Where are the model 19s

[Tcoburn]

I just picked up a Model 19-6, 4in in box with original warranty card, manual etc. and sight tool. Exc. to Exc. +. While I was paying to much for it and started doing some research. It seemed as though the Model 19 supply is diminishing. This is my 2nd Model 19 (1st was a 19-3) and when I bought my 1st one it seemed as though I had more to chose from (even the newer ones). Does anyone else see this trend, or is just me hoping I can justify the expense?
Be Well,
Ted

 

[mr.jbk79]

There are plenty out there, but clean, high condition examples are tougher to find. People must really think a lot about them, I know I do. Nothing new here, as time passes, more are used and they don't make them anymore.

 

[azbuckeye]

I'd love to find a Model 19 to compliment my Model 66 but rarely see any 19's in the used case. Maybe some day......

 

[Thunderhawk88]

I've had mine 30 years now. It looks great, and fires great. Maybe few people want to give them up.

 

[JCS&W]

Tcoburn, overpaid for a M19? Join the club! I have some M19-3s, and they are not leaving my safe anytime soon. How do I justify overpaying for a M19? Easy, I have it and you don't! Seriously, M19's are very difficult to find in good to excellent condition in my area, especially the P&R models.

 

[jgh4445]

There are two at the Dothan gun show as I write this. Both are 4 inches and blue. Both show a good bit of use. Both are in the $650 range as I recall. Saw one 6 inch model also. It too was $600-650

 

[Dueeast]

I paid @ $650 for this 19-4 P&R. It seems to me you can save around $100 if you don't care about having the original box, etc.

 

[rimfired]

I find them growing on trees around here!

 

[Old cop]

There seems to be a general shortage of all revolvers. Maybe all of us old school types are just hanging onto our stuff.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Hmmmm...hadn't thought about this, but you raise a good point. I've noticed too that you don't see many Model 19s for sale in gun shops or at gun shows these days. But S&W made a ton of them over the years, and if they're not for sale, they must be sitting in safes or nightstands.

I would guess that people don't want to get rid of them because they are well-made, accurate, reliable, durable, and don't have that &*%$# lock. Just a great all-around shooting tool, more practical than collectible, and not the kind of gun you would part with.

My sons will inherit my Model 19...

 

[ladyT]

I find them growing on trees around here!

So, just where is "here". In my area the only time you see any of the old S&W revolvers is when someone dies.

 

[A10]

I am a big fan of the Combat Magnum, and am shopping for a good deal to replace the one I just swapped off. Watch Armslist and your local Nickel Ads, or whatever free internet advertisements you might see. It seems like that is the way the younger kids who are inheriting guns go. I've made some good trades that way. I'd suggest picking up a couple "plastic fantastic", shoot them all you want, and use them as trading stock if the opportunity arises. It seems that a lot of the younger generation think the only handgun worth a darn is a Glock. I try to educate them otherwise, but if they want to trade a first year Model 57 straight up for a Glock 17 (true story) then I won't argue too hard.....

 

[shouldazagged]

It seems that a lot of the younger generation think the only handgun worth a darn is a Glock. I try to educate them otherwise, but if they want to trade a first year Model 57 straight up for a Glock 17 (true story) then I won't argue too hard.....

I'd grab that in a New York second. Terry Pratchett defines a New York second as the shortest unit of time in the universe. It's the interval between the light turning green and the cabbie behind you blowing his horn.

 

[chud333]

Like Thunderhawk and Bemmer have already said,
They are great shooting, well made old revolvers that
they don't make no more without the stupid lock.
People who have them generally will be wanting to
hang on to them. When they do show up for sale in
very good condition they ain't cheap.
I cut my teeth on a nickel 6" model 19 and wish i still
had that one. I'm down to 2 right now and always looking
for another nice one. Combat Magnum-- A true S&W Classic.

Chuck

 

[ladyT]

If it wasn't for the ammo shortage a 4 inch 586-3 and my 19-7 snubbie would not be in my safe.

I sure would like to add a nickel model 19 snubbie to the collection.

 

[Frank237]

A very nice 19 sold yesterday on the forum for $750 , LNIB fromt he 70's. sold in like 3 minutes as I recall.

Nice, UNmolested examples, especially four inchers with the 3T-s are rare here in MT.

