Picked Up a Smith Model 19-3

[Dr. Marneaus]

I see a HOOK with a model 66,10,14,15,13,65 etc hanging as bait!!! Welcome to the HOOKED CLUB!!! There is no known cure. When you get one of each, you will start doubling up!!!! Just grin and bear it. Again welcome to the forum from Arkansas!

This man speaks the truth!

I picked up the aforementioned 66, and was introduced to the perfection that is the K-frame combat magnum. I recently picked up a 65 3" round butt, and my eyes light up every time i see a k frame posted for sale, or in a shop. some day i'll have the money to get them all lol

 

[justakyguy]

Thanks everyone! I agree, nickel finish is a soft, shiny, beautiful finish, definitely distinct from stainless. I always knew I'd love Smiths especially when I finally owned one, but I love her so much that I definitely think I'm hooked. I have a Charter Arms Bulldog, which is a great gun, and love shooting it, but I like my Model 19 Smith so much that I am now thinking I will trade my bulldog for another Smith! Still a little unsure what cleaner to use, also, what about the wood? Should I put anything on that to enhance it? This is going to be a shooter but also a shelf gun. So I want to make sure I use the right product on her. I'm hearing conflicting suggestions but to keep it simple what is the best cleaner/polish I can go buy at Walmart or somewhere to use? I plan to clean her up as soon as possible, then put a few .38 in her for test drive. As of now I want to use the softest, easiest on finish cleaner I can find that will polish her up and clean her while preserving the finish and safeguarding the wood grip. I know I definitely won't use Hoppes or anything solvent or abrasive. And as far as rag, I'll just use like a regular plain soft microfiber rag.

 

[justakyguy]

Also, still wondering how the warranty works? Since I bought the gun used, does Smith's original warranty still apply? This is my first used firearm purchase so not sure how that works.

 

[BUFF]

S&W's warranty was for a year when your gun was made, protecting against failures of workmanship or materials, so your gun is long past that.

The current lifetime service policy began for guns made in in the late 1980's, I believe, and applies to original owners although they often fix guns now owned by subsequent owners if they were made in the current warranty age.

 

[Dr. Marneaus]

I've found for wooden stocks on both hand guns and long guns the best polish and preservative is the like that come from my hand ;-)

 

[MCorps0311]

Congrats,that an awesome looking S&W 19-3 revolver,you have there justakyguy .

 

[justakyguy]

Thanks guys! I called S&W today to get some more info on it, he said it was definitely from 1976. He called it a "Combat Magnum" or something to that effect, so I guess that was the original description of the 19-3 of that year or something. I asked him about cleaning,he said anything without ammonia is fine. He said Hoppes Elite or Ballistol would be ok. I'll probably go with Ballistol. I also asked the guy about ammo, he said mainly just avoid going crazy with hot magnum loads, something I wouldn't do anyway. Probably won't shoot many magnums but if I do, it will probably be factory 158 gr or something not hot. He also said to avoid +p, not sure if he meant just overly hot magnums, or if he meant .38+p, because even .38+p are not as hot as low-power magnums..but at any rate, I'll probably stick to .38 mostly.
Going to try and track down some Ballistol and give her a good cleaning this weekend and take her to the range soon!

 

[JP@AK]

I called S&W today to get some more info on it, he said it was definitely from 1976.

We don't know who you talked to, but I would bet even money that if you lettered it, the letter would date the shipment to 1977.

He called it a "Combat Magnum" or something to that effect, so I guess that was the original description of the 19-3 of that year or something.

All Model 19 revolvers, regardless of dash number, were called the Combat Magnum. The name goes back to the time before model numbers. It was introduced in 1955 as the Combat Magnum. When it started wearing a model number in 1958, it was called the Model 19 Combat Magnum.

 

[silentflyer]

I spray my nickle guns down with WD40, let them soak for an hour or so, then clean it with Hoppes, then flush the gun with lighter fluid, wipe it dry and apply Rem Oil or any good quality gun oil rub it on with a clean cloth and put it in the gun safe, never had an issue with the nickle finish. I have a Model 57 nickle that a bought with a "dull" finish Semicrome polish cleaned it up nicely, then the WD40/flush with lighter fluid and Rem Oil, shines like a new dime now. Enjoy the 19, I have a 4"blue one that's sweet to shoot with 158 grain JSP or cast SWC's. Use it as a cold weather concealed carry piece.

 

[justakyguy]

I just called and they transferred me to some guy I guess in the used section or revolver person. I gave him the serial number and he said 1976. The guy at Bud's told me 1967 but I know that's not right. But could be 1977 I guess. I guess it's one of those two. When I bought it from Bud's, I had no clue about the model or anything, I just knew I had to have it. I've learned so much!

