had little hope they would have one today, but I was wrong. Price $530. The action is very tight, and as you can see from the pics it's been well taken care of. A little holster where and cylinder ring, but not much more than that. I'm no expert, but judging what I've seen advertised and others have rated this model I would say it's at least 95% overall bluing. I couldn't believe they had this in a 4" model either, which is what I wanted.

Feel free to critique this, as like I said I'm no expert when it comes to 19-3s, and I want to learn what flaws it might have. I'm looking forward to shooting it tomorrow. The GS told me they had thoroughly checked it out, but should there be any problems they would make it right. I don't think I went wrong on this purchase. Max of 5 pics, but I have more if needed. What do you think?

 

[Camster]

I had the same gun.They are nice.Mine had newer serial number and was built in 1975,so yours is a little earlier.
Enjoy,but avoid 125 grain 357s.They're rough on the forcing cone.

 

[75Vette]

No critique here. Your patience paid off. Very nice find!!!

 

[JP@AK]

That is very nice and you got it for a decent price.

The 2K serial numbers were spread over three years, 1970-1972. Yours was made in 1972.

Just so you know, the 4" barrel is, by far, the most common length on the Model 19-3. It is also a very good length for this model. It carries well and handles nicely.

The picture below shows a 4" 19-3, just a little bit newer than yours. This was the first nickel plated S&W revolver I ever bought. It remains a favorite after several years. I have taught a number of young shooters with it, using, of course, .38 Special ammunition. The picture shows the gun with non-original Magna stocks. I've found those to be better for teaching young shooters whose hands don't always comport with the larger target style. The Combat Magnum normally shipped with target stocks, like those on your gun.

 

[rwt1405]

Congrats on a great find!

 

[bxrowley]

Thanks for the information! I've got various revolver lengths from 2 1/2" to 7 1/2", and for the 19-3 I wanted 4". As you said, it's the preferred carry length, though I'm not planning to carry it much.

Yours is a very nice 19-3, and it's very nice that you are teaching youngsters to shoot. A must, IMO. Thanks again for sharing the information.

 

[Chopper1388]

A great looking Model 19-3 at a great price. Feed it 158 grain 357 Magnums; 125 grain bullets are for lesser calibers.

 

[JP@AK]

it's very nice that you are teaching youngsters to shoot. A must, IMO.

Agreed. "A must."
I've been a certified instructor since the late 1970s. I've lost track, but my "graduated" student list must run to several hundred by now. Most of my early reports have gone the way of all flesh after several moves. I probably have them for the past couple decades, but they are buried in boxes and I'm not going to spend the time digging them out. But it is a joy to see students develop skills and safety habits as a result of our range and classroom time together. If we just all do our small part, lots of good work will get done.

 

[bxrowley]

I had the same gun.They are nice.Mine had newer serial number and was built in 1975,so yours is a little earlier.
Enjoy,but avoid 125 grain 357s.They're rough on the forcing cone.

What grain do you suggest? I don't have 125gr but do have 142gr FMJTC.

 

[bxrowley]

Agreed. "A must."
I've been a certified instructor since the late 1970s. I've lost track, but my "graduated" student list must run to several hundred by now. Most of my early reports have gone the way of all flesh after several moves. I probably have them for the past couple decades, but they are buried in boxes and I'm not going to spend the time digging them out. But it is a joy to see students develop skills and safety habits as a result of our range and classroom time together. If we just all do our small part, lots of good work will get done.

We need more people like you... Curious, what state are you in? When I was growing up in PA in the 60s we had mandatory hunter training class during school. I've lived in MD, WV & VA and none of those states have hunter training, as far as I know.

 

[bxrowley]

A great looking Model 19-3 at a great price. Feed it 158 grain 357 Magnums; 125 grain bullets are for lesser calibers.

Thanks! I have 142 grain FMJTC. How would they work?

 

[JP@AK]

The standard answer is 158 grains and up. But unless you plan to shoot 10,000 rounds a year, the matter is pretty much moot.

I will say that over the past 50 years, I have shot a heck of a lot more .38 Special rounds through my .357s than magnum loads. They are cheaper (especially since I roll my own), easier on the gun, easier on the hand, easier on the ears and easier to achieve excellent accuracy. A couple dozen .357 rounds per year is enough to maintain proficiency if you are practicing a lot with .38 Specials. Just a thought for you to consider.

 

[old bear]

bxrowley, as you have learned "all good things come to those who wait." Your wait paid off in spades.

 

[JP@AK]

Curious, what state are you in?

Alaska for the past 33 years. 10 years in Oregon before that. Moved to Oregon after I came back to the World and separated from Active Duty.

In Oregon, I taught under the auspices of the state F&G, mainly in the 4H program. After I moved to Alaska, I got my NRA certifications, and have maintained them ever since.

Alaska does not have mandatory hunter safety, except for a few specific hunts. It also does not have a minimum age for hunters (again, except for a few hunts). But we encourage training and many seek it. Most of my students for the past 25 years or so, have been hand gunners. Training is mandatory for the CCW permit, although now we have no permit requirement for open or concealed carry. The permit program is still in place, however, and because of reciprocity, some people still get permits.

 

[bxrowley]

The standard answer is 158 grains and up. But unless you plan to shoot 10,000 rounds a year, the matter is pretty much moot.

I will say that over the past 50 years, I have shot a heck of a lot more .38 Special rounds through my .357s than magnum loads. They are cheaper (especially since I roll my own), easier on the gun, easier on the hand, easier on the ears and easier to achieve excellent accuracy. A couple dozen .357 rounds per year is enough to maintain proficiency if you are practicing a lot with .38 Specials. Just a thought for you to consider.

I'm stocked up on .38 Spec that I'll use mostly. I've got an old Ruger SSA I use the .38s in (mostly), and a new model Ruger I use the .357

 

[Jupiter01]

I think you did good!

 

[4D5]

Nice score on an excellent revolver!