Not great. Although a used gun, it was in exceptional condition. It has been said of the k frame. So you get some advantage, but not much. Most of . The .357 definitely benefits from room to run, even more so in a lever gun. I had an old Rossi .38 that did something similar. S&Ws revolver line has been cheapened up so much they are only a shadow My ugly Glocks sit at my bedside. K-frame Smiths are the best. EVERYONE PLEASE FORGIVE MY TYPING AS I AM ON VACATION ON CRUISE, TOO MANY UMBRELLA DRINKS! Mostly Glocks. It is also a sleek, good looking pistol with great lines and a very nice finish. I can say for certain that with that round count and that bad of a malfunction I would most definitely be sending that one back! GDHP and Agulias 158 gr. Great shooter i carried one as a officer and i still have it , it feels natural in your hand i love the k frame 19. loads are not +p but just standard full pressure loads which every revolver is proofed to 130%. This allows S&W to place the barrel shroud over an index tab on the front of the frame and then insert and thread the barrel tube to the frame and to the shroud at the muzzle end, bringing the shroud against the frame as it torques down rather than the traditional threading and crush fitting of the old-style one-piece barrel that requires forcefully tightening to proper index. I keep telling you folks that people are willing to pay for quality. This revolver is chambered in .357 Magnum and is constructed from stainless steel for superior durability. Caliber: 357 Magnum, .38 Special; Capacity: 6 There seems to be a problem serving the request at this time. Ill spend the extra money to buy an older, truly Classic model from now on. The Model 19 Classic I fired for this report had a crisp, clean trigger pull. In 1963, a 6 model was introduced, and, in 1966, a 2 barrel, round butt model was introduced. View. Yet still they have less that great SA triggers. Just didnt fit my hand. Used that way, its highly unlikely the gun would experience any significant erosion or cracking. Side Refine Panel. BUT! You have entered an incorrect email address! First pistol I bought in 1965 when I started on the police department. The 2.5-inch-barreled guns were offered with only the round butt, whereas the 4.0-inch-barreled guns and the 6.0-inch-barreled guns were offered with square butts. The DA will tell the jury that you are a careless gun owner and not to be believed in your self-defensive testimony. Maybe it was different where you grew up. Side Refine Panel. Perfect swords. The .357 still has an edge but not by much. If dirt gets in there, who knows if the gun will fire. Anything and everything to do with Revolvers. There are even some exceptions where collectors have paid over $2000 for this revolver. I think this is rational thinking since I will very likely never need the 7th through 21st shot of my current EDC but I will certainly enjoy the fuzzy warmth of hand fitted steel and ivory (I bought some a few years back) every day when I get the new gun. Right. They were traded in on the Sig Sauer 225 in .45 cal. Since then even though 10s of 1000s of revolvers safely ate these with boring regularity once lawyers starting dictating policy and buisness cartidge performance went down not all at once but a bit yr after yr and to this day is still happening. I also heard that the 125gr 357 Magnum is the best weight for accuracy and ballistics. Since the TTAG editors cut my last comment, Ill be nicer this time. Exclusive: Made in America! fire. Im going to blame this on clearing six inches worth of barrel. Be patient and look for a nice example of both, and hang onto them. Trigger feels wonderful. I even had a Class A engraved Model 19 with a 6.0-inch barrel during the late 1980s, but I decided I didnt need any of my barbeque guns and traded off all my engraved S&Ws, Brownings, Remingtons, and Rugers. Length: 8 The only reliable gun safety is between the shooters ears. Thanks RobC, I actually have one available at the shop, but ultimately, I find little use in them. He held a record for speed shooting with a double-action revolver that stood for decades. eBay; smith wesson model 19; smith wesson model 19. You have some tough standards!:-). And give us the shining gems of the earlier days. Out of 50 shots pistol failed about 15 times. It ought to have a 4.0-inch barrel, a lot heavier than the ones we got now. Regardless what I shoot, the best I can do is to stay inside the 5 bullseye of a B-16 target at 25 yards. All three are built on the medium-sized K-Frame that . The first item that all the shooters noticed is how short the rear sight blade is, necessitating a shallow the rear sight notch. Stainless steel contains chromium, which resists the leeching, and this