Smith m19-3

[helpless]

I have a safe and my girlfriends dad has a new daughter who is walking around the house and going through everything, so he has recently put me in charge of his Model 19-3 Smith and Wesson, square butt with 4 inch barrel. I was told that I can shoot it, carry it and use it any way I need as long I take care of it and keep it clean. Gotta loved that deal. He bought it from a retired state trooper many many years ago. It is a pretty sweet piece and I am aware of some of the basics. However he refers to it as a highway patrolman. I know they made one that had highway patrolman stamped on the barrel but not the 19. Did this come later after the revolver became the standard for patrolman? or was the "Highway Patrolman" an entirety different firearm? If it is close to the same can anyone tell me the differences?

This is a pretty sweet revolver and it feels great in my hand. The trigger is very very smooth and it passes all the "wheelgun checks" from the sticky at the top of this forum.

Anyone have some details on the 19-3? better/worse than the "Patrolman"? I cleaned it up because it hadnt been shot in 15 years and the thing is mint! The blue on it is amazing.

Thanks for your input.
-chris

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. The Highway Patrolman or Model 28 is an N-frame 357 Magnum revolver that was available and was the issue revolver for some agencies such as the Texas Department of Public Safety for many years. The Model 19 Combat Magnum is a K-frame 357, also available in a 4" bbl. The N-frame is larger than the K-frame, which is sometimes called S&W's "medium" frame.


Here is a Model 28 with S&W target grips on it. These guns were a matte blue but some were less matte than others, it seems.


Here is a 4" Model 19, also with target stocks. It has the usual bright blue finish.

Best.

 

[1 LT MPC]

The model 19 and 66 are Combat Magnums. I think the model 28 was called Highway Patrolman. My 19 is my favorite revolver.

Oops, Camp beat me to it.

 

[helpless]

Oh okay, so the Patrolman was an N frame, I missed that. Thanks for filling me in. The 19 you posted looks just like this one. I will get some pics up soon enough.

 

[trader vic]

Highway Patrolman

Stephen A Camp gave you the perfect explaination of the 2 revolvers. I might add that the Model 27 was the same as the 28 except that it had the high gloss finish. I am a Model 19 fan but I also have a model 27 with a 4" barrel, both are enjoyable handguns. NRA PATRON LIFE MEMBER

 

[dispatch]

Okay helpless- you have one of the best revolvers made. The Model 19 is a K Frame, pinned and recessed. It is a great shooter and very durable. The S&W original blue (which you probably have) is beautiful. Shoot it and take care of it-they only go up in value.

 

[Stoney]

The 19 is my favorite Smith . A true classic,this one is almost to pretty to shoot, almost.

 

[Croyance]

Hard to say which is better because of the different frame sizes, but the balance and feel of a 4" barreld K-frame is wonderful.
Some info.

 

[Blue .45]

Wow! most dads hate their daughter's boyfriend. Just imagine what he'll do for ya if you actually marry the girl.

Seriously. I had a beautiful M19-4 just like the one pictured above. I bought it off my cousin about eighteen years ago for $150. A little over a year ago, after my niece bought her new house, I ended up giving her the gun. I'm still trying not to regret it, but threads like this always make it tough. The truth is, I hardly ever shot it anymore and I new she was familiar with It and could shoot it well, so I just gave it to her. Anyway, I just wanted to say, it's a great revolver and if dad offers to sell it to you, don't even think, just buy it!

 

[Highway_Star]

FYI....
"Handloader" magazine has an excellent article on the model 19 Smith in the latest issue.

 

[helpless]

Man I love these in a round but 2".

I read a lot about them not being okay for healthy loads of 357 mag. Any truth to this? I love the look of the snubby posted above. Is there a better option for the price, maybe something I can feed full mag loads to with no worries? Or is this platform okay for this? I may just look for one for myself.

 

[absolute0]

Smith & Wesson model 19?

.357 perfection for us regular folks!

 

[Iggy]

helpless

Check the link Croyance provided in post number 8

 

[Ala Dan]

Both, the K frame S&W model 19 and the N frame model 28 are very nice
weapons; and would fit nicely into any S&W collection. Enjoy~!