S & W M19-2... 3"?

[Aquaholic]

S & W M19-2... 3"? (oops... it's a 13-2, never mind!)

(Topic heading edited due to author needing new reading glasses...)

Kind of a newbie to handguns, and I picked up an old 19-2 that I'm pretty sure has a 3" barrel. From everything I've read in the different forums, it seems this might be rare, if I'm measuring right.

It looks longer than the 2.5" snubbie pics I've seen, and it sure ain't a 4".

Without a photo, here's what I can tell you.

s/n 9D333xx

Measuring from the end of the barrel to the start of the cylinder wheel, exactly 3". (That's gotta be the barrel length, right??)

I'd be interested in anything you experts can tell me about her. What a dream to shoot, not bad to carry IWB. She's been used, though, the checked grips are a little worn, and she shows holster wear on the bluing.

I bought it from a local gun shop about 3 years ago for a HDW, now with permit carry it always. Something tells me that shop was very nice to me, since I had no idea what I wanted, and zero idea about guns at all then. IIRC, I paid $225 for it.

In the last two years I've been to the range with it 1-2 times/month, usually target .38, but at least 12 rounds of .357 (geeeez I love that!).

Sorry for rambling...

 

[Brian Williams]

I would get that sweetheart lettered from Roy Jinks the S&W Historian, S&W made very few 3" 19s, I have seen pictures of 2 adjustable sighted ones and a handful of fixed sight versions, Thie one pictured below was lettered from the factory as a mod 10 and reconstructed into a 3" adjustable sighted 19. The other adjustable sighted one I have seen a picture of belongs to a guy called Smithnut on the S&W forums.
S&W made a number of fixed sight 19s for export to Peru,IIRC, these are basically a model 13 with a barrel shroud over the ejector shaft.

 

[Aquaholic]

Thanks Brian.

This pic you posted looks really close to mine; exception is mine has fixed sights and no shroud over the ejector shaft.

Nice to know a 3" WAS made, and I'm not 'totally' crazy.

Any idea of the birthday of mine based on the serial number? or appr value?

Also, exactly what do I get when I get it "lettered"? Some kind of history/certificate?

I'm going to copy my original post over to S & W Forum also, see if I can come up with more info, maybe from smithnut.

THANK YOU AGAIN!

 

[MarineTech]

Well Aquaholic, as far as age is concerned, the 19-2s were made from 1961 up until 1967, but your serial number does not match up with the serial number series for the Model 19s. Sounds more like a part number. The serial number should be on the butt of the pistol, not under the crane with the cylinder slung out. Most Model 19s have a serial number starting with K. Exceptions to that are special runs or commemorative versions, but your 9D serial number does not match up to any known range. D prefixes WERE used for Models 10,12, 13, 14, and 45, but are normally 6 digits after the D except for the very early guns of 1969.

The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson does mention 3" Model 19s, and goes on to say that they were VERY rare.

Excellent condition, standard barrel length, Model 19s run about $325. If yours is indeed a factory 3" model, the price would go up from there if you find the right collector.

 

[Aquaholic]

Ohhh crap! Just took out my magnifying glass... it is a 13-2. Geez I feel stoooopid! I am sooo sorry to waste you folk's time. Need an emoticon that has a tail between its legs....

Given that, anything special about this baby? I still love her!

 

[Brian Williams]

Then it probably looks like my favorite shooter, but mine is a 13-4 3". Also no need to letter it unless you really have $35 extra laying around. The 13-2 is not uncommon but they are prized for being one of the best carry guns around. prices are running from $250 to $500 for a NIB.
Enjoy it I do mine.

 

[Aquaholic]

Thanks Brian, that's her. Nice grip add-on, BTW. More comfortable for large hands?

 

[Serpico]

Tyler t-grips rock...I have still not found a better way to go than the round butt stock grips and the adapter...doesnt add size but fills the hand nicely...you can get thm in black too....