sigp220.45
US Veteran
The second Smith I ever bought for myself was a nickel Model 19 snub. (The first was a 4" Model 28 I gave to my roommate for a wedding present after he made me his best man.)
I carried the Model 19 while I drove a cab in college, usually in a paper bag next to me but often under my leg when I had sketchy passengers. It later turned into a poorly rebuilt transmission for my 71 Olds Cutlass, which I lost custody of shortly thereafter. I've been on the lookout for a nice replacement ever since. (The gun, not the Olds.)
Imagine my surprise when I saw what looked to be an actual deal at the Cabela's Gun Library in Lone Tree, CO.
I thought about it overnight, confident that it would be gone when I went back the next day. Still there.
I had some trade bait with me (a clean 5906 and a 1940s vintage H&R Sportsman) for which I was offered $140 and $60, respectively. The guy kind of cringed when he said it, expecting me to be insulted. I just said thanks, but I'll keep 'em. He seemed happy to not be scowled at, and showed me the Model 19. He came down $40, so with my 5% veteran's discount I was well under 5 bills. Some things are meant to be.
Stopped at the range on the way home. Note the 1970s trigger shoe. The Tyler T was a nice extra.
It cleaned up really well, which is hard to see in my cruddy photos. The trigger shoe came off easily once I found a tiny allen wrench.
The grips are some off-brand square butts, whittled down to approximate round butt configuration.
N for nickel. Or nickle. I'm never sure on that.
The hunt begins for some decent factory magnas. Should be an easy fix.
All business. But also shiny, which is good.
Now, if I can only replace the Jennings .22 I carried after I sold my original Model 19.
I carried the Model 19 while I drove a cab in college, usually in a paper bag next to me but often under my leg when I had sketchy passengers. It later turned into a poorly rebuilt transmission for my 71 Olds Cutlass, which I lost custody of shortly thereafter. I've been on the lookout for a nice replacement ever since. (The gun, not the Olds.)
Imagine my surprise when I saw what looked to be an actual deal at the Cabela's Gun Library in Lone Tree, CO.
I thought about it overnight, confident that it would be gone when I went back the next day. Still there.
I had some trade bait with me (a clean 5906 and a 1940s vintage H&R Sportsman) for which I was offered $140 and $60, respectively. The guy kind of cringed when he said it, expecting me to be insulted. I just said thanks, but I'll keep 'em. He seemed happy to not be scowled at, and showed me the Model 19. He came down $40, so with my 5% veteran's discount I was well under 5 bills. Some things are meant to be.
Stopped at the range on the way home. Note the 1970s trigger shoe. The Tyler T was a nice extra.
It cleaned up really well, which is hard to see in my cruddy photos. The trigger shoe came off easily once I found a tiny allen wrench.
The grips are some off-brand square butts, whittled down to approximate round butt configuration.
N for nickel. Or nickle. I'm never sure on that.
The hunt begins for some decent factory magnas. Should be an easy fix.
All business. But also shiny, which is good.
Now, if I can only replace the Jennings .22 I carried after I sold my original Model 19.
