Dakotakid
Member
had one--really liked it !! using a 3" Andy Horvath now---love it !!!
People who owned Model 19 snub noses, what do/did you think of them?
- Thread starter MagnumForce73
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Marshal Tom
Member
Had a 2.5" 66-2 purchased NIB and carried it for a few years. I sold it to purchase a 3" 66-2 for the longer sight radius, longer ejector rod to extract empties and love the 3" gun. Never had a 19.
When the snub 19 was born in the 60s, the only .357 loads were 158gr lead and jacketed bullet rounds. SORRY, R-P did make a 158gr jacketed SP then and maybe Norma too. While the RB snub 19 was great for concealment, it was a brute when firing magnum loads. The gun would 'dive' into the hand, making follow-up shots difficult. Tyler T-Grips (available all over back then!) helped, but many people went to the Pach ComPac grips which did tame the recoil and that 'dive' tendency. Unfortunately, they added a lot of weight to the gun, where it weighed about as much as the 4" model, but with lesser ballistics.
The intro of the 110gr JHP magnums was a Godsend: their ballistics were not as hot as the 158s and the 125gr "planet wreckers", but they allowed the snub 19/66 to be controlled in rapid fire. My snub 66s have factory grips and T-Grips and are loaded with the 110 Mags. Magnificent guns, I have no complaints.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
The intro of the 110gr JHP magnums was a Godsend: their ballistics were not as hot as the 158s and the 125gr "planet wreckers", but they allowed the snub 19/66 to be controlled in rapid fire. My snub 66s have factory grips and T-Grips and are loaded with the 110 Mags. Magnificent guns, I have no complaints.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Separate post, but I finally landed a 19-2 snubby this year. To me an absolutely beautiful revolver, nothing quite like it. Having said that, the muzzle flash and weight do not make for a great carry gun, at least not for me.
I don't shoot it or any revolver very well, and as much as I love wheel guns, my 43x will ring an 8" plate each time every time from 25', and it's light enough that I don't even know I have it on me. That confidence level ensures it's with me anytime I leave home.
Still, the 19-2 is fun to shoot, and makes frequent range trips. If you want one, and who doesn't? Stop waiting, finding a nice 19-2/-3 for less than $1000-1200 is almost impossible. They ain't getting any cheaper, and like real estate, they ain't making any more.
I don't shoot it or any revolver very well, and as much as I love wheel guns, my 43x will ring an 8" plate each time every time from 25', and it's light enough that I don't even know I have it on me. That confidence level ensures it's with me anytime I leave home.
Still, the 19-2 is fun to shoot, and makes frequent range trips. If you want one, and who doesn't? Stop waiting, finding a nice 19-2/-3 for less than $1000-1200 is almost impossible. They ain't getting any cheaper, and like real estate, they ain't making any more.
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Loyaljeeper
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In 2017 I walked into a pawn shop and found a rough but honest pinned 2.5" model 19 priced at 899. I thought what a shame. I would like to own it. I looked closer and realized it was priced at $399. I held it and realized it was tight and smooth. The shop owner said he could do $360 out the door. He pointed to some new 38 j frames and says I do them brand new for $399. This may be the best gun deal I have found in the last 10 years. I took it to the range and it outshoots my 4" revolvers.
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I have a 2 1/2" Model 19-3
and a 2 1/2" Model 19-5.
I have probably fired ten times as many rounds through the Model 19-5, but that's just because I've had it a lot longer than the Model 19-3.
Both are wonderful guns, and I plan to hang onto them.
and a 2 1/2" Model 19-5.
I have probably fired ten times as many rounds through the Model 19-5, but that's just because I've had it a lot longer than the Model 19-3.
Both are wonderful guns, and I plan to hang onto them.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
Gryff
Member
The 2-1/2" M66 was my father's favorite revolver. I actually like my -3 3" better. I think the aesthetics of the longer barrel are more handsome, not to mention that you get a full-length ejector rod with it. I think my father would have appreciated it to if he had the opportunity to see one.
I was able to pick up a 3" M65-5 Lady Smith last year for a steal (at least here in California). "Lady Smith" markings or not, that's nice handgun for defensive use.
I was able to pick up a 3" M65-5 Lady Smith last year for a steal (at least here in California). "Lady Smith" markings or not, that's nice handgun for defensive use.
Capt. F.