makes stainless a better gun steel, in my opinion. And it certainly outclasses any of the common modern service pistols in fit and finish. Find us on Hickok45 Twitter and Facebook, as well as "therealHickok45" on Instagram. Open the cylinder and check to see if the extractor rod has come slightly unscrewed? In 1970 stainless steel was offered, and in that form it was called the Model 66. However, there are differences. It does everything I required of it when I bought it but I didnt include pleasure to hold and own in the requirements. Failure to Fire: Many users of Smith & Wesson 22A have an issue with light primer strikes or failure to fire. The Smith & Wesson 617 revolver has an issue with failure to fire about three or four times per cylinder on average (out of ten rounds). I put 270 rounds of commercial .357 Magnum through the gun over four days of shooting. Ruger Lcp . He obviously doesnt realize that the cylinder comes to a complete stop when the hammer is falling and stays that way until the noise happens and the bullet is long gone. Grip: factory walnut (others available) In 1955 the .357 Magnum version was first offered. so check Salt N Pepa Jacket which is a most selling outfit in our store, Shop now and get amazing discounts and offers. Theyre all still with me all these decades later, still flawless, still accurate, still the same superb double action trigger pull. The normal ones are so much more elegant and attractive. As for the .357 Magnum itself, the Model 19 is, in my mind, outclassed by the Model 66, its stainless steel twin. Using a wide variety of ammunition, none of my five-shot groups shot from a sandbag were larger than two inches at 25 yards. The six-inch K-framed 19 weighs six ounces less. Ill have to remember that for a detestable orifice, including the stupid locks. Finish:factory blued steel Heres what he told Hellstrom, in his own words: To begin with, it ought to be a .357 Magnum. The new Model 19 is also offered in a stainless steel version outside the Classic line. No. It features a 4-inch barrel, adjustable sights, and a smooth trigger pull for maximum accuracy. The K-frame S&W carries surprisingly well in a quality, high ride holster. The new pistol featured an improved K frame that was stronger and had a three-screw side plate. The Smith & Wesson R8 is everything the iconic Model 19 was and even more. But as long as S&W insist on putting a frame saftey on them, theyve lost my business. A high quality .357 Magnum revolver with a 5-inch barrel (starts daydreaming about it). Model 19 PERFORMANCE CENTER Model 19 Carry Comp Not Sure Where to Start? Despite plenty of time on the range and a lotof time dry firing, I still cant shoot this gun fast. Yep, the model 19 is a beautiful piece but I wont buy a revolver with a built-in lock. This was all I had in over 100 combat missions in Nam. The K-Frame Model 19 is iconic, and Im pleased that its back in production. Theres no doubt about it, the S&W K-Frame is legendary. The same energy that started that big cylinder moving, continues to make it move. You can also buy lighter rebound springs for the S&W. However, happened to watch a hickock45 review where he mentioned, it was spitting on him (cylinder gap) when he tested it. The reason I switched to the S&W revolver is accuracy. If you used TIG to add material to the area, the length of the top strap will tend to shrink which will throw your cylinder out of alignment with the breech (or, actually, the breech will no longer be coaxial with the bore of the cylinder). $26.00. My first one we carried it with the old FBI load of Winchester 158 gr. Smith & Wesson Model 69, 4.25" Barrel, 44 Magnum . 244.99 . Smith & Wesson Model 686 .357 Magnum/.38 S&W Special +P Revolver $ 919 99 919 dollars 99 cents. View attachment 544301 View attachment 544302 You put a bullet in it and it goes bang. Walther's new Performance Duty Pistol is ready for both concealed carry and conventional service situations. This is one place where this revolver absolutely shines. (Unfortunately, I didnt have any speed loaders.) It was a beautiful gun. He was about to appear on a television show called You Asked for It, during which he would perform a fast-drawing act he was famous for. Veteran, army medic, proud Texas son. It sounds like a timing issue, but I'm not that experienced at gunsmithing, mostly just hobby tinkering. But the Model 19 Classic was up to the challenge. The frame is real important. Most new gun owners will think this Classic is the best looking 357 magnum revolver. Like many revolvers of the era, the Model 25 can load six rounds of .45 Colt. Next post: Exclusive: Made in America! Joseph Von Benedikt is with Rafe Nielsen of Browning to take a look at a new X-Bolt series rifle. The