 

[Engine49guy]

Nice K frame nickel 19-3 !
A few brief notes:
The Model 19 was first called "The Combat Magnum" because prior to the introduction of S&W model numbers all S&W handguns had "Names" ,

There is a little confusion of the Model 19-3 introduction around 1968 because of a slight overlap in the Model 19-2 and Model 19-3 revision (Basically relocated the fwd screw of the rear site slightly away from the blast area above the forcing cone)... otherwise the 19-2 nd the 19-3 are mechanically same gun....(revision changes denote a part change)

Your 19-3 is fine with "ANY" .38 special ammo including +p and +P+ which are less powerful than .357 Magnum,

The K frame Magnum was developed with the then standard 158 grain .357 Magnum load, years later in an attempt to push the performance envelope lighter loads were offered such as the 110 grain and 115 grain .357 Magnum loads, those lighter loads accelerated faster and made the "Jump" from the cylinder to the barrel milliseconds sooner, apparently since that "Jump" happened as the super hot gasses were still burning cracked forcing cones began to serendipitously appear in Model 19's at the 6 "O" clock position where it is thinnest.

If you stick to a diet of any .38 special for punching holes in paper with the occasional use of 158 grain Magnums your "K" Magnum should run fine for your lifetime.

 

[justakyguy]

Thanks for all the comments guys! Question I should have asked earlier but didn't? How often do you recommend cleaning it? Obviously I'd clean it after I shot it, but how often should I give it a clean. And should I just leave the grip alone, or remove it to clean under? My inclination for now is to just leave it alone and clean the rest. Thanks again!

 

[CajunBass]

The Model 19 was my first real handgun love. I was a teen-ager, working downtown in the big city, which for a country boy, fresh off the farm, was a real adventure. I walked into a drug store on Broad Street, and saw a magazine rack. On the rack I saw the first copy of "Guns and Ammo" magazine I'd ever seen. WOW...a magazine about nothing but guns...Who knew? (I really didn't.)

Anyway on the cover of that magazine was the picture of a revolver, done as only G&A could do, with the words..."SMITH & WESSON MODEL 19 COMBAT MAGNUM" in bold print. I thought "Man, that is what a handgun is supposed to look like." In all my years since, I haven't seen anything to change my opinion.

I said in another thread, that I go back and forth between the Model 15 and the Model 19 as to which I like best. Since this is about the 19, I like that one best now. I've owned several over the years, including a 19-4, in nickel. These days, I just have the one, a 19-4, in blue.



How often to clean it? Well, when you shoot it of course, but I don't go out of my way otherwise. I'll wipe mine off with a rag if it gets fingerprints, or something like that on it. I don't ever take the sideplate off. I do remove the grips so I can clean under them. I'll spray the internals with gunscrubber or something like that every so often, then put a couple of drops of oil here and there.

I shoot 38 Special ammo in mine about 99.999% of the time. Paper targets don't take much killing.

Welcome to the forum. Pull up a chair, set on the floor. Coffee will be ready soon.

And enjoy your 19. I know you will.

 

[Checkman]

I'm partial to the 6" barrel. Here is my 19-3 with a birthday sometime in 1974.

 

[KEN L]

I believe your gun is probably from around Nov 1977.

 

[bananaman]

Welcome to the FORUM! Good looking 19 you have there! I am 63, and yet to have owned a nickel gun. The proper opportunity has not come along. They are capable of having a stunning shine! Enjoy yours! Bob

 

[justakyguy]

Sprayed her down with some Ballistol the other day, cleaned out the bore and cylinder holes some. Shines really good, the Ballistol seemed to work well. Still a few blemishes on the nickel, hopefully some wax can get rid of those. The front of the cylinder face is black too I noticed. Guess just carbon buildup. I ordered some Renaissance wax after hearing great things about it. Hopefully it will bring the shiny finish out and protect it. Might try some CLP Break Free next cleaning, to see if it differs any from Ballistol, and finish it off with some Renaissance.

Thanks for the clarification on the date, I definitely think it's from 1976-77.

 

[justakyguy]

Got some CLP Break Free, did a bit more spot cleaning, and then got some Renaissance Wax, and rubbed some of that in with an old cotton t-shirt. Still a few blemishes here & there, & a couple spots on the cylinder, but all in all I think she looks nice!

 

[justakyguy]

I'm partial to the 6" barrel. Here is my 19-3 with a birthday sometime in 1974.

Man that is beautiful!! I'm going to be on the lookout for a nice blued one too. Saw a couple in Bud's the other day, one was a 3 inch .38, not sure the model, the other was a 19 from the 50s or 60s but was insanely expensive. Blued Smiths are a thing of beauty.

 

[snowman.45]

I have my 19-3 6". I also have my 66-2 4" and my 66-2 3". Unfortunately, I have yet to take photos of the 66's.