New to me S&W 19!!

[wanderinwalker]

Yep, just picked up a used S&W Model 19-5 .357 Magnum. I was actually looking for a Nylon 66 that the shop had had, but was sold. So I poked around the shop a little bit, and came across this S&W.

It looks severely holster worn. There is just about no finish left on the muzzle or the high points of the cylinder. But looking closer revealed the gem inside: The bore is spotless, as are the chambers with minimal to no top strap cutting and no erosion to speak of anywhere. It also has a red-ramp front sight and white outline rear, though I might imagine the rear sight is after market. It has X slots on the adjustment screws and the white outline is almost T shaped with two prongs at the top of the cross bar. It checks out in time and end shake and b/c gap. The stop notches show no significant wear, and the turn line is fairly faint.

The trigger is smooth in DA, and the SA let-off is unbelievably light. It has a standard hammer spur with a grooved target trigger. And somebody put a Hogue wood monogrip sock on it, which I will probably swap out for some Ahrend's as my M-18 has. Serial number is AAS8xxx, which I believe is early-production for the 19-5.

So instead of getting a neat .22 rifle, I ended up with a neat S&W. Oh, and it was a little over $300 OTD. I'm positive is an ex-police gun, as it came with 3 holsters and a duty belt, and just based on the finish wear. Of course the belt is for somebody a bit bigger than I am.

Pics to follow later tonight.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

It also has a red-ramp front sight and white outline rear, though I might imagine the rear sight is after market. It has X slots on the adjustment screws and the white outline is almost T shaped with two prongs at the top of the cross bar.

Could be a Millett rear sight.

 

[glassman]

congrats on the M19. Gotta love the classics. Will you have it reblued or leave it as is?

 

[wanderinwalker]

Here's the pictures:







Honestly, I see more red/orange flecks in the photos than are visible in person.

And glassman, I haven't decided yet. First I figured I'd get it to the range and see how it shoots, then worry about what may or may not need to be done to it.

If I had to guess, I'd say it hasn't actually been fired much, at least not with hot loads. My 629 shows more flame cutting and erosion on the face of the cylinder, and it has about 3600 rounds through it (in my hands).

The Lone Haranguer, that's it, no question in my mind. It must be a Millet sight. And these are checkered Hogue monogrips.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Nice score, that well clean up nice, excellent shooter. I like the grips.

 

[loneviking]

Very nice! I just got out of lay-a-wake a twin to this little gun. 19-5, very minimal bluing wear with very few rounds fired; mine has the red front site as well. At the range, I can shoot 1.5 or better groups at 50 ft. Very nice, classic gun!

 

[SwampWolf]

One of the nicest revolvers Smith or anyone else has ever made. If you decide to have it refinished, I suggest that you have the factory do it-assuming they still can and/or will do the original Smith "Bright Blue" process.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Thanks guys!

I was having a bit of buyer's remorse today while at work. After all, it's not like I don't have other handguns, including 2 other S&W revolvers. But I don't (didn't) have a .357 and my "serious" revolver is a 6" N-frame .44 Magnum. So I've decided I need a couple of boxes of .38s and a Saturday morning therapy session!

As to refinish or not: I'm still on the fence. Gotta get it out and shoot it first. I like the idea of having S&W refinish is back to nice bright blue. The blue that remains fully intact is gorgeous! But I also like the idea of a matte electroless nickel finish. But blued is pretty.

And how in the world did I get a handgun into the safe without managing to possess at least 1 (ONE) box of ammo for it? Pay day is Wednesday; we'll fix that problem then!

 

[glassman]

I'd say it hasn't actually been fired much, at least not with hot loads.

Stick with 158gr ammo to avoid cracking the forcing cone.

 

[XavierBreath]

There is no reason to refinishthat gorgeous gun! Just oil it, and enjoy it.