only candidates to replace my 19 are heavier framed revolvers in the same caliber from the S&W Performance Center. Ah, I get where youre coming from. Brian Pearce's article in the December 2014 issue of Handloader Magazine, (issue 293), was quite favorable to the new "L-frame" S&W model 69. But when you despise the Hillary Hole that makes it a lot easier to consider a Kimber instead. Using the Applied Ballistics Shooter program I have both rounds hitting within a 10th of an inch of each other at 25 yards. The noise will come from the cylinder. Let me start by saying, the new Classic model, while looking to the original 19, is a different pistol from yesteryear. My best draw and fire of six shots into the same circle at 15 yards was 4.17 seconds. The revolver dons a highly polished, blued finish and traditional thumbpiece . When I came home from VietNam and became a cop, I was urged to get an S&W Model 19 but being young and therefore all knowing I bought a Colt Trooper. They often have nice, polished metal with smooth lines that are visually and even tactilely appealing. In my eyes, it's one of the sexiest revolvers ever made. I DO realize theres some cost savings, but is it really worth it? I guess that depends if you just shoot a few hundred rounds per week, or you go for the gusto with 5000 rounds per month! The Smith & Wesson Model 19 "Combat Magnum" was one of the most beloved handguns ever made. Thanks for the great review JWT! And when the duty gun classes arrived, because some departments issued 4 Model 19s, a 4 Model 19 joined the fray. And as youve said before, the .357 has a bit more powder capacity than the 10mm. Smith & Wesson Model 19 Classic (the new re-issue): It looks cool with the classic new design and the blued finish. The 19 is a great serious-looking revolver. If it functions OK unloaded, the problem is most likely powder residue glued to a chamber wall with factory lubrisludge. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. This revolver features rubber grips and is offered with a 2.75-inch barrel, as well as the standard 4.25-inch barrel. Accuracy was substandard compared to my older Smiths as well. The results of my accuracy shooting session with the new Model 19 Classic with a total of 10 factory loads (five .357 Magnum loads and five .38 Special loads) are listed in the accompanying chart. I retired as aFederal Det/Lt carrying a Sig P228. I ordered the 4.25-inch-barreled Classic revolver for my shooting review. Its failure due to the lock would not get me killed. I have a fairly new 629. If my count is correct, Smith offers, at least 14 models based on the K-frame. To each his own. YOU CANNOT BEAT THE MODEL-19-3. Im a revolver nut! As I stated earlier, the Model 19 also was offered in nickel finish. The Smith and Wesson Combat Magnum is alive and well. The reduction in metalexactsa price in the thickness and strength of the frames top strap. It has a classic ramped front sight with an orange insert for increased visibility pinned atop the . IF I had a Model 19 Id carry either .38 SPL Meat Mashers like I do now or way loaded down .357 with the same bullets. All Local Sales are FREE! They walk into a gun shop and buy whatever they think looks great and makes them happy. First time I took it to the range, it malfuctioned after maybe 30 magnum rounds. So many guns, so little money! My new from the factory custom shop model 41 pistol is a nightmare. In single action, the trigger supposedly breaks at 4lbs. I find them to carry better all day and be more nimble and quicker to get into action from a holster than the larger frame Smiths. The Classic also looks bigger in overall size so why would it be more delicate?, if so, it is a waste of money. I do all right in my gun clubs practical pistol matches. Theres just no comparison. When I was younger, I couldnt understand the appeal of a wheelgun, when semi pistols could be had. The old 19 is still more elegant, the new model must be taken for what it is, an unfaithful copy and a different revolver. But I felt like the Smith & Wesson Model 19 could do better. They are often chunky and have harsh lines. Yet the Rugers, with about the same weight and balance as the Smiths, tend to go for hundreds of thousands magnum loads, whereas the Smiths dont. At the time, .357 Magnum revolvers were built on the N frame. With a competent smith, the options are limited only by their time and your money. I will never let it go until I die A classic shooter. Still, the 19s are a nice revolver. 