What to do with my old S&W 19-3

[TEDDY]

S&w 19

4" blue barrel fits 19.$111.also many k frame barrels.$30+-fix it and then learn how to care for guns.forget about the 357 and heavy cal.a target wadcutter will work great.I have a mod 10HB with bomar rib as a target gun.
had it since 60s.
next time stop shooting if you hear something odd or you may blow your head off.:banghead:

 

[Old Fuff]

We have sort of an apples vs oranges sort of thing here. In the beginning it was a matter of repairing certain damage and returning the revolver to it’s original condition, but then…

One guy said to just fix the damage and shoot the heck out of it. So I'll put him as 1 vote for the Performance center Combat revolver package, master revolver action package and a bead blast satin blue finish. Because I would shoot the heck out of that! $500-$700 is in the budget.

Now we’re into Performance Center custom work and refinishing. Is it worth it? I would say it depends on what you want, but that $500 to $700 will result in something that is a far cry from an over-the-counter revolver. If the basic revolver is sound (something S&W will have to decide) there is no reason it shouldn’t become the basis for a custom gun, but if the owner does go that way for whatever reason, you can’t compare it to what is was, vs. what it has become.

 

[W.E.G.]

I would be VERY surprised if Smith and Wesson will repair this gun at no charge.

Fortunately, it is a common model. So, there is a good chance they have whatever parts are needed. Sounds like a very straightforward repair.

For future reference, when you want to get the side plate off a revolver, you first need to use the CORRECT screwdriver to remove the sideplate screws. Then, with the screws removed, you use a soft wood club to smack the grip frame until the shock and vibration cause the sideplate to FALL off. Never pry the side plate.

 

[dogrunner]

That gun doesn't look at all bad from your photo's. Forcing cone looks ok and if the crane or ejector assembly is a little off certainly S&W can make it right. Most certainly you'll get a QUALITY repair job from them.....a lot of so called 'smith's are another story altogether.

As an aside, that gun has not seen nearly the round count my model 19 (no series no.) has. I carried that gun way over twenty years as a leo till the auto crossover and I'd conservatively estimate way, way over 50m....Yeah, it's loose, the finish has honest carry wear and it has both side and end play with the cylinder. Both the front and rear sights are worn round!!!....

Mine's nickle and was used when I bought it (in the mid 60's), I sent it to the factory and had it re-done TH/TT/WO rear/red insert front with a bit of minor engraving and a custom set of grips....It'll still cut x's all day long and I would not hesitate to trust my life to it again.....That action only gets smoother with use!

Never used the plus p 125s........didn't like the stuff and opted for the old 3/4 jacketed 158 HPs for most of my carry.........As is the case with every K frame I've ever handled tho, they all do a LOT better with at best a plus p variation of the special round....at least for quick recovery and maximum accuracy.

If that gun was mine I would not hesitate to send it back to Smith.

And by the way, I just used that gun to qualify for the revolver portion of my retired LEOSA certification.............nostalgic I guess!

 

[18DAI]

As dogrunner said, your model 19 does not look bad at all.

I would clean it, and take it to a competent local gunsmith for a check up. If indeed the crane is bent, it can be repaired.

I would NOT shoot anymore 125 grain 357's in a model 19-3. Not that the 19 is a weak gun, only because doing so is like using a surgeons scalpel to slice bologna. If you want to shoot hot 357, get an L-frame, or one of those used lock equipped revolvers. They can be found easily, for cheap.

Stick with 158 grain 357's, and shoot as many as you can stand, and afford. Good luck! TJ

 

[ironlung]

Man, some of you can be pretty harsh. I have learned the error of my mistreating ways. The rest of my collection is in like new condition from learning the hard way on this old revolver. Cut me some slack


At least I'm trying to make it right.



There is no doubt it is going back to Smith & Wesson for the work. It's all packed up ready to go to UPS.

My purpouse of this thread was to get the opinion of the more experienced. If I should take this repair as a time to restore to original or get the "trick" work done.

I'm not looking to get my money back on the invesment. I have no intention of ever parting with the revolver. However I don't want my effort to be misguided. I would like the added value to be correct. I don't know if I'm explaining this well.

My though with the performance center work is I could have something unique. Shooting it in the bullseye competition at the local range.

Would I be safe limiting the max loads to 1000-1100 fps with 158 grain bullet once the repairs are done? Perhaps 38 special +p only.

Thanks,
Ironlung

 

[dogrunner]

Ironlung: I've got two loads I shoot in mine. Both use the 168 gr Lyman 358429 swc cast hard from straight wheelweights. One is 7.5 of unique, the other 12.5 of 2400. Don't recall the chrono data on the unique load but the 2400 averages right around 1200 and recoil is manageable. My sense of it is that the 2400 load is the hotter one. Primers are standard small pistol and the bullet is lubed with Javelina brand alox and sized to .357...


Funny aside about that bullet is that I had a partner that shot a fleeing felony suspect with one of my loads, struck the guy in his foot when he jumped over a fence. The guy was a super bad attitude type and when we shipped him to the ER he was cussing and trying to fight everyone......one particularily gruff old ER nurse was trying to treat his wound by flushing it with a saline solution (straight pass thru) and couldn't get it wash thru....he cussed her more and more loudly till she inserted the flush tube into the wound channel and REALLY laid on it....it broke free like a dam bustin' and a really neat leather plug shot out the other side of his foot.........he passed out, she picked up the plug trying to figure out what it was (we told her and 'took it as evidence'). Seems my buddy had shot up all his issue stuff and just stoked his piece with my handloads against departmental policy......But, hey, it worked!


By the way, give us a post and picture when you get it back!!