First revolver: S&W 19-2

[CajunBass]

I have a soft spot for the Model 19 COMBAT MAGNUM. When I was a young fellow, still in high school, the first issue of "Guns and Ammo" magazine I ever saw had a picture of one on the cover. THAT was what a handgun was supposed to look like. A few years later, I got one, a 4" barrel, blue one, for my very first handgun. Man I loved that gun. I shot thousands of rounds of 38 waductters through it. I'd load them up 50-100 at a time using a little Lee Loader kit. I don't know how many boxes of 500 double ended wadcutters I went through, but it was a bunch. A can of Bullseye or Unique lasts a long time.

I eventually traded that gun off. I wish I hadn't, but that's water under the bridge. Not long ago I picked up another one. I don't shoot magnums in it. I know it will, but I figure 38's will punch holes in paper just fine.

The Lee Loader is long gone. I just ordered a set of Lee dies for my Lee hand press. I think I'll have to find some 38 wadcutters somewhere. Do they still make Bullseye?

 

[BCRider]

Ruger, like you I was shocked when I shot my first 19. In my case doubly so since I had not shot ANY revolver to that time but I had put around 1200 rounds of 9mm downrange with a variety of pistols thanks to being a member at the local Rent-A-Gun range. So you can imagine how shocked and shagrined I was when I shot two noticably tighter groups with the revolver than I'd ever managed with any of the semis. That plus the fact that I really enjoyed the totally different feel to shooting with the revolver certainly sealed my fate. I've got 3 S&W hand ejector models now along with a couple of C&B Uberti Remingtons that I use in CAS events. If for some unknowable reason I had to give up all my collection but for one I'm not sure if it would be the last revolver or the last semi that I'd keep.

 

[madcratebuilder]

ROA, be very careful, these S&W revolvers can be more additive than cap and ball. First you collect by model number, then barrel length, when you have the same gun in blue, stainless and nickle, you well have a good collection going.

 

[Virginian]

Congratulations on getting one of the guns that made a lot of people Smith fans. Back then they did not have a team trying to see what parts could be made out of cheaper metals or where they could reduce hand fitting to save $2.98. Now you know why they call them the good old days.
And it isn't just S&W trying to squeeze blood out of a rock, either.