S&W 619 questions

[SDM]

What can you folks tell me about this gun? I did a search but I didn’t find too much recent information. Looks like it was introduced in late ‘04 or early ’05, and has now been discontinued, does this sound right? What should they sell for new? Used? I’d appreciate any information you can pass along. Thanks folks.

 

[ChristopherG]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...d=10001&productId=14803&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

Doesn't seem likely to be discontinued; do you have an inside line on that? It's an L-frame 357 partial-lugged fixed-sighted replacement for the model 65 (which was a K-frame). A little heavier and 7 shots instead of 6. Great holster gun, though many would say an L-frame is a bit much for concealment--it's certainly not aimed at the CCW niche.

I'd be surprised to see many used on the market this early; here's a new one on gunbroker:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=71698666

 

[SDM]

I don't know that they've been discontinued but it's not in the 2007 catalog.
The reason I ask is my dad is considering one and asked me what I knew about, which is little. The price he was quoted for a new one was $470, sound reasonable?

 

[rich642z]

I talked to a rep in S&W customer service and he said that the sales were not enough to keep the m619 in production. Allthough,S&W do have some in stock so you will have to call Smith and tell them what distributor you want the gun sent to. Smith says that the 620 and 686+ are the best selling revolvers along with the j frames today. Thanks,Rich Z,Omaha,Ne.

 

[ChristopherG]

That's interesting; I suppose the fixed sight models were primarily intended for low-bid large-scale contracts with PD's and such at one point; obviously not a lot of those contracts to be had any more. I would certainly rather have the adjustable sights on a gun this size, myself, so I'd get the 620 for sure.

 

[Stainz]

The 620 crept up in price, too... it now is $751 ($703 in '06 - $669 in '05) vs the 4" 686+ @ $790 ($752 in '06 - $716 in '05 - $692 in '04). My pusher actually has them at $589 each... but the 620 was $489 a year or so ago. I've heard that S&W has had another increase effective 5-1-07. They've already gone up 12+% for the 620 and 10+% for the 686+ in two years - 6%/yr for the 620; 5%/yr for the 686+. Probably keeping up with inflation.

One caveat re the 619 - unlike the 65's half-lugged barrel, the 619's is two-piece. The 619/620 come with the usual L-frame .357M open back Hogue monogrips, not the backstrap enclosing Uncle Mike's Combats, squared or rounded, like the 65/66 - although they all are interchangeable.

Stainz

 

[JNewell]

I think the 65 was the last fixed sight revolver larger than a J frame to do well. The 581/681 didn't do terribly well, AFAIK. No surprise on the 619.

The 619/620s I've handled have been surprisingly good - very tight and smooth, great triggers. If "new" doesn't bother you, they look like fine revolvers.

 

[P. Plainsman]

I like fixed sights a lot, but "integral" fixed sights (i.e., front sight is just a protrusion of the frame) on stainless guns like the 619 are not so good. Dark front sight gives a better picture in most cases.

I like S&W's adjustable sight for target/sporting revolvers but less so for defensive use. Kinda fragile. Would probably replace it with a Bowen unit if I were to buy a 620. Also, S&W adjustables never seem to come out of the box anywhere close to properly sighted, so that's a bit of extra labor.

The stainless Ruger GP100 3" has fixed sights with a black front sight blade -- it's a much better sight picture than comparable fixed S&Ws. It seems to sell fine.