S&W M-19 vs. M-14

[kyoung05]

Okay, so I posted a thread asking about the M&P and M-14 about a week ago, and got some varied responses. So, I go to a different gunshop today and see that they have a 6" 19-4 in fairly good condition. There is some blueing wear on the frame above the wood target grips, but nothing really major. It is pinned and recessed, has a near-perfect bore, and patrich sights. It is on consignment for $450, about the same price as the M14 I had mentioned earlier. So my question is this. Which is the better gun?

I already have a 6" GP-100 that I can use to shoot .357's out of, and I guess would work well for .38spls as well. However, I do want a new gun (and by new, I mean an OLD S&W ), and will probably use it to shoot 148gr WC's since that is what I'm starting to load. Will one gun be better for that over the other? If they are similiar enough in performance/accuracy, I'll probably get the 19 since it has the capability of shooting .357's, and k-frame .357's have been discontinued. Is the pre-M14 more rare than a M19? Is one more valuable than the other? They are basically same-sized guns using the same sight setup. Both are in equally good condition. Any opinions???

There is also that old M&P 6" with half-moon sights for $200 less than either of the ones I mentioned earlier, but just "playing" around with the half-moon sights, it seems much harder to get a decent sight-picture. I don't know guys, what do you think?

 

[dogngun]

I think the model 19 is one of the best .357 revolvers ever made ( I happen to own one), but I think the one you describe is pretty expensive. I would buy it at about $350 unless it was absoultely 100%. THe older 6" model 10 is probably too old ( pre 1960 ?) for +P .38 special ammo, so I'd consider it a collector's piece/ plinker rather than a shooter or carry piece. The half round front sight is much more difficult to use; find a newer S&W and note the difference. THe Model 14 is a target revolver, and there were fewer of them made. THey were pretty expensive, had a lot of hand fitting, were very accurate. They were for light loads of .38 special. The Mod 19 was very similar, but made for the .357 mag for duty use. More rugged, great for mid lange magnum loads and any level of .38 spl. I have carried one model 19 or another ( 2 1/2 and 4") for many years, and think they are the best. My current one is 1979, and may go on forever.

Mark

 

[stans]

If I were going to shoot nothing but 38 Special 148 grain HBWC target ammo I would go for the model 14. It is slightly (very slightly) lighter in weight than the model 19 and is more likely, though not guaranteed, to hold an accuracy advantage over the 19 with that particular load. If I wanted a dual purpose gun, and most of mine are, I would go for the model 19.

 

[JoeHatley]

Pretty much the same gun.

19-4


14-4


Not really any significant differences in performance or price range, but $450 is a bit on they high side for either.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[HankB]

<echo>$450 is high for a used M-19.</echo>

In good shape, a used M-19 should go for $325 - $375 . . . the latter only if it includes box and papers.

A used M-14 should go for $50 - $100 less.

 

[kyoung05]

Yea, but I live in CA, and unless people who owned these S&W's before the "list" went into effect are willing to sell them via PPT or on consignment, you cannot buy one. You cannot have one shipped in from out of state (unless it is over 50yrs old and qualifies as a C&R), so they are pretty scarce. Therefore, I think we are charged a premium for these guns since the sellers know what they have, and there really isn't anywhere else to buy them.

 

[jamz]

I really like my M19. Mine had a custom trigger job, bobbed hammer and hogue grips and sold (consignment) for $300.

Sweetest shooter I have. I can't recall exactly, but I think here in MA we have a similar "list"- I just cna't recall if all old S&Ws are on it or now.


-James

 

[Tacoma]

I, like Joe H have a"pair" of 6" 14's and 19's. Both are great guns IMHO. I also concure that $450 is too much for either. A M 19 or 14 in Excellent condition shouldn't cost you more than $350 or so (without box or papers.). The 14 should have more working room in the price since many buyers think the 38 special is a has been and would pay more for a mag.

 

[simonp]

Well its possible that I may be slightly biased as I have a new 14-3 for sale down below and I am stuck in California right now. But owning both guns Id say for target shooting the M14 is a better gun. As for pricing, $450 is about right for the PRK pricing if you are lucky enough to find an early M14 or M19 very few hit the shelf and when they do they don't last more than a day or too if they are P&R.

 

[Majic]

In my opinion the M14 is the target gun. It has proven itself on many ranges. The M19 has always been a combat gun and competed in those games.
Some places actually have the .38sp revolvers priced higher than the .357mag models. With the .357 guns being so plentiful they tend to drive their own prices down.

 

[kyoung05]

Well, I am going to sell my Glock 17 to finance this new purchase, and the deal goes through next Tuesday. (On a side note, trading in black plastic for blued metal and wood makes things seem right with the world, and I'm only 23! ) Anyways, I will check them each out again and pick out which "feels" better to me. I don't think this gun is going to be purely a target gun, as I don't ever plan on competing, just going to the indoor and outdoor ranges for informal target shooting. The 19 does have more flexibility I suppose in that it can shoot magnums, but on the other hand I don't want to wear it out any faster than I have to, and I have a GP-100 to shoot magnums through anyways. I don't know. They are both consignment guns so I don't think I'll be able to haggle down the price any. It seems like you guys are saying on average, I should expect to pay more for the 19 than the 14? Are 19's easier to find than 14's? I may just get the M14 now, and look for a 4" 19 later (to me, a 4" .357 would fill the niche nicely), but what if I never find another 19 in this state, and kick myself over it later? I don't know. Hopefully my mind will be made up by next week.

Oh, to add to the dilemma, the M19 seems tighter, almost unfired. Bore is perfect, NO flame cutting at all on the topstrap, but it does have some wear on the finish right above the grips. The grips themselves are in pretty good shape, just some minor chips/scratchs at the bottom. The M14 from what I saw had no real wear on the finish, but I didn't get to check the bore. How hard are the factory stocks to find, and how much are they? The M14 I think is an older one, pre-M14 name. Does this add any appreciable value to it? Thanks all.