1 more deal from guns.com . After I was happy with my basic performance, it was off to the range. The front sight is a pinned ramp with a retro red ramp insert. Now both the P09 and VP9 are capable of 1 groups @ 25 but no way do they run sub 2 with a bunch of various SD or other loads. She hates autos. What I cant decide is whether the Model 19 is $300 better than the Ruger. I bought one in 1980 and it had a 3.5 ounces trigger. Smith & Wesson Model 66, 4.25" Barrel, 357 Magnum . I just couldnt get the cylinder to turn fast enough. 9 oz. breadcrumb. The new Model 19 Classic uses a cylinder release thumbpiece shaped like that of the original Model 19. Does this mean the steel guns arent tough, and cant take magnum loads. Hope this area was strengthened in the new model? Rather than shoot .38 special, I would rather shoot .357 loaded down to .38 velocities. Over time, using the .357 Magnum load, the temperature and pressure caused by these rounds will erode, cut into, and weaken the frame of the gun. It violates the first rule of reliability-keep it simple stupid. eBay; Sporting Goods; Hunting Equipment; Gun Storage; . Bill Jordan was right; the Model 19 points like your finger. The hammerspur is checkered and measures 0.38 inch wide. The only complaint I had was knoxing the site out of line getting in and out on the stwering wheel off the Patrol Car, and the grip size, which was too big for my hands, but was corrected when I went to Firearms Instructor School, with Hogue rubber groves grips. The revolvers cylinder is fluted and holds six rounds of .357 Magnum or .38 Special ammunition. I never said the gun was slow, I said I was slow with it. Yet the 9mm they have allowed to creep up more and more trying to get this cartridge to a decent level. Due to its popularity, the Smith and Wesson Model 19 is often worth more than its suggested retail price. Thats what new gun owners want. Ruger LCP vs Smith & Wesson Model 19 Classic 4.25" Ruger LCP. Any of you bought the new Model 19? The K-frame is, IMO, the less desirable frame than the L frame in .357s when hurling the 158s downrange with a stout load of powder behind them. Of course you should adjust for your round accordingly. The Smith & Wesson Model 43 C is an AirWeight variation of our Centennial Model. A little force is sometimes required, before it will "snap" open. View. The most obvious difference is the arched profile of the frame, at the hammer. Then I add one or two more targets at various distances but none more than seven yards and practice fast transitions from target to target. Id love a pair of early 80s model 681s the l frame was goldilocks for 357 magnums and 140grain jhps the all purpose bullet. No Smith with Hillary Hole for me. They are all right for just fooling around, and I wouldnt want to see that changed. the 642 J-frame) in a version that does not have one. I guess, I think Ill somehow get into a 34 round gunfight someday. The new, reintroduced Model 19 .357 Magnum K-Frame revolver is offered with a 4.25-inch barrel, a six-shot cylinder, a polished blued finish, walnut grips, an adjustable rear sight, and a red-ramp front sight. On a S&W, thats 0.002. Add to Wish List. The Author of the article conveniently forgot to mention that despite the M19 having a double heat treatment it would shoot loose after only about 2,000 full power .357 magnum loads. Then again, I dont think we had home economics either, as girls learned to cook from their moms. SMITH & WESSON MODEL 19-3 W/ FACTORY BOX AND PAPERWORK, CHAMBERED IN - .357 Magnum: 0 5d 6h 7m 17262118. I CURRENTLY OWN A 6 AND A 4 MODELS, BOTH BLUE IN PERFECT CONDITION ,ALMOST NIB. Wide, thick, and with a great shelf for the thumb, the standard wood grips look good and provide excellent control of the gun. For a pricey classic like this youd think they would leave it off to suit purists, but they must be catering to affluent buyers in certain nanny states that require such things. Why the author a writer would decide to use the word obligatory is a question. Just picked one up last week. That heavier, but smooth trigger is the one you want to keep the gun on target. Thats a pretty substantial improvement in stopping power. Capacity: 6 rounds Plenty of caliber to get any job done, light enough to carry all day on the hip, and completely reliable. But it would take many, many thousands of rounds of the lighter stuff to destroy that 19 so I wouldnt bother with .38s myself. What I do know is that its difficult to find 9mm +P in any sporting goods store or gun store, period. When engaged, it prevents the hammer from being cocked and the trigger from being squeezed. Its not that I havent seen cracked cones in the Rugers; theyre just very, very rare. In my ignorant youth, I wanted hi cap semis only. When shooting double action, the trigger was suddenly harder to pull. Still have a 4 and a 21/2 in my collection. Whether the .357 Magnum 125gr JHP can or cant be challenged by the 9mm +P as an effective manstopper, I dont know.