Firemanjones
Member
My three revolvers are blue, I think blue is much better looking than stainless.
Which K frame? Model 19 vs 66
- Thread starter Shooter 9
- Start date
I have three 4" 66 (no dash) revolvers. One is a Pawn Shop reclamation. It was mechanically tight, but the previous owner had not taken care of the finish or stocks. The price was right, so I bought it.
A gunsmith friend of mine did a trigger job on the gun and a light glass beading to remove the bad scratches. A new Hogue grip, and the gun looks and shoots like new. Total investment is about $600 which means this gun will probably never leave.
From an investment angle, the gun is not worth much. From a performance and fun angle, it is priceless.
I also have one 6" Model 19 which is also fun to shoot.
Here are my complaints with both guns.
While the blued Model 19 is pretty, it is hard to keep shiny. Finger prints and oil smears show very clearly.
The 66s are easier to keep looking nice, but it is very hard to get the powder residue off of the front of the cylinder after you shoot the gun. I use a soft toothbrush and Flitz to handle this issue.
As far as which one to buy, I would say both.
A gunsmith friend of mine did a trigger job on the gun and a light glass beading to remove the bad scratches. A new Hogue grip, and the gun looks and shoots like new. Total investment is about $600 which means this gun will probably never leave.
From an investment angle, the gun is not worth much. From a performance and fun angle, it is priceless.
I also have one 6" Model 19 which is also fun to shoot.
Here are my complaints with both guns.
While the blued Model 19 is pretty, it is hard to keep shiny. Finger prints and oil smears show very clearly.
The 66s are easier to keep looking nice, but it is very hard to get the powder residue off of the front of the cylinder after you shoot the gun. I use a soft toothbrush and Flitz to handle this issue.
As far as which one to buy, I would say both.
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Point 357
US Veteran
If you are able to, get one of each. I have two 2.5 inch 19-3s and a 66-1 2.5 inch. I absolutely love these guns. One 19 has a nickel finish and the other is blued and they both have been pampered. The 66 has been out on the boat on the Chesapeake bay and woods carried with no worries. These models are absolute sweethearts.
Tom_R
Member
If you can find a pinned and recessed 66, grab that first. Vthey are harder to find.
If you can't find a pinned and recessed 66, get a pinned and recessed model 19.
If you can find either one of them in 3", grab it regardless of whether it is pinned and recessed or not.
If you can't find a pinned and recessed 66, get a pinned and recessed model 19.
If you can find either one of them in 3", grab it regardless of whether it is pinned and recessed or not.
All shooters....
Were I collecting, the 19 would be first pick. But all of my guns are shooters and in the .357 mag I prefer SS because it's easier to clean the scorched crud off the cylinder face w/o mucking up the finish.
Were I collecting, the 19 would be first pick. But all of my guns are shooters and in the .357 mag I prefer SS because it's easier to clean the scorched crud off the cylinder face w/o mucking up the finish.
DarylLawman
Member
kbm6893
Member
I bought a 19-2 4 years ago that looked brand new. I bought it for $249 from a young kid working the counter at the gun shop who clearly had no idea what he had. Thing looked like it spent 45 years in a sock drawer. Original target stocks numbered to the gun. But I sold it to buy something else. I found myself being paranoid even taking it out of he safe for fear of bumping it and marking up the perfect finish. I sold it for 3 times what I paid for it. I do wish I still had it, but I was never gonna holster it and I wear holsters at my range. Not gonna leave a gun on the table when I go check a target.
I've also sold several 66's that I also wish I still had. No more selling for me. I still have a 65-4 that is super nice
I've also sold several 66's that I also wish I still had. No more selling for me. I still have a 65-4 that is super nice
ironhead7544
Member
Everyone talks about "if I only had one gun". I once really had to make that choice. I kept the 6 inch M19, TT,TH. The sights are just right. I could make hits way out there. Very accurate, I think the sights are a big part of that. Patridge is the way to go for all around. JMHO.
DarylLawman
Member
19 for sure
RevolverDen
Member
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Buy them both.... You can't go wrong.
Exactly! I just went through this, even put up a poll to see the positions of those who may not comment on the matter. Blued finish was a poll favorite. Even though I have initially went with a 629, there will be 29 Blued finish in the near future to accompany the stainless model. Variety is the spice of life, and yes, how can you not fall in love with a gorgeous blued revolver with a nice set of either vintage walnut or contemporary rosewood grips?
ILTim
Member
I've always thought it was rather silly to have different model numbers for blue and stainless. And why not nickle? Simply because that's a finish applied after the fact and could be altered, I guess, but anyway - they (all three) are the very same gun.
There is MUCH MORE different between the various dash numbers than between finishes.
Ultimately, you NEED at least one S&W in stainless and one in blue. From there you can go any way you like.
There is MUCH MORE different between the various dash numbers than between finishes.
Ultimately, you NEED at least one S&W in stainless and one in blue. From there you can go any way you like.
DarylLawman
Member
I would take the 19 for sure
helmsp
Member
I had both. The 19 is beautiful but the 66 is more...efficient. Due to the stainless look you wont have problems removing rust, dirt, etc. More difficult on the 19 because I'm afraid to damage the blueing.
Also, on the 19 you see way more finger prints and smudges.
Also, on the 19 you see way more finger prints and smudges.
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highpower3006
Member
It is amazing how much discussion there is about the merits of stainless vs. blued vs. nickel.
Really they are the same gun, just with slightly different cosmetics. My first personal experience with the 19/66 S&W's came just a few years ago when I picked up a 66 no dash for what was too good a price to pass up.
For some reason, even though I had a premier K frame, I began to desire a 19 to go with it. I finally found a 19-2 for a reasonable price and picked it up too. Quite honestly, I would be hard pressed to pick between the two. Both are attractive in their own way and I would say that either will give you great pride of ownership.
Really they are the same gun, just with slightly different cosmetics. My first personal experience with the 19/66 S&W's came just a few years ago when I picked up a 66 no dash for what was too good a price to pass up.
For some reason, even though I had a premier K frame, I began to desire a 19 to go with it. I finally found a 19-2 for a reasonable price and picked it up too. Quite honestly, I would be hard pressed to pick between the two. Both are attractive in their own way and I would say that either will give you great pride of ownership.
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