Member
Back in the late 80s I let all my snubby and 4 inch 19/66s go to trades or sold to friends.... the only ones I kept were my "best in class" 3" 66s.
As we entered the 21st Century decided I wanted to replace them.... took me almost 10 years to find P&Red samples of shooter grade and/or really nice examples in LGS's.
As we entered the 21st Century decided I wanted to replace them.... took me almost 10 years to find P&Red samples of shooter grade and/or really nice examples in LGS's.
Love my 19-3 and 66-1 snubbies. I keep reminding myself that I really only need one of them, and because of the stainless, the 66 gets carried more. But it's impossible to not just love a blued 2.5" model 19!
Both of mine need a good cleaning and polish before resting from Winter carry duties. But it's a labor of love. I just find it hard to draw the line and tell myself "Time to park these until colder weather again", but I'll get around to it.
I just prefer to sweat on a plastic gun in the summer.
Both of mine need a good cleaning and polish before resting from Winter carry duties. But it's a labor of love. I just find it hard to draw the line and tell myself "Time to park these until colder weather again", but I'll get around to it.
I just prefer to sweat on a plastic gun in the summer.
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StickShift
Member
2.5" 19s/66s are nice, but I much prefer the longer ejector rod of my 3" Model 66. All of the other differences between the 2.5" and 3" are minor compared to functionality of longer ejector rod.
A nickel 19-3 P&R and a 66-2 here. I never carry either, but I always take at least one on range trips. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all love shooting them as much as I do. They all think it's "cool" to shoot a snubnose. Truth be told, so do I!
Truth be told, so do I!
I have a Model 66 2 1/2" barrel and like it a lot. Usually goes with us in the car when we go somewhere.
sipowicz
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The short 66 is a great revolver. As a young Officer I ocassionally found myself in assignments that didn't require a full duty belt. I bought a 2.5" 66 and used it in a pancake style holster.
When shooting, I disliked the short ejection rod. I found little difference between my duty 66 4" and the snub. I did shoot the bigger version better, so after awhile I sold off the 2.5" and stuck with the duty piece.
While I still wouldn't carry it - wish I hadn't sold it.
Still have the duty revolver though...
When shooting, I disliked the short ejection rod. I found little difference between my duty 66 4" and the snub. I did shoot the bigger version better, so after awhile I sold off the 2.5" and stuck with the duty piece.
While I still wouldn't carry it - wish I hadn't sold it.
Still have the duty revolver though...
The short 66 is a great revolver. As a young Officer I ocassionally found myself in assignments that didn't require a full duty belt. I bought a 2.5" 66 and used it in a pancake style holster.
When shooting, I disliked the short ejection rod. I found little difference between my duty 66 4" and the snub. I did shoot the bigger version better, so after awhile I sold off the 2.5" and stuck with the duty piece.
While I still wouldn't carry it - wish I hadn't sold it.
Still have the duty revolver though...
Nice customized grips..... did a couple sets of those in the 80s when wood Targets "take offs" were about $15 in LGSs.
I liked the snubby for weekend concealed carry.... but grabbed the first 3" 66 I came across for the ejector rod and it was just tooo cooooool>
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flash60601
US Veteran
Me too. I love 'em.
I have a set of 19-3's (2-1/2", 4", 6") and though I shoot the 4" most, the 2-1/2 is my favorite of the bunch. Five out of six on the 18" gong at the 50 yard targets is a good day for full-house 158 gr Keith SWC's. The thing is phenomenally accurate, and it just seems to fit the hand just right.
I carried it in the days when I worked at the LGS, in a Ross basket-weave thumb-snap holster. It fit my carry style on the belt at 3 o'clock, and the weight was inconsequential.
In the seventies, it was what every young cop, every private guard, and every wannabe lusted for.
There's just something about a P&R 19 that speaks of quality and pride of ownership.
I have a set of 19-3's (2-1/2", 4", 6") and though I shoot the 4" most, the 2-1/2 is my favorite of the bunch. Five out of six on the 18" gong at the 50 yard targets is a good day for full-house 158 gr Keith SWC's. The thing is phenomenally accurate, and it just seems to fit the hand just right.
I carried it in the days when I worked at the LGS, in a Ross basket-weave thumb-snap holster. It fit my carry style on the belt at 3 o'clock, and the weight was inconsequential.
In the seventies, it was what every young cop, every private guard, and every wannabe lusted for.
There's just something about a P&R 19 that speaks of quality and pride of ownership.