I'm certain you have learned the grip is a Hogue Monogrip. In checkered wooden form, it's a $75-80 grip. The Model 19-5 had a plain ramp. Somebody had a orange insert installed along with the Millett rear sight. On top of that, I bet she has had a trigger job. The accessories are just lagniappe. This is probably an old dedicated PPC revolver.

For $300 I would have burned my butt getting my wallet out!

 

[MrBorland]

The accessories are just lagniappe.

Lagniappe?! Naw, probably just something the store owner threw in

Nice gun, though.







la·gniappe
n. Chiefly Southern Louisiana & Mississippi
1. A small gift presented by a storeowner to a customer with the customer's purchase.
2. An extra or unexpected gift or benefit. Also called regionally boot.

 

[Eightball]

Why on earth don't I even score deals like that?

NICE find!

 

[wanderinwalker]

Eightball:
Why on earth don't I even score deals like that?

NICE find!

I feel your pain! Until yesterday, I always said the same thing: Why don't I ever score those deals.

Right now I have this irresistible urge to take 'er out and hammer some steel plates and silhouettes.

XavierBreath, I agree on the idea it may have had a trigger job. It is smooth in DA and positively feathery in SA. The trigger is a serrated target version, but the hammer is a narrow service. It must have been done by somebody who knew the business: There is not a buggered screw on this piece. As for this stocks, I like them, but will likely swap them for a smooth-style stock, as my hands are small and don't fit finger grooves well.

Full disclosure: It was $329 out the door. Did I mention one of the holsters is a Milt Sparks belt rig with out thumb-break?

Edited: I swabbed the barrel and cylinder, but apparently it wasn't needed. Somebody took care of this weapon where it counted.

 

[Guillermo]

xavierbreath could not be more correct.

Do not touch that gun. Lube her up and enjoy.

 

[loneviking]

Xavier, the 19 I just picked up has those same sights. Are these sights specific to the PPC competitions? Wouldn't they work as well with IDPA or IPSC competitions? BTW, the OP got a slightly better deal than me. Mine was $400, but has less bluing wear.

 

[SwampWolf]

Did I mention one of the holsters is a Milt Sparks belt rig with out thumb-break?

Do you like rubbing envy salt into the jealousy wound?

 

[Ala Dan]

Recently, I picked up this 6" Smith & Wesson model 19-5 .357 magnum. It
too, has an AAS serial number prefix; as in AAS 7xxx~! Used
but not abused, without box and doc's for only $200 OTD~!

 

[loneviking]

$200? You stole it and you know it!

 

[FullEffect1911]

Good god man, that sounds like one of the most outstanding deals I've ever heard of. My bet is that it is one hell of a shooter.

Do you like rubbing envy salt into the jealousy wound?

I think I can get behind that question.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Of course now I'm trying to just find some ammunition to feed it for Saturday morning. Do you think I could find just a box of 130gr FMJ WWB at Wal-Mart? No, why should I? The clerk did say he'll have some late tonight/tomorrow, so I'll try again.

I did get some Magtech 158gr LRN .38s and a box of Independence .357 158gr JSPs at an LGS. That gets me to 100 rounds to start with. I'm hoping to track down a box of two of WWB with 158gr slugs in the .357 variety too.

Now, before we go worrying about loads, I just want a few hundred pieces of good brass to reload. Hence why I am searching out the Winchester stuff. I've loaded tons of W-W brass in .44 Magnum, 9mm, .45 and .223, always with good success and solid service life. I see no reason to switch unless it's to Starline.

 

[docdizzle]

Ok, so it's 5AM on Saturday and you don't have a range report yet. *** is wrong with you? I know you're going to shoot it today. And now you can't be upset at me over the 19-4 I have waiting over with my DW at Stateline

 

[Radagast]

Ala Dan, that was porn you just posted. High quality porn. It invokes desire in any male who views it. I was happy with my 1972 model 66 no dash. Now I have to start looking around for a model 19. You should be ashamed for making me unfaithful.