Need opinion on M19-5

[mckenney99]

Stopped by to visit and old friend working in a small hole in the wall local gunshop. They have on consignment a 2 1/2" M19-5 with s/n: 222K3xx. According to my book, that should put it around 1982. Original grips and set of Hogues but no box or paperwork. The gun is very clean, the finish is in excellent shape except for a light turn line and 1 scuff spot in the bluing on the cylinder. The timing/lockup is perfect and the b/c gap is tight (I didn't have any gauges with me). I could not detect any forward/aft play in the cylinder and the screws appear to be unmolested. The gun is priced at $799.
Now the rest of the story.
It turns out the consignee is an old friend who is starting to liquidate things so I want to be fair (so I wouldn't even consider making a low ball offer) and NO I will not try to work out a deal behind the dealers back as they are good guys and friends also. My on-line research does not come up with a lot of comparable sales prices so I cannot get a good feel for whether the price is "right". I feel like it's a pretty good deal but revolver pricing, especially classic models, is not my normal interest. This will be a shooter.

 

[CH4]

-5s usually have 3 letters and 4 numbers. Looks like a transition gun. By chance, does it have a pinned barrel and recessed charge holes? That's a fair price for a nice 2.5" 19-5.

 

[cowboy4evr]

The dash 5"s I've had did not have a pinned barrel nor recessed cylinder . I currently have 2 . A 2.5" and 4" barrels and I'm quite happy with both . That is a fair price , I would pay it if I was looking for a 19 snubbie . Mine is one of my favorite guns with magnum loads . Still just as tight as the day I bought it . Regards Paul

 

[rjm6120]

2-1/2" model 19's, whether they are P&R or not P&R, are not an everyday common find (they sure as heck aren't in MY neck of the woods).

There is nothing wrong with your thinking because the gun's owner is a friend. If you feel the price is fair, for you, and you want the gun then buy it. These guns are not going to get any cheaper. There is a saying about S&W revolvers---you're not paying too much, you're just paying a little early.

OTOH, keep in mind your friend doesn't HAVE to know you bought the gun at a little bit cheaper price if you want to try to do that. Part of the hobby of guns in the realm of buying them is "doing the dance" and seeing if you can get it at a cheaper price through negotiation and there is absolutely no crime in doing that.

If it were me, I would offer $750 out the door (cash of course) and see what happens. You aren't low-balling at all in my opinion and not short-changing your friend in any way. If they stick to their guns and want $799 and you're cool with paying it, then go for it.

Hope this helps!

 

[Norton 750]

I would jump on it at that price. You are not stealing it by any means, but they are usually higher than that in Central Missouri. A fair deal all around.

 

[Rpg]

The 19-5 did away with the P&R model 19's. As a non recesssed 19, it's less desirable than a recessed 19 to those that care about such things.

Notwithstanding all that a 2 2/2" M19-5 is an excellent handgun.

That $799 is a fair retail price.

 

[mckenney99]

Thanks folks for all the responses.
No pinned barrel nor recessed cylinder as the bible indicates the -5 deleted those items.
Looks like the bible also indicates this s/n was probably produced sometime mid 1982.
I would really like to find a M66 at this price (yeah right) or a M64/M65 at a little better price but Smith classic revolvers do not show up very often in the shops around here.

 

[stansdds]

I'd say that in today's market, $800 is a good price for a 2 1/2" barrel Model 19 that is mechanically excellent and has minimal wear on the finish.

 

[MetalMan]

Except for the obvious differences between the engineering changes - pinned and recessed, etc. - and collector "value" of the ND or very early changes, are there any notable advantages to the later engineering changes such as the 19-5 / 66-4 variations?

My 19-5 and 66-4…

 

[scooter123]

I have two Sock Drawer Specials. Note Sock Drawer Specials are unfired handguns that were kept under a pile of socks for many many years. As a result there is not carry wear and the condition will be nearly as new but there will be pinprick rust spots on the side facing the wood bottom of the drawer.

The first is a 19-3 picked up in 2018 for 600 dollars. Yeah price at the time was a bit high but it is just so lovely to look at. Sight fill with that short barrel is quite tight and on one occasion I shot two cylinders at a 50 yard target. I was very pleased to see I had 12 hits within the 9 inch circle and 8 out of 12 within the 6 inch circle shooting offhand. Anyone who thinks short barrels equals poor accuracy need to re-think that attitude. Head shots at 50 yards is doable. BTW it came with a firing pin that was too shot to ignite a primer in Single or Double action, something rather typical for Bangor Punta quality. Good news is that fitting a new Powers Custom firing pin was relatively easy and it's now 100& reliable and a fun shooter.

The second is a model 36 dating to 1962 and in near identical condition as the model 19. The only flaw with this pistol besides the freckles was the serrated trigger and the 14.5 lbs. DA trigger pull. A scotchbrite bobbin on the trigger dulled down the razors and a Wolff Spring Kit took the DA trigger down to 9 lbs. Note the hardest primer I have found is not CCI, it's Remington and I always test for trigger reliability with Remington ammunition. As for reloads, that is always CCI and I have enough CCI primers in my stash I'll never run out. Due to the tiny pencil grip native to this model that has now been replaced with Hogue Rubber and it's a rather fun little shooter.

PS; I never purchase any "older" gun that is in 100% perfect condition, because I purchase guns to shoot them. It's why I really like the Sock Drawer Specials, they are pretty enough to look really good but flawed to a small extent so they are simply shooters.

 

[Dave686]

I would really like to find a M66 at this price (yeah right)

That should not be hard to do at all. Gun Broker has them.

We have them on our local forums pretty regular. You don't have that in Ohio?