S&W Model 19-3 2.5" Question UPDATE!!!!!

[squidsix]

I responded via PM, but this is a point maybe better made here:
Wouldn't it be somewhat likely that these revolvers got a front sight replacement when the RR became readily available? That would explain the RR/Blue rear combos I have seen. I know, the rear sight is more readily/easily changed, but I think a shooter is going to change out his front sight first.

 

[BigBoku]

Sorry, I figured that with the thread title being what it is it would be sort of a given. Yes, it is a 2 1/2 inch barrel. I seem to remember a thread here at the forum a few years back where people were showing their 2 1/2 inch barrel Model 19s and there was quite a few 2 1/2 inch 19-3s that had the TT, TS, RR and WO combination, I wonder if S&W simply had a surplus of the Target Triggers and Target Hammers on hand.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, my 19-3 also has the trigger stop.

Nothing at all to be sorry about as your response is very much appreciated!!!!!

If you have any pictures of your model 19-3 snubby can you post one please, I would love to see the gun and especially the trigger stop.........

 

[BigBoku]

I responded via PM, but this is a point maybe better made here:
Wouldn't it be somewhat likely that these revolvers got a front sight replacement when the RR became readily available? That would explain the RR/Blue rear combos I have seen. I know, the rear sight is more readily/easily changed, but I think a shooter is going to change out his front sight first.

Thats a very good possibility as the serial number dates my 19-3 to 1975 which SNW19_357 posted was when the RR became standard on the Model 66 with the solid Blue Rear sight!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[clubleaf206]

Nothing at all to be sorry about as your response is very much appreciated!!!!!

If you have any pictures of your model 19-3 snubby can you post one please, I would love to see the gun and especially the trigger stop.........

Here are a couple. You can see the trigger stop inside the trigger guard, behind the trigger.

And a picture of the recessed cylinder goodness.

 

[BigBoku]

Here are a couple. You can see the trigger stop inside the trigger guard, behind the trigger.

And a picture of the recessed cylinder goodness.

Thanks for sharing Club, That is one mean looking snub, this is my first P&R gun and I am hooked on the looks of these Model 19 Snubs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[snw19_357]

...I am hooked on the looks of these Model 19 Snubs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUGGER!!! More competition.

 

[clubleaf206]

Thanks for sharing Club, That is one mean looking snub, this is my first P&R gun and I am hooked on the looks of these Model 19 Snubs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll have to try to get a better photo from the side, I have trouble getting good photos of nickled firearms.

I used to really dislike nickled handguns, they were too "pimp daddy" for me, but I've changed the way I feel about them over the years. The same can be said for grip adapters, I disliked them even more than nickle finishes, that changed just a couple of years ago and, as a matter of fact I was really surprised the first time I fired this Model 19 with them on. Today I like the old school aspect of them and I take my hat off to the man who first invented them.

 

[stevieboy]

My nickle 19-3 2 1/2", serial # K953xxx, has a blued rear sight, no white outline, and a nickle front ramp sight, no insert. Mine was made in 1972.

 

[BigBoku]

I'll have to try to get a better photo from the side, I have trouble getting good photos of nickled firearms.

I used to really dislike nickled handguns, they were too "pimp daddy" for me, but I've changed the way I feel about them over the years. The same can be said for grip adapters, I disliked them even more than nickle finishes, that changed just a couple of years ago and, as a matter of fact I was really surprised the first time I fired this Model 19 with them on. Today I like the old school aspect of them and I take my hat off to the man who first invented them.

I have always liked grip adapters as the combo of S&W Magna Grips coupled with a Tyler T adapter just fits my hand perfectly. In regards to the Nickled guns, I have owned a few over the years but was never a big fan. However your model 19 has struck a chord and just may be my next purchase............

 

[BigBoku]

My nickle 19-3 2 1/2", serial # K953xxx, has a blued rear sight, no white outline, and a nickle front ramp sight, no insert. Mine was made in 1972.

Thanks Stevieboy, post a picture of that nickel beauty if you dont mind, the RR and WO did not become standard production to 1975.

 

[snw19_357]

...the RR and WO did not become standard production to 1975.

For the stainless Model 66, even then, WO was not standard.

Until the blued Model 19 was discontinued (1999), standard was blued front sight and plain blue rear sight leaf.

 

[lev83]

I have a 19-3 in 2.5 great pistol. Front sight is all black

 

[lev83]

I have a 19-3 in 2.5 great pistol. Front sight is all black

 

[BigBoku]

For the stainless Model 66, even then, WO was not standard.

Until the blued Model 19 was discontinued (1999), standard was blued front sight and plain blue rear sight leaf.

Thanks for the clarification Chris............

 

[BigBoku]

I have a 19-3 in 2.5 great pistol. Front sight is all black

Thanks for adding more info to the thread, Lev83....Awesome revolvers they are.................

 

[BigBoku]

OK, I finally got my letter from Roy Jinks in regards to my Model 19-3 and I also was able to contact the original owner I bought the gun from and she was very helpful as well.

The S&W Company Records indicate this model 19-3 shipped from the factory on March 11, 1977 and was delivered to John Jovino Co here in NY, NY. The revolver shipped with the 2.5" barrel with the standard ramp front sight and rear sight. The red ramp sight was added after the revolver shipped.

Here is where it all comes together. I was able to contact the original owner that I purchased the gun from through a mutual friend. She told me they owned a restaurant in Little Italy and her cousin was a NYCPD officer and talked her into buying a handgun for protection as she carried cash from the business to the bank or home on Staten Island. He took her to the gun store on Grand Street that as she said " all the cops went to" (Jovino's) and she purchased the gun brand new. The owner convinced her to let him "do some work" so it was easier to shoot for her. Thats how the Red ramp made it onto the gun and thast why the action is silky smooth, Its a Jovino job.

Now after all is said and done, I have a new project on my mind and will be posting this one in the classifieds for sale, my wife says I have a short attention span lol.

I wanted to thank everyone for all the help and post the update.

 

[mc5aw]

Boku ... All this 19 talk made me go into the safe and check out my own 2.5" 19-3. It is blue, has a front insert sight, WO rear, as well as TH and TT. Serial # is 5K92xxx. I need to have it lettered to see if there's an interesting history to it.

 

[lhump1961]

Had to check mine, too! 6K from 1974, no RR, no WO, but does have the trigger stop. Might be a plain jane 19-3 but I love it!

Is there a "plain jane" 19-3? Nothing plain about them to me! Did you ever take a picture of a pre-1980 blued gun with the light angle just right and have it look like nickle?

 

[killswitch917]

My nickel 19-3 has a red ramp front .

 

[BigBoku]

Had to check mine, too! 6K from 1974, no RR, no WO, but does have the trigger stop. Might be a plain jane 19-3 but I love it!

Is there a "plain jane" 19-3? Nothing plain about them to me! Did you ever take a picture of a pre-1980 blued gun with the light angle just right and have it look like nickle?

Nothing Plain Jane about any 19-3, But there is plenty to love about them.

KillSwitch yours should also have a WO rear sight.