New to me 19-3 2.5 nickel .357

[pavco330]

Hello everyone...noob here.
I just recently was lucky enough to buy a gun I've dreamed about owning since I was a little kid...my first toy cap gun was a plastic S&W snubby...
It's my first nickel firearm, so any tips you might have to care for it would be appreciated.
No box, no papers, and I'm pretty sure the grips are incorrect...but I think I like them better than other stock grips I've held.
I'm figuring on shooting only .38 Specials out of her for now.
So here it is -

 

[pavco330]

Oh, the s/n is 6K5****
Maybe someone might know about when it was made? I'd be curious to know...
Pretty sure it might be early-mid 1970's

 

[Hapworth]

Oh, the s/n is 6K5****
Maybe someone might know about when it was made? I'd be curious to know...
Pretty sure it might be early-mid 1970's

Serial number puts it near 1974. Very attractive purchase. Those grips indeed aren't original to your 19, but they're light years better, more expensive, collectible and in demand. Congrats, you lucky dog.

So long as the nickel isn't compromised anywhere, it'll hold up to gentle cleaning with most any gun cleaner you prefer. When nickel is compromised -- even slightly -- cleaners with ammonia can damage it. If you want to err on the side of caution, keep with the gentle, non-ammonia, gun-specific cleaners.

Here are a couple helpful links for assessing revolvers, should you need them:

Revolver Checkout Procedure

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6F...hLWE4YzMtOTdmN2YwNmY4NzM2/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1

 

[pavco330]

Wow, thanks for the kind words and info...I appreciate it.

Since I have a Ruger .357 I had been looking for a .44 Mag for a while...but when I saw this I figured I'd better put the .44 purchase on hold. Not sure when I might see another 19-3 like this for sale.

 

[weatherby]

Very Nice looking gun and Stocks/Grips makes a great Christmas package

 

[Hapworth]

Wow, thanks for the kind words and info...I appreciate it.

Since I have a Ruger .357 I had been looking for a .44 Mag for a while...but when I saw this I figured I'd better put the .44 purchase on hold. Not sure when I might see another 19-3 like this for sale.

My pleasure. I think you made the right call on your purchase -- the K-frame, snubby 19 (and its twin the 66) are my favorite S&W revolver -- an opinion shared by many here.

Learn you mechanical checks and do them to get a good overall assessment of the revolver.

Many here stick with .38 in .357 rated K-frames; if you do choose to run a few .357, stick with the higher grain, 135 and above, ideally 158, and keep 'er clean.

Enjoy.

 

[sophie]

Man you got a nice one. Thanks for sharing and super pictures. You will be suprised to learn how much them combat stocks are worth. That is the spitting image of my M19, nickel, 2 1/2" bbl. In about 1980 I bought the combat stocks and they have a price of $30 on the original package. Those combats bring a bunch of money today. Well, on second thought so does the gun. Congratulations.

 

[pavco330]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Flint Ridge]

Awesome package there for sure. Combat grips - wow! Those are pricey grips for sure. I've seen them up towards $200, so do the math and tell us how good you did on the deal. Like Hapworth said, "lucky dog"

 

[pavco330]

Yeah, I really didn't know about the grips. I just knew I liked them better than the skinny style.
But...now that I know what they're worth it went from a good deal on my purchase to a REALLY good deal. Hope that isn't bragging too much...just happy to know they add value when I thought they were incorrect and lessened the value.
I just feel lucky to have such a nice Smith to share with my kids and dad.

 

[snubbyfan]

That's a real beauty ya got there. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jaymo]

Those combat stocks are a lot more comfortable, when shooting, than the factory magna stocks.
My 66-1 snub has Pachmayr Compac grips. Not factory, but comfortable.
I'd like to have some combat stocks like yours.
Will likely have to settle for some aftermarket ones.
Or, stick with the Pachmayrs. They're comfortable and they're paid for.

BTW, IMO, those combat stocks you have are some of the finest stocks to ever grace a Smith and Wesson revolver.

My first cap gun was a plastic S&W snubby, also. I think that has something to do with why I like .38 snubs so much.

 

[Hapworth]

I'd like to have some combat stocks like yours. Will likely have to settle for some aftermarket ones.

If you like the Combats but not the current market price for them, take a look at Ahrends' version, the Retro Combats. They're very close in dimension and feel, leaving out only the "finger dishes" on each side of the stocks, which could easily be replicated if you order the stocks unfinished, gently dish and sand them, then finish with Tung oil.

 

[max]

I have the same gun and I think you are correct to stick to the 38 specials. I often remark that my snub 19 is my favorite 38 special.

 

[Jaymo]

My 66-1 stays loaded with .38s.

 

[66snub]

I only run 38's in my M19 2/12" as well. I save the 357's for L Frames.