friscolatchi
Member
I called them when I first purchased the gun, about 4 years ago, after some schooling about the forcing cone from RC Model and Old Fuff.
Do I sell a 19-4 for a new model 66?
- Thread starter friscolatchi
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Taurus 617 CCW
Member
I have an early model 66-1. I will not sell it for anything. I would recommend holding on to your model 19 because they don't make them like that anymore. You can always save up for another .357. I would get a 686 or Ruger GP100. The GP100's turn out quite nice after a proper trigger job! Just don't sell the 19!
friscolatchi
Member
I like your quote, "If it's broke don't fix it". Well, the model 19's not broke and I'm not going to change. Thanks for the advice.
SlayerOfBunnies
Member
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Meh. I sold a 66-3 to buy a GP100 Match Champ for more or less the same reasons you have and never looked back. That old 66 was a cool gun, looked great and shot better but I shoot the GP100 ... a LOT. If owning both isn't an option, I'd sell the one you don't shoot much in favor of one you would.
Red Wind
Member
Not just no ... heck no! How could you get rid of one of these:
For one of the ugly new 66s? Not even gonna mention "The Lock" ... (or MIM) ... Just pick up a used 686 if you feel the need for a durable, reliable stainless S&W in .357.
I agree with this logic. Just looking at that beauty in the pic above brings me great sorrow. I had a chance back in '92 to get one for a song and passed.
Hold on to it tight and don't let go!
flyingtiger85
Member
Get the model-66 and don't look back,even if you need to sell the 19!Another plus is better rust protection and holster wear.
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Capt. Ct.
Member
I regret selling my model 19. Think hard about it.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Wise decision to keep the model 19.
22-rimfire
Member
I have a 6" Model 19 that I never shoot in the box. It is probably unfired. What are they running price wise these days?
bannockburn
Member
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friscolatchi
I'm in complete agreement with all those who say keep your Model 19 and look for another .357. Can always find a decent used Model 28, Ruger GP100, or Ruger Blackhawk; any of which would be well suited for shooting heavier loads for hunting.
And you did really well with the 22/32 Kit Gun. Found a Model 34 LNIB and bought it for my wife. Perfect gun for her to start out with.
I'm in complete agreement with all those who say keep your Model 19 and look for another .357. Can always find a decent used Model 28, Ruger GP100, or Ruger Blackhawk; any of which would be well suited for shooting heavier loads for hunting.
And you did really well with the 22/32 Kit Gun. Found a Model 34 LNIB and bought it for my wife. Perfect gun for her to start out with.
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22-rimfire
Member
Thanks Red Wind. I bought it on a whim a few years ago. Never shot it. Nice gun, but I have enough other nice guns.
Red Wind
Member
You're welcome! I still regret not buying one in 1992. But, just have to be thankful for all the right moves and not grouse over the wrong ones!
RealGun
Member
My 19-4 has tight throats, and I would rather not mess with reaming a collector grade gun. As a result, it is a poor candidate for lead bullets. I tried .358 and .357 hard cast with no joy. The gun is also not heavy enough to be at all fun to shoot with full power loads. I tailor rounds for it.
Your mention of opting for a new 66 is confusing, because that is a 38 Special with fixed sights, no? [corrected that 66 is a 357 Mag]
Within my collection, if I was going to hunt with a .357 Mag and heavy loads using hard lead, it would be with my 5" Ruger GP100, which bears the appropriate type of rifling and shoots well with lead. All my hunting or SD loads for the Smiths use jacketed bullets, 95% XTPs.
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
No... The M66 is a stainless .357 Magnum with adjustable sights. The M65 is also a .357 Magnum and has fixed sights. The stainless .38 Special with fixed sights us the M64 and the M67 had adjustable sights.
The M64 = M10 in stainless.
The M65 = M13 in stainless.
The M66 = M19 in stainless.
The M67 = M15 in stainless.
Blacksmoke
Member
This may not by helpful for your situation but, NEVER sell a gun unless you truly need the money. The loss will be regretted.
This is something I learned from bitter experience.
This is something I learned from bitter experience.
RealGun
Member
Yep. Should have looked it up to refresh my memory. Thanks.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Hey, we help each other out here, not a big deal lol.
Good to see you, it's been a while.
Good to see you, it's been a while.
RealGun
Member
However, the model 19 is not well suited for hunting loads, heavy bullets, even commercial SD, for which you need more mass like a L or N frame model.
While I am kind of late to the party here, I would like to add to the chorus abut keeping the M19. However, I would also add that a heavier revolver would probably be better suited to hunting. Many years ago I had a 6" M28 that I picked up in well used condition. It was my trail gun and hunting companion for several years until I sold it to fund a M29. I still have that M29, but boy oh boy do I wish I had that M28 back. The N frame was stout enough to handle any load I put through it and even though it was heavy, it never bothered me to pack it around all day.
If I was looking for a hunting revolver today, I would buy a used 686. Sorry Ruger guys, but I have owned many Rugers both single and double action and I just can't warm up to them.
I picked up a 6" 66-2 for $340 a couple of years ago and I think it is a dandy gun for for what it is, a medium duty camp gun/hunting backup. If you don't hammer the snot out of one, a K frame will last your lifetime. I also have a NIB 19-2 and a 66 no dash, but they are safe queens at this point.
If I was looking for a hunting revolver today, I would buy a used 686. Sorry Ruger guys, but I have owned many Rugers both single and double action and I just can't warm up to them.
I picked up a 6" 66-2 for $340 a couple of years ago and I think it is a dandy gun for for what it is, a medium duty camp gun/hunting backup. If you don't hammer the snot out of one, a K frame will last your lifetime. I also have a NIB 19-2 and a 66 no dash, but they are safe queens at this point.
cal44mag
Member
The new 66 sounds like a nice gun to have.
But the only thing that would get me to part with my 19-4 would be major financial hardship -- and then I wouldn't spend the money from selling the 19-4 for another gun.
But the only thing that would get me to part with my 19-4 would be major financial hardship -- and then I wouldn't spend the money from selling the 19-4 for another gun.
Sunray
Member
A 19 and a 66 are the same thing in different steels. Had a 4" 19 for years that I never could get to fit my hand right. Slightly harder innards makes a trigger job a bit better, but they're the same thing.
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