New to me 19-5 2.5"

[skyraider]

Found this 19-5 2 1/2" not too long ago and bought it. All-in-all, it's in beautiful condition. After market stocks (Altamont); no box or paperwork, but the gun is super nice. It's actually nice enough that I will probably never shoot it (the only gun I own that I say that about). The serial # puts the ship date around 1982 according to the Standard Catalog. The only change I plan to make is the grips--most likely some period correct Rd Butt Magnas. If any of you have ideas of what you think might look good, I'm open to suggestions!

Paul Moore

 

[HarrishMasher]

Great looking gun! Super nice shape. I would definitely be shooting it though.

 

[629shooter]

That is a beauty.

You don't have to put it in your carry rotation but, you might as well take out and enjoy it at the range. They clean up.

Since you don't plan on shooting it, I'd put the Magnas on it too.

 

[DD357]

It is indeed a beautiful 19 - if I was going to shoot it and carry it it would get Compact Pro's, but since you aren't I'd put the correct ones on as well.

 

[Engine49guy]

Im a big fan of finger groove combats on the K Magnum snub,
Here is a Model 19-5 wearing smooth Magnas from a Model 65 Ladysmith, The FG combats migrated onto the 19-7 K comp.


BTW is your 19-5 an overstamped 19-4 ? the one pictured above was an overstamp 19-5 in the 250K serial prefix range,
My guess is the factory already had 19-4 frames made up but ran out of recessed cylinders so overstruck them as dash 5's.

 

[skyraider]

Im a big fan of finger groove combats on the K Magnum snub,
Here is a Model 19-5 wearing smooth Magnas from a Model 65 Ladysmith, The FG combats migrated onto the 19-7 K comp.


BTW is your 19-5 an overstamped 19-4 ? the one pictured above was an overstamp 19-5 in the 250K serial prefix range,
My guess is the factory already had 19-4 frames made up but ran out of recessed cylinders so overstruck them as dash 5's.

The finger groove combats in your picture are much longer than the Altamont ones on my 19-5 and look like they would work well. The Altamont's are too short for my hand. Maybe I'll look for some like yours.

The 19-5 stamp on the frame inside the cylinder yoke opening appears to be the initial and only stamp. I'd say no, it's not an overstamp. Mine not only has a cylinder without counterboring but it has a non-pinned barrel, so it is probably an actual 19-5.

 

[Engine49guy]

The FG combats pictured above are factory S&W grips, they are getting pricey but I believe member Kurac makes replicas .

Also my overstamp 19-4 in the pic above also had no barrel set pin, the barrel was cut for the pin but that step was eliminated, my guess is the frames were built and stamped as 19-4 with serial, then the order came down to elminate the pin so they simply did not drill the set pin hole.

IIRC that order came down with the elimination of the cylinder counterbore at the same time but we have seen recessed cylinders with non pinned barrels as the supply of recessed cylinders were used up,
Also see this in the 27-2's made in the same era.

(BTW recessed and non recessed cylinders are different lengths so are 2 completely different parts that are interchangeable , the dash 5 revision indicates the new cylinder and would not be struck for a non pinned gun with a recessed cylinder as no part changed).

 

[Door Kicker]

Nice I just got one very similar and looking at it I bet it is a re-stamp but don't know that much about them...

How much do you want for those grips if you end up replacing them?

my SN is 99k9109

 

[DocB]

Actually I like the Altamonts that are on it. I've got a nickel 19-5 with a 4 inch barrel laying right here in the drawer in front of me, and, sure enough, it's wearing Altamonts. The only thing I would even consider replacing them with is a pair of original period S&W Combats. . .just haven't found a pair I can afford yet.

 

[skyraider]

Nice I just got one very similar and looking at it I bet it is a re-stamp but don't know that much about them...

How much do you want for those grips if you end up replacing them?

my SN is 99k9109

If I find a pair of replacement stocks, I'll pm you and let you know what I would sell these for. Altamont is still making stocks and you might be able to get these very ones directly from them.

 

[skyraider]

Actually I like the Altamonts that are on it. I've got a nickel 19-5 with a 4 inch barrel laying right here in the drawer in front of me, and, sure enough, it's wearing Altamonts. The only thing I would even consider replacing them with is a pair of original period S&W Combats. . .just haven't found a pair I can afford yet.

The Altamonts are growing on me. You're right about the pricey nature of the S&W factory combats. If the Altamonts were just a little longer...I'll look around and see who else makes after market combats.