"New" S&W 19's

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bubba21

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Hi guys, I'm new and I write from Italy.

Recently I bought an used 19's CAT153, and I would ask you if is possibile to know the age of the gun by the serial.. It's 54K3XXX..

here the pictures, hope you like it and sorry for the english mistakes :)




 
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Welcome, Paisan! Enjoy your Model 19's. I have a 4 inch version like yours, and two weekends ago was hitting pepper poppers at 70 yards with it. Extremely reliable and accurate revolver.
 
Thank you very much for the welcome! :)

I went for the first time on Sunday to try it and it's really constant and precise, I'm very happy for it!

If I have to say the true, this is my first gun and I think to have been a little bit rash in this purchase, because I didn't know what was its actually price.

I know that's difficult because there are very variables, but what's your estimation about it?
 
Looks pretty nice. I'd guess it would be a $500--550 dollars US gun here. Mine is an excellent shooter but has a lot less blue on it. That just makes it a tack driver with character.
 
Bat Guano said:
Looks pretty nice. I'd guess it would be a $500--550 dollars US gun here. Mine is an excellent shooter but has a lot less blue on it. That just makes it a tack driver with character.
Click to expand...

Ok thanks, I see that in US the price of S&W is very low, here in Italy a new 686 6'' costs 1100-1200$ !

I'm sorry, but I didn't understand what do you mine with "has a lot less blue on it. That just makes it a tack driver with character" , I can't translate it.
 
Yeah, it's a great gun, I really love it!

Smith & Wesson answere me about the year of manufacture by the serial... It was born in 1979 :)

So it is a 19-4 ?
 
Welcome to the Smith Forum.

Open up the cylinder and look into the crane area on the frame and if it is a "model number" it will show it there.

So, of it is a "M19-4" that will be stamped there.

I humbly suggest you study this forum deeply about M19 S&W's. There is a lot of IMPORTANT information here about them.

A lot of folks, me included, do not shoot hot/high-power .357 loads in our M19s and M66s unless they are 158 grain loads or better. There was/is an issue of the lighter, high velocity bullets cracking the barrel forcing cones.

Congratulations on your purchase. You have one of the best S&W revolver designs ever made.
 
semperfi71 said:
Welcome to the Smith Forum.

Open up the cylinder and look into the crane area on the frame and if it is a "model number" it will show it there.

So, of it is a "M19-4" that will be stamped there.

I humbly suggest you study this forum deeply about M19 S&W's. There is a lot of IMPORTANT information here about them.

A lot of folks, me included, do not shoot hot/high-power .357 loads in our M19s and M66s unless they are 158 grain loads or better. There was/is an issue of the lighter, high velocity bullets cracking the barrel forcing cones.

Congratulations on your purchase. You have one of the best S&W revolver designs ever made.
Click to expand...

Thank you Semperfi71!

I've just looked and the model is 19-4 :)

I'm reading lots of posts in this amazing forum but really is a little bit difficult with the technical words, but I do my best!

That of the bullet is a very interesting argument. Here in italian forums I've red that should be better shoot with .38 special, but not always because that's bullet could create problems in the long time too. Is this right?

Usually I shoot with Fiocchi TOP Target .357 Magnum 158 grams, are these ok?

Thanks to everybody for the help, this is a great forum!! :)

And I'm very happy that my gun is considerated one of the best S&W ever made!
 
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bubba21 said:
Ok thanks, I see that in US the price of S&W is very low, here in Italy a new 686 6'' costs 1100-1200$ !

I'm sorry, but I didn't understand what do you mine with "has a lot less blue on it. That just makes it a tack driver with character" , I can't translate it.
Click to expand...

Bubba21:
He means that the finish on his gun is not as nice as yours due to finish wear, but the gun still delivers the accuracy he wants, and because of this, the gun is and looks good to him.

Hope this helps with your translation. Your English is very good too.

Welcome to the Forum also.

Bill
 
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Ciao Bello,

The "blue" refers to it's blued finish (as opposed to nickle or stainless surface finishes).
A "tack-driver with character" is colloquial for "a very accurate gun with obvious worn appearance", hence, instead of saying it shows wear, you might say, instead, it has developed "character".

Benevenuto de Nashville,Tennessee. Abito vicino Napoli (Coppala Pinetamare) trente cinque anni fa!

Mike
 
Thank you guys, now it's OK! I couldn't translate the blue and the tack-driver with character! :D

bgrafsr,For the language I do my best but here in Italy is amazing how the level of everything (school, politic, people, mafia ecc) is low. I learned the english only because I went to Australia one months and an half in 2006 and 2011. I live in an amazing place, mountains, see, lake, works of art and everything else but till the peolpe won't stop to think only at the money, Italy will be the worst place to be, where we could be a great state but we don't want to be..

PH-2,Ciao! :D I write from the north Italy, I went to Napoli 4 years ago :)
 
bubba21,

The Fiochi 158 grains should be okay. It is the 125 to 110 grain bullets in .357 that are supposedly bad for the M19.

Generally here it is recommended to shoot .38 Specials or low power (we call them "Cowboy loads here) .357 ammo.

If you shoot a lot of .38 Specials in the .357 revolver they might cause a "lead ring" inside the chamber that will not allow the .357 cases to enter all the way in.

Just keep the chambers clean between firing the .38 Specials and you will probably be okay.

P.S. I can't speak Italian but I love the food!!:D
 
Ok thank you! I've a couple of doubt.. With grains you mean grams? Because I see that could be different..

Considering that I usually shoot 150-200 bullett at month, is better if I use .357 fiocchi 158g, .38 special or use one pocket of .357 and one of .38?