 

[Brian41]

Seldom see one here and when I do they're high priced. So imagine my surprise when I saw a 2 1/2 inch one a couple years ago at a good price. Turns out someone had ground off a number inside the crane on it effecting the value but for a shooter no problem. It's stamped with an N so came from factory as a nickel gun but won't shine up. I suspect it had some sort of recoat along the line and an action job too.
Nice gun for what it is and one you don't mind carrying and using.
Matter of fact it's the last 19 I've seen locally except for some unshot safe queens at silly prices.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Just speculating here, and strictly speaking revolvers, IMO the 19 is the perfect medium frame revolver when compared to others it's size and cost.

It is;
Easy to carry
Not too heavy
Powerful
Accurate
Nice to look at
And........

 

[RonJ]

I don't know where they are either but it seems that the snubbies and the 4" are most seldom seen around here. I'd love to have one of each to go with this one:

 

[30-30remchester]

The last time I checked mine was under the seat of my work truck. I guess I better check and see if it is still there or has ran away from home to a owner that with give it a bath more than once a year.

 

[rwsmith]

I just did a scan......

I just did a scan on GB and it seemed that the ones that are available that are priced under about $650 are either well worn or have 6" barrels.

 

[Gunsnwater]

Plastic. That's why you don't see revolvers. Now smith and ruger and Taurus make plastic revolvers. I'm a smith guy but the ruger is the best of the lot in plastic. Smooth trigger pull, sucks up recoil nice. But they are all ugly next to a 19. Just going to get harder to get from here on out.

 

[old bear]

There are several for sale on gun broker as I wright this. The only problem is prices are out of sight. If you really want an M-19 better get it now, and hang on to it.

 

[Model 19 6"]

I have 3 mod 19-3 2 6" and a snubby. The 2 6"ers I bought new one in March of 73 and one in june of 74

 

[raljr1]

A friend of mine bought a 2-3/4 " model 19 LNIB....the owner asked him, "you're not gonna shoot it are you?" before he sold it to him...

I have my 6" nickel version and It's been shot a bit but well cared for and it will never be for sale...I would like to add one each 4" and 2-3/4" in nickel......

 

[Nframecollector]

I just traded a 19-4 4" blued in box with all the papers and tools for a SW1911 here in south Texas. It was about 95%.

 

[pinduck]

Model 19,4inch, 3 ts

This one is lying next to me on my computer desk.
https://picasaweb.google.com/Pinduck/94inch3Ts

 

[billwill]

Picked up a 19-4 snubby recently, bout 95% and was going to use it as much as I could. My good buddy saw it and then the dealing started. So now it lives at his house but I got cash and gun smithing services as boot. Cannot go wrong selling to your gunsmith!

 

[BAM-BAM]

NO 19s around here.... but that's nothing new.

Shortly after the turn of the century.... I realized that the only 19/66s I had were my 3inch 66s ( granted I had two). I had ( well my Dad had) my 4" 686; but that was about it in revolvers. OK a Dan Wesson .22lr and a couple of J-frames.

Anyway I saw the need to replace the 4" and 2 1/2inch 19s and 66s that had somehow gotten traded or sold to friends in the late 80s and 90s.

My thought was;..... No big deal ....... there are millions of them out there;

Well IIRC it took me almost a year to find a "good" P&Red 4"66 and 18 months to find a "nice" P&Red 4"19. I think it was more like 4-5 years to get the 2 1/2inchers......... in fact I found another 3" 66 before a found a nice 2 1/2inch 19-4.

I've picked up a couple more locally over the next few years.... but don't think I've seen a "nice" 19 in at least 2 years.

Mine aren't going anywhere...... the "spares" will go to the boys!

My montra these days is ....."Gee glad I bought mine years ago!!!!!"

 

[Bill Bates]

For a few years I've thought that Model 19 and 28s are under valued. Both are great platforms for the .357 chambering. They are hard to find in near new in the box condition. They were bought as working guns and most were used and often used hard.

I look at the prices Colt Pythons, the beannie baby of handguns, are bringing these days and wonder why. You can find pretty much any variation and barrel length in near new in the box condition any day of the week if you look online. Model 19s; not so much. High condition Pythons are not rare but they bring very rare prices these days.

I put high condition 19s and 28s in the buy column. Right now they are a steal when you find them.

One of these days the market will figure out just how rare they are in high condition and then watch the prices soar.