A Real Find

[exbrit49]

It was purchased from an old friends wife, She has always hated firearms and asked if i wanted to buy it. I said "yes I am always on the lookout for older models", which she already knew.
When It came to price, she named the price and i DID advise it was worth quite a lot more. She asked another question. "Will you use it" and I said "Yes".
She said "OK then thats the price I want and give it a good home".

I found a high Standard Double 9 not too long ago in similar circumstances, Same with a Dan Wesson model 15.

I have never been bashful about letting people know I am always looking for the older models and its surprising how many phone calls I get.Many are in bad shape but every so often.................Its the right one.
Still looking for a 4 inch Model 19 now. Got the 6 inch but hoping to find a 4 inch this year.

 

[rklessdriver]

Nice. You got a great deal on it.

I've carried a DS daily for over 10yrs. Tried to bring myself to retire it for Smith J frames numerous times but I keep comming back to my Colt.
Will

 

[Dframe]

Welcome to the wonderful world of D frame Colts. The detective is my favorite revolver and they shoot extremely well. I'm very jealous of the price you got. Don't be fooled by the "keyboard commandos". To hear them tell it you have to have the guns timing worked on every time you shoot a box of ammo.

 

[Lacos]

Good price from a good friend. Congrats.

 

[exbrit49]

The Sky is falling

So I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no one else has.

Read the post by Archie and was a little surprised at the doom and gloom response

Older Colts are valued by many long time fans and if they were as bad as he states, they would have been relegated to the same "no one wants it" status as the cheap Saturday Night Specials of 20 years ago.
I am no novice when it comes to firearms and I very carefully inspected the item before purchase, I noted in my initial post that timing was spot on.
It still is after another 150 rounds through it and I think the Colt will outlast me!
If It doesn't I can make a new hand and I have no problem filing and stoning and fitting a new hand. I have replaced several on some very old revolvers and several Italian Remington and Colt cap and ball revolvers. I am not a certified gunsmith but I sure can work on all my collection. But as noted, I think the Colt will outlast me. It wont be a "gun safe queen", its going to get used - a lot.
The wonderful old Colts, S &W, Dan Wessons should be enjoyed . I dont buy guns to look at! I buy them to shoot. I have several revolvers from the late 1800s and they get their range time too. The only problem with a couple of them is the cost of rimfire ammo, especially the .32 Cals

 

[rswartsell]

Good luck finding the 4" Mod 19. I love mine, actually prefer it to the Python I used to own. Bill Jordan got it right for combat handling in the earlier days of the .357. If I HAD to be in a gunfight with a .357, I would choose this even today (or possibly a Ruger Security Six). This racehorse was not however born to drag a plow, I do observe the bullet weight limitation avoiding bullets that are less than 158 gr.

To clarify, another urban myth is that 19's are fragile and will crack forcing cones requiring barrel replacement. This "myth" has some bona-fides. Look for cracking or erosion in used examples. This problem came to the fore with the advent of hyper-velocity .357 light bullet loads and their use in some police agency 19's that may or may not have had leading issues. The forcing cone did come from the Mod 27 design and are "truncated" at the bottom to fit the K frame. I have experienced no issues with 158 grain loads.

That being said, I believe there is a better chance of having issues with a vintage K frame .357 coupled with a steady diet of modern "hot" .357 loads than there is with shooting your DS out of timing. I do think they were designed for 75% .38 special and 25% .357 available at the time. For full house .357 all the time, including newer light bullets, for me it would be;

1. Your Dan Wesson 15
2. Smith 686
3. Colt Trooper Mk III
4. Ruger GP100, Blackhawk
5. N frame Smith (Registered Magnum, Mod. 27, Highway Patrolman)
6. MAYBE the new Smith 66

Regarding less common options, for sure the Freedom Arms SA, possibly others. I have no idea about Korth or Manhurin over the long haul. None of these will have the combat handling characteristics of the Mod 19 (except the new 66?). I believe that understanding your gun, it's limitations and strengths leads to successful ownership and maximum satisfaction.

Regards and happy hunting.

 

[Hardtarget]

i took a quick look at your "head shot" group. All I can say is a good gun in a good shooter's hands will show what we all want to see...good groups!

Great find...you were...ARE... lucky!

Mark

 

[Steve Cover]

WOW! what a find.

Steve

 

[au_prospector]

As a financial advisor

This is why I explain to all my clients the importance of having a "treasure file" or a listing of the approximate value of collectables and 'toys'. The reason is simple, all too often when a spouse passes, the surviving partner has no idea the value of possessions.

I have seen far too many times...
Coin collections cashed in at the bank at face value
Silver exchanged, again at the bank at face value
Guns sold at give away prices, just to 'get them out of the house'
Even once a client sold his passed wife's embroidery sewing machine for $200 when its true value was $15K. He just didn't know what she had.

Keep a list of your firearms with approximate fair market values noted. Place the list in a "go to" space in case you pass and update the prices every couple years. Your spouse will thank you someday.