Opinion: S&W M-19-3

[PinnedAndRecessed]

I'm thinking about buying a Smith and Wesson M-19-3. It's in 100% condition and is $375.

I've owned the M-19-2 which was a fine gun, so I am aware of the limitations of the K frame revolvers. I rarely ever shoot full power loads anyway. And I never shoot full power in my older Smiths. So that's not a problem.

What I am concerned about, however, is the reputation some of the Smiths had when they were manufactured in the late 70's or 80's. (Was it when they were built by Bangor?)

What models were suspect? Was it the 19-3? Or was it later?

Thanx in advance.

 

[FPrice]

I'm thinking about buying a Smith and Wesson M-19-3. It's in 100% condition and is $375.

I'd say buy it, especially if it passes the Jim March test. I have a 4" M19-3 and it is in great condition and shoots well. I do not recall any problems with the -3 series.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

What's the "Jim March" test?

 

[FPrice]

PinnedAndRecessed...

"What's the "Jim March" test?"

See this thread:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430

 

[Sean85746]

Don't Talk About It.....buy It!

I'm thinking about buying a Smith and Wesson M-19-3. It's in 100% condition and is $375.

I've owned the M-19-2 which was a fine gun, so I am aware of the limitations of the K frame revolvers. I rarely ever shoot full power loads anyway. And I never shoot full power in my older Smiths. So that's not a problem.

What I am concerned about, however, is the reputation some of the Smiths had when they were manufactured in the late 70's or 80's. (Was it when they were built by Bangor?)

What models were suspect? Was it the 19-3? Or was it later?

Thanx in advance.

For the record...you can NEVER, EVER go wrong with a K-Frame Smith. When God thought about the pefect wheelgun...he thought about the K-Frame Smith.

I say this as the owner of several Pythons!

 

[Poohgyrr]

I hope to have a 19-3 4"er in great shape in my grubby paws in about 16 days or so.

My checkbook did have to pass on two others (LNIB 4" 19-3 & a nice 2 1/2" 19-5) recently.

I already have ammo waiting.....

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

I hope to have a 19-3 4"er in great shape in my grubby paws in about 16 days or so.

My checkbook did have to pass on two others (LNIB 4" 19-3 & a nice 2 1/2" 19-5) recently.

I already have ammo waiting.....

What else did you pass up? Any pinned and recessed Smiths? I'm particularly interested in M-27 with 3.5 inch barrel; M-66 with 2.5 inch barrel.
98% or better.

 

[FPrice]

I hope to have a 19-3 4"er in great shape in my grubby paws in about 16 days or so.

My checkbook did have to pass on two others (LNIB 4" 19-3 & a nice 2 1/2" 19-5) recently.

You can never be too rich, too thin, or have too many S&W Model 19's.

 

[RON in PA]

Don't be concerned with guns of that era, be much more concerned with the individual gun. I have many from that time frame and they are just fine. This has been brought up several times here and on the Smith & Wesson Forum and the consensus of the S&W knowledgable is that guns from any era can be bad or good, each one is case unto itself. I have yet to see a K frame that was in good or better condition that wasn't a good shooter.

 

[stans]

I have a four inch model 19-3. I am sure mine was a thing of beauty when it was new, but it rode in a law enforcement officer's holster for a very long time and was not given proper care. Mine has scratches, spots of surface rust, blueing worn off the muzzle and all sharp edges and the back strap is deeply pitted, but the interior is in great shape and it shoots like a dream. Maybe one day I will have this gun refinished.

 

[Coronach]

You can never be too rich, too thin, or have too many S&W Model 19's.

Ever seen Laura Flynn Boyle?

One can be too thin. The rest of the thesis, however, seems to be true.

Mike

 

[thatguy]

I think $375 is maybe getting near the high side but if the gun really is that pristine and you like then buy it. Most of the problems with both Colt and S&W in regards to quality control were with the fit and finish, not so much the function so if it looks nice it's probably OK. A bad one can usually be spotted right off.

 

[Ala Dan]

A little high for my neck of the old woods, but a PRISTINE S&W model
19-3 could be worth $375.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member