New Gun Owner

[Patmcclat]

I purchased my first firearm last week. I bought a used S&W Model 19-5, blued, with a 4" barrel (AZE1xxx).
I felt a little hesitant to buy an out-of-production, used gun for my first firearm. But the S&W reputation for quality, made in the USA, classic profile of this .357, and the slightly used appearance of the gun convinced me to buy it.
From what I have seen on this forum, S&W owners seem to be informed, enthusiastic, helpful individuals, especially to new participants.

 

[Fred_G]

Welcome! It is a pretty good group of folks around here.

 

[Old TexMex]

Welcome here, from the Texas Gulf Coast, the Wild Horse Desert.
You chose well, my friend. Very well. Versatile and very well made the model 19 is the favorite of MANY.

 

[rwsmith]

Hound Dawg.....

A Hound Dawg Howdy from SC. If you were going to buy an out of production gun, you couldn't have done much better than to get the 19. Very fine gun with the only caveats being that it isn't made for continuous duty .357 loads and you should stay away from full loads with bullets 125 gr or lighter.

 

[Patmcclat]

Thank you Hound Dog, for the greeting and advice.
I plan on using only .38 Special rounds in this firearm.
Can you explain why you recommend avoiding ammo with bullets 125 grains or lighter?

 

[mrsig]

Greetings from Tampa. Ah-my first duty weapon as a young reserve officer, the 19. Brings back memories.

 

[VPNAVY]

Welcome aboard from the great state of Pennsylvania!

 

[mustangman]

Welcome from Texas!

 

[MSG Glenn]

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

[OLDSTER]

Welcome from ND

 

[S&W Oldtimer]

Welcome from Va.

 

[islamoradamark]

welcome from south florida

 

[snubbyfan]

Welcome from the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.

 

[C Islander]

Welcome from Ohio!!

 

[lestuder3]

Welcome from Michigan.

 

[MDMarauder]

Welcome from The Old Line State.

 

[fyimo]

Welcome to the forum from Arkansas

 

[pawncop]

Welcome from Texas Patmcclat. Great forum for all things S&W, have fun, learn lots, share what you know.

You started with a great revolver.

 

[robrossk]

And welcome from Missouri. Lots of good people here on the forum.

 

[Granite6]

Welcome from Georgia!

Awesome firearm, learn more about it here. Do a search for "combat magnum".

Why you shouldn't use 125grn high velocity rounds. Search for "model 19 forcing cone". I recently had a barrel replaced on mine to a very high pressure round that broke mine