You're right, italian food is really one of the best! This evening pizza for dinner!! :D
 
I just picked up a M19-5, 2.5". Could I get a little info on the gun please. SN ALD6XXX.
Thank in advance.
 
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Italiano, Welcome to the site from Alabama USA
What "Bat" was saying is that some of the original finish called blueing has worn off. A "tack driver" is a weapon that is so accurate that if a tack (type of small nail) was stuck onto a board at many meters distance, his pistol could finish driving the tack into the board. Hope that helps.
Sorry folks, didn't realize this question had already been answered.
 
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Hello Bubba: What are the rules or laws for owning, carrying, and shooting a S&W M19 in Italy? Beautiful country.

Also a beautiful revolver you have there, my favorite - I'm a huge fan of M19s. Your Fiocci 158 gr. (grain?) ammo should be fine in that gun.
 
gbw said:
Hello Bubba: What are the rules or laws for owning, carrying, and shooting a S&W M19 in Italy? Beautiful country.

Also a beautiful revolver you have there, my favorite - I'm a huge fan of M19s. Your Fiocci 158 gr. (grain?) ammo should be fine in that gun.
Click to expand...

Hi gbw, I try to explain hoping to be understood..

There are different kind of license here in Italy, mine is a gun license for sports use (i'm not sure about the translation). Whit this I can trasport (not everywhere but for example from the shop to home, or from home to the rifle range) and buy bullet, gun of any bore and when I buy something I have to go to declare the purchase to the police for a maximum of 3 common weapons and 6 sports weapons and a maximum of 200 bullet.

To have this gun license you have to make an eyes visit and a medical certificate where they say that you are ok. After this you have to go to register at a rifle range where you shoot 100 .22 weapons and make an hour of gun theory and it's done. After 2-3 months you have your gun license.

At home you've to keep the weapon in a safe place.

I'm sorry for the mistakes but is difficult whit the technical words!

Today I've bought 50 Fiocchi 158 grain, tomorrow I'm going to shoot them :D
 
I think it's very hard and you should be proud of your English, there is no need at all to apologize.

It's very interesting and thanks for the explanation. I would have guessed that everywhere in Europe it is much harder than you describe to own a handgun.

If you own land, is it possible for you to shoot on your own property?

Would you abe permitted to use it to defend yourself if it became necessary? Sorry for all the questions, we seldom get a chance to talk to those across the ocean!

For most of us in the U.S. on this forum it would be impossible - we would fail every rule - the number of guns (many of us have dozens or more), the amount of ammunition (many thousands of cartridges, or the primers and powder and bullets to re-load them), and the ability to move them around - most of us have a carry permit of some sort.

But it's good that you are able to own and enjoy the revolver. Thanks again.
 
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Hello,
Your 19 looks like it is in great condition! (Looks like mine) :)
The Fiocchi 158grain should be fine. I like them--they have a little more punch than some of the other brands.

What is the difference between a common and sport weapon?
 
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bubba21 said:
Ok thanks, I see that in US the price of S&W is very low, here in Italy a new 686 6'' costs 1100-1200$ !

I'm sorry, but I didn't understand what do you mine with "has a lot less blue on it. That just makes it a tack driver with character" , I can't translate it.
Click to expand...

What he means is that it shows some wear to the finish but still works very well. Sort of like a Ferrari 330 GTB that has been parked on the street and driven a lot but well maintained. It may no longer look new but still drives like a dream come true.
 
gbw said:
I think it's very hard and you should be proud of your English, there is no need at all to apologize.

It's very interesting and thanks for the explanation. I would have guessed that everywhere in Europe it is much harder than you describe to own a handgun.

If you own land, is it possible for you to shoot on your own property?

Would you abe permitted to use it to defend yourself if it became necessary? Sorry for all the questions, we seldom get a chance to talk to those across the ocean!

For most of us in the U.S. on this forum it would be impossible - we would fail every rule - the number of guns (many of us have dozens or more), the amount of ammunition (many thousands of cartridges, or the primers and powder and bullets to re-load them), and the ability to move them around - most of us have a carry permit of some sort.

But it's good that you are able to own and enjoy the revolver. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

I don't know in other european states how is different, but here in Italy is quite easy keep a gun.

The law here (how in all the things here in Italy) is not so clear about shoot on my own property, i don't wanna tell you a wrong thing.

Thank you for your explanation as much interesting! :)


remat457 said:
Hello,
Your 19 looks like it is in great condition! (Looks like mine) :)
The Fiocchi 158grain should be fine. I like them--they have a little more punch than some of the other brands.

What is the difference between a common and sport weapon?
Click to expand...

Thank you! I like shoot with .357 too.

I don't know if is only an italian thing, but here the gun are catalogated in common and sport weapon (I'm not sure of the translation).. For example S&W 4'' are common weapons but S&W 6'' are sport weapons. Every gun has its cataloguing, maybe in 2012 things will change but for the umpteenth time nobody has exactly news... Poor Italy..


scooter123 said:
What he means is that it shows some wear to the finish but still works very well. Sort of like a Ferrari 330 GTB that has been parked on the street and driven a lot but well maintained. It may no longer look new but still drives like a dream come true.
Click to expand...

Very clear! :D
 
Hello all,
I just joined the S&W forum because I have inherited my grandfathers model 19-5 revolver and now that I'm a member of the S&W family I figured it was the right thing to do. This is my first revolver/handgun in my collection have shot handguns before and own a few rifles. I was wondering if I could get any info on this gun all I can find is that the model 19 was introduced in 1955 and the 19-5 in 1982 the serial number is 245K***. Any info would be greatly appreciated and thanks again look forward to future discussions on this forum.
 
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