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What makes a model 19 a combat magnum?
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Ashlander
Member
The Combat Masterpiece was the K-frame Model 15 (adjustable sight, great balance in .38 Special). When S&W decided to make a K-frame that could shoot .357 Magnum, they bulked up the Model 15, added a shroud over the ejector rod and called it a Combat Magnum, Model 19.
All true, but it should be noted that both the Combat Masterpiece (.38 Special) and the Combat Magnum (.357 Magnum) were both introduced before the advent of model numbers. So, for a short while they were not Model 15 or Model 19 revolvers, respectively. They just had the names.
A "Combat Masterpiece" is a 38 Special.
A "Combat Magnum" is a 357 Magnum...(Or the modern Model 69 in 44 Magnum, but I don't think anybody actually calls it that.) It has as others have said, a heavier barrel, a shrouded ejector rod, and a slightly longer cylinder than a Combat Masterpiece.
A "Combat Magnum" is a 357 Magnum...(Or the modern Model 69 in 44 Magnum, but I don't think anybody actually calls it that.) It has as others have said, a heavier barrel, a shrouded ejector rod, and a slightly longer cylinder than a Combat Masterpiece.
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S&W "named" their guns...for example.. the "Military & Police or M&P"; the "K-22 Masterpiece", Combat Masterpiece, Combat Magnum"
In about 1956 the Fed. Government.... mandated model numbers on firearms......... I don't know why! And gun began to show up with model #s stamped on the yoke's in 1957.....................
The guns above became the Models 10, 17,15 and Model 19.
Too add to your confusion........ The model 17 and 18 are basically the same gun except the 17 has a 6" barrel and the 18 has a 4" barrel.
Now the Model 19 can be had with a 2 1/2 barrel inch as well as 3,4 and 6 inch barrels.
My advice is to get a copy of the Standard Catalog S&W 4th Edition. Kind of the Bible for S&W collectors.........................
In about 1956 the Fed. Government.... mandated model numbers on firearms......... I don't know why! And gun began to show up with model #s stamped on the yoke's in 1957.....................
The guns above became the Models 10, 17,15 and Model 19.
Too add to your confusion........ The model 17 and 18 are basically the same gun except the 17 has a 6" barrel and the 18 has a 4" barrel.
Now the Model 19 can be had with a 2 1/2 barrel inch as well as 3,4 and 6 inch barrels.
My advice is to get a copy of the Standard Catalog S&W 4th Edition. Kind of the Bible for S&W collectors.........................
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elpac3
Member
The model 14 was .38 special, the model 18 was .22 RF.
elpac3
Member
On another note, I have heard that S&W made "Pairs" of revolvers like the model 14 and model 17, the model 15 and model 18 in .38 and .22 Rf with the same physical dimensions and weights so you could introduce new shooters to, practice and familiarize with the RF version then carry the larger caliber.
Short answer:
COMBAT = 4" barrel (this is a generality).
BAM-BAM said:
I think BAM-BAM meant to say the model 17, a .22 cal. revolver (prior to 1957 called the K-22 Masterpiece), and the model 18 (prior to 1957 called the K-22 Combat Masterpiece), a .22 cal. revolver, are the same gun except the 17 has a 6" barrel and the 18 has a 4" barrel.
Or,
BAM-BAM might have meant:
Model 14 (prior to 1957 called K-38 Masterpiece), a .38 cal. revolver, has a 6" barrel and the exact same gun except in a 4" barrel is the Model 15 (prior to 1957 called the K-38 Combat Masterpiece).
Prior to 1957 the .357 Combat Magnum came only in 4" barrel. After 1957 it was changed to the Model 19 and then eventually was offered in 2.5" and 6" barrels in addition to the original 4" ("Combat") barrel.
Yes . . . .
series guy
Member
Usually anything designated combat will have a 4" barrel. Better as a carry or "fighting" gun. Target oriented guns ( adjustable sights, 6" barrels) will be "masterpieces" and Magnum calibers will be "magnums". When the L frames arrived they were identified by being labeled "distinguished ".
Thanks...... was still on my first cup of coffee..... and blurred my 14/15 and 17/18s...... which example to use....
What I did get right....LOL .....is there were less than 100 3" 19s made in the mid-70s ..... as well as some 3" fixed sighted blue K-frame .357s made for the French Police/ secret service/Presidential security detail.......
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I would only add the following observation to the Masterpiece series . . . the factory referred to any barrel length less than 6" as "Combat" . . . including the special-ordered 5" lengths.
As long as we're generalizing, "Combat" guns were generally equipped with a Baughman ramp front sight in keeping with their carry and fighting use and "Target" guns . . . in addition to their adjustable rear sights . . . were generally equipped with a Patridge front sight in keeping with their target use.
Exceptions to the above are too numerous to mention but can be comforting to those of us who like everything S&W to be neat and consistent
kpoesq369
US Veteran
A 4 inch barrel and ramp sights is usually a "combat", patridge sights are usually a "masterpiece" from what I've seen. I have seen Mdl 14s with a 4inch barrel.
As to who made them combat magnums? Bill Jordan, that's who. He worked with S&W to make what he thought was the ultimate police revolver.
As to who made them combat magnums? Bill Jordan, that's who. He worked with S&W to make what he thought was the ultimate police revolver.
larryofcc
SWCA Member
Don't forget the elusive K32 or M16. It was also made with a 4" bbl. but they are super rare. 6" was standard. Big Larry
This model name vs model number carries on in the J frames as well. The .38 Chiefs Special and the .38 Chiefs Special Airweight became the model 36 and model 37 when they numbered them in 1957. Also the Centennial and Centennial Airweight the model 40 and 42 and the Bodyguard Airweight the model 38. The Bodyguard, steel frame model 49, was never not a model numbered gun. It started production in 1959. All of this has nothing to do with your question..I am just trying to showing that all early S&W revolvers had model names which were usually more descriptive before they had model numbers in all of their frame sizes.
LOL..... always liked the fact they skipped assigning " Model 13" ....... until 1974..........................unlucky I guess.
jmr986
Member
Thanks to the OP I was wondering the same thing! And, thanks to all who answered.
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
I cannot help but notice that no one has yet to mention the stainless steel versions of the revolvers referenced thus far:
Combat Masterpiece = Model 15 (blued steel), Model 67 (stainless steel)
Combat Magnum = Model 19 (blued steel), Model 66 (stainless steel)
Distinguished Combat Magnum = Model 568 (blued), Model 686 (stainless)
M&P revolver (.38 Special) = Model 10 (blued), Model 64 (stainless)
Regards,
Dave
Combat Masterpiece = Model 15 (blued steel), Model 67 (stainless steel)
Combat Magnum = Model 19 (blued steel), Model 66 (stainless steel)
Distinguished Combat Magnum = Model 568 (blued), Model 686 (stainless)
M&P revolver (.38 Special) = Model 10 (blued), Model 64 (stainless)
Regards,
Dave
