About pins, recessions, and such

[GreyAwakened]

Howdy!

I ordered a gun I have been looking for some time. S&W m19, that is. This one was 19-3 model, which if I understood correctly should be pinned and recessed?

What other P&R Smith revolvers are/were there?

When was the -3 models manufactured?

Do you think I made a good choice?

 

[Checkman]

S&W stopped P&R in 1982. But it isn't uncommon to find a revolver from that time period that might be pinned but not recessed. Even though the changes would be introduced the company would use up it's exsisting stock so it isn't uncommon to find a specimen that will be half old design and half new. Last Friday I looked at a nickle plated M27 that was pinned but the cylinder chambers weren't countersunk. Sometimes the transition pieces can be pretty neat.

 

[Shear_stress]

According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, the 19-3 was made between 1967 and 1968. Checkman is right, S&W stopped pinning barrels and recessing centerfire cylinders in 1982, so your M19 should have those features. As far as I know, all barrels were pinned prior to that date (except for the early L-frames), but not all cylinders had counterbored chambers. I understand that the latter feature was used for magnum and rimfire chambers as of 1935, but not for guns produced in 38 Special.

 

[lawboy]

Hi. I have a 2.5-inch M19-3 in nickel circa 1970. It is pinned and recessed and oh so sweet! Enjoy.

 

[unspellable]

P&R's

I have seen (and have) S&W's with recessed chambers and no barrel pins, but I've never seen a magnum with a pinned barrel and without recessed chambers.