[10-Ring]

It has a 4" barrel, hasn't seen to many rounds, adj. sights., is in about 95% condition. $275 price tag...Good deal?

[Mike Irwin]

Depending on where you are, it's a decent price or a high price.

Here in Northern Virginia it would be a fairly decent price, but since you're in California, I'd say it's a very good price.

[MonkeyMan]

Here in Georgia that would be an average price. My bosses secretary had one that belonged to her husband that she wanted to sell. Just like the one you described except maybe 85 to 90%. I had to threaten her to get her to take $175 for it. It's one sweet shooter. Check the lockup on it and the cylinder for .38 special rings. Most people I meet with M19 shoot .38's through them and they'll last forever. Great carry gun.

[Old Fuff]

I go along with Mike. The model 19 is a nice revolver but light for steady use with .357 Magnum cartridges - which is why S&W came out with the 586-686 series. If you don't expect to be shooting a lot of magnum cartridges it makes an excellent middle-weight piece to carry around. Over the years I have owned several and never been unhappy with any of them.

[Mike Irwin]

I've got 3 of them right now, 2.5, 4, and 6" models. I'm on the lookout for a 5", and one of these days I hope to get the Holy Grail of the Model 19, one with an 8 3/8" barrel on it. Never cataloged, never offered, best theory going is that they were made up by employees and snuck out in lunch boxes.

[10-Ring]

Thanks guys...hopefully it will still be there in tomorrow when I hvae time to go by the shop.

[Mannlicher]

My 4 inch Model 19-3 was carried daily for 20 years by a buddy during his police career. I bought it some time back, and have shot it extensively. I don't recall ever shooting a .38 special in it.
I replaced the springs last year, and it performs like a new gun. You simply cannot go wrong with a .357 K frame.

[Marko Kloos]

I hope to get the Holy Grail of the Model 19, one with an 8 3/8" barrel on it.

How about a 3" M19?

Ever come across one of these rare birds? This is a M19-5 with a 4" barrel, and a round butt configuration from the factory...not a re-barreled 2.5" or grip-converted 4". S&N say they made two runs of 'em...one for the ONI, and one for the State Department. The 19-5 in the picture seems to be an ex-State Department issue. (No better all-round handgun ever made, IMHO, and the last piece of my collection I'd ever part with.)

http://www.frontiernet.net/~lendringser/images/m19_l.jpg

[10-Ring]

Sweet pics! Thanks ;) Except for the grips that's what she looks like...I gotta find time tomorrow before it gets gobbled up :uhoh:

[Kahr carrier]

I Buy it ,in the Prk thats a good price.Heck call them in the morning and have them put it on layaway for you good luck.:)

[Mike Irwin]

I've seen the Model 19 3" guns, both the Lew Hortons made in 1995 (only about 75 were made, according to Supica and Nahaus), and some of the original 3" models made in the early 1960s, which are turborare.

Officially the 8 3/8" Model 19s don't exist. Never cataloged, never recognized by the factory.

[10-Ring]

THe shop actually has 2...one blue, & for $200 more, one nickle. Not being a nickle fan, the blue one caught my eye.
By the way, what is the quality of the S&W nickle finish of guns of this era? They also have a nickle 44 mag (what's that a 27? 29?) for $650, is that a good deal?

[stans]

A nickle plated 44 Magnum is a model 29 and $650 sounds way high to me. I recently bought a nickle plated 29-3, almost new condition, for $375. I also have a 19-3 with a four inch barrel. Mine was a police trade in, exterior finish is poor, but the internals are like new. It is one sweet shooting gun. I did find that shooting 110 and 125 grain magnum loads caused wear on the forcing cone of my model 19, so I try not to shoot such loads in it now, only for familiarization and defense.

[Quantrill]

After checking it out for the standard revolver defects, GRAB IT!!
Quantrill

[10-Ring]

One last question...

Is the 19 just a blued version of the 66? Like the difference between the 586 & 686? I keep seeing comments about the 19/66 and (to me) they look visually similar except for metal color/type.

[Marko Kloos]

Actually, the 66 is just a stainless version of the 19. I believe the 19 was around first. But yes, they are the same gun..one in carbon steel, one in stainless.

[SouthpawShootr]

I have a 19-4. Very nice gun. In the condition you describe, I'd go for it. While the 19 and 66 are essentially the same gun using different materials, my experience has been the action on the stainless guns never quite equalled that of the blued models. My 19 has a glass-smooth action, while my 66 has just a hint of roughness in it (neither has been worked over and both have about the same round count).

[10-Ring]

Unfortunately, I didn't have the tme today to get to the shop...since they're closed Sundays, I'll give them a shot Monday..hope they haven't sold it yet.
Thanks for all the adivce guys!

[Kahr carrier]

Good Luck hope you get it.:)

[10-Ring]

I GOT IT! :D :D I called & found out it was still available...really the revo's don't move that quickly so I wasn't too worried. Get me some polish & some new grips and I'll be stylin' :cool: