Shiny

[J-Bar]

Normally flashy/shiny does not appeal to me. But this model was hiding under the table at the gunshow, and was brought to light when I asked if anything else was for sale. We got acquainted. A 19-3, born in 1977, obviously loved and well cared for with her original nickel complexion still a flawless mirror. She has that fetching pinned barrel, recessed chambers, and original Magna grips. After some conversation I took her home.

Our first date at the range was OK but not spectacular. She didn’t like the .38 Special wadcutter/Bullseye choices I brought to the party. Some of them actually keyholed.

Okay…

While driving back home, I figured maybe a softer, heavier bullet at a bit higher velocity might be more to her liking, obturating in that petite barrel more completely. So, the rest of the afternoon was spent casting pure lead bullets and lubing them with Alox. Then I prepared a batch of those pure lead 158 grain RNFPs over 4 grains of Universal in Starline .357 brass and Winchester primers for our next date. No point in coming on too strong with full blown magnum loads. After all, she has that flat spot on her forcing cone which might make her vulnerable to the rough stuff. The loading manual recipe says those 158/Universals will clock about 890 FPS, but of course they won’t get that fast from her 2 1/2” barrel. The 148 grain wadcutters over 2.7 grains of Bullseye supposedly gives 713 FPS in the same reference, so the pressure and velocity of the Universal loads will be roughly a 25% increase. Should be enough to see some difference, if there is going to be one.



She liked the change in her diet! We took spins on the 10 yard dance floor and did slow double-action sets. Round holes, no keyholes. We could have danced all day at the range on our second date, but the batch of test ammo ran out quickly. This group was her best by a little bit, discounting the shakey old man flier. All the Universal groups were tighter than the Bullseye “target” loads. Can’t blame me for wanting to show her at her best, even before I cleaned her. Very gratifying that I guessed her preference on the first try.

I hope I get invited to a barbecue so I can show her off.

 

[ontarget]

Very cool!
My 19-3 should be at the ffl tomorrow. Though I won't be able to pick it up until Saturday .

 

[Pat Riot]

I am pretty sure you are enchanted @J-Bar
Someone put a spell on you to forever find great revolvers.

Do you still have their number?


Congratulations on a fine revolver.

 

[J-Bar]

I am pretty sure you are enchanted @J-Bar
Someone put a spell on you to forever find great revolvers.

Do you still have their number?


Congratulations on a fine revolver.

Indeed! We text often!!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Beautiful gun, J!
Have you thought about adding a T-grip? Those round-butt Magnas look svelte, but are pretty useless for actual shooting.

 

[J-Bar]

Beautiful gun, J!
Have you thought about adding a T-grip? Those round-butt Magnas look svelte, but are pretty useless for actual shooting.

Thanks. Maybe. This is about as close to a safe queen as I will ever get. Probably gonna be fondled a lot and shot rarely. If I find some exotic grips I may dress her up a bit more! Got any round butt K Frame dress scales you want to let go??

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Nothing that would be an improvement on those.

 

[Armored farmer]

I'm a sucker for those model 19 and 66 snubs.
Congrats @J-Bar

 

[ontarget]

Here is a pic of your new 19s little brother
It's a 64 that was purported to have belonged to a local police chief, but I can't verify that claim. I got it for an excellent price so the origin was not a factor in my decision anyway.
Gotta love them older Smiths.
This one needs a grip adapter and the only spare I currently have is gold, so not a good look on this one.

 

[Pat Riot]

I like BK grip adapters versus the T grips.

BK Grips | 2-Clip Grip Adapters for Revolvers

Here’s one on my model 10 with its old grips.



Here are my J-Fames with BK adapters.


Mini Hijack:
By the way @J-Bar , do you own a model 40 Centennial J frame?

 

[J-Bar]

Mini Hijack:
By the way @J-Bar , do you own a model 40 Centennial J frame?

No. Perhaps I should say not yet. Two 60s, one of which I CC, and my missus totes a 37 (Airweight .38). Why?

 

[Pat Riot]

No. Perhaps I should say not yet. Two 60s, one of which I CC, and my missus totes a 37 (Airweight .38). Why?

Do you see those really pretty grip panels on the 442 Airweght in the picture I posted above?
They are for a model 40 Centennial, not the 442 or 36. The half moon cutout that holds the grip panels in the frame at the top of the grip is cut lower to accommodate the model 40 frame.
The first time I fired the gun with the grip adapter on it the top of the panels slid back about an eighth of an inch.
If you had a mil 40 I was going to ask if you would like them. I can’t use them.

 

[Mark_Mark]

View attachment 1183986



Normally flashy/shiny does not appeal to me. But this model was hiding under the table at the gunshow, and was brought to light when I asked if anything else was for sale. We got acquainted. A 19-3, born in 1977, obviously loved and well cared for with her original nickel complexion still a flawless mirror. She has that fetching pinned barrel, recessed chambers, and original Magna grips. After some conversation I took her home.

Our first date at the range was OK but not spectacular. She didn’t like the .38 Special wadcutter/Bullseye choices I brought to the party. Some of them actually keyholed.

Okay…

While driving back home, I figured maybe a softer, heavier bullet at a bit higher velocity might be more to her liking, obturating in that petite barrel more completely. So, the rest of the afternoon was spent casting pure lead bullets and lubing them with Alox. Then I prepared a batch of those pure lead 158 grain RNFPs over 4 grains of Universal in Starline .357 brass and Winchester primers for our next date. No point in coming on too strong with full blown magnum loads. After all, she has that flat spot on her forcing cone which might make her vulnerable to the rough stuff. The loading manual recipe says those 158/Universals will clock about 890 FPS, but of course they won’t get that fast from her 2 1/2” barrel. The 148 grain wadcutters over 2.7 grains of Bullseye supposedly gives 713 FPS in the same reference, so the pressure and velocity of the Universal loads will be roughly a 25% increase. Should be enough to see some difference, if there is going to be one.

View attachment 1183985

She liked the change in her diet! We took spins on the 10 yard dance floor and did slow double-action sets. Round holes, no keyholes. We could have danced all day at the range on our second date, but the batch of test ammo ran out quickly. This group was her best by a little bit, discounting the shakey old man flier. All the Universal groups were tighter than the Bullseye “target” loads. Can’t blame me for wanting to show her at her best, even before I cleaned her. Very gratifying that I guessed her preference on the first try.

I hope I get invited to a barbecue so I can show her off.

Always a flyer!

 

[J-Bar]

Do you see those really pretty grip panels on the 442 Airweght in the picture I posted above?
They are for a model 40 Centennial, not the 442 or 36. The half moon cutout that holds the grip panels in the frame at the top of the grip is cut lower to accommodate the model 40 frame.
The first time I fired the gun with the grip adapter on it the top of the panels slid back about an eighth of an inch.
If you had a mil 40 I was going to ask if you would like them. I can’t use them.

Thanks for your kind offer, but as you say they wouldn't work. They are beautiful, though.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm not a big fan of "snub" Model 19's, as most of you know, I'm about eat up with 4" barrels, but I might could have made an exception for that one. Fine looking shooter there, that's for sure, J-Bar.

Always a flyer!

Ain't that the truth! First six from my 686, 7 yards, SA, 148 wadcutters.

I shudda quit then.

 

[Riomouse911]

@J-Bar, a very handsome pick up you have made there, that nickel on your Model 19 looks spotless!

As @NIGHTLORD40K posted, the walnut dress shoes S&W put on their smaller-barreled revolvers look great. But, IMHO those grips aren’t always the best for comfort or recoil control, especially when magnum loads are fired. Grip adapters certainly help keep a hold on them, as do the much less eye-appealing synthetics.

My K frame short barreled .357’s wear either Pachmayr (Model 19-3 2.5”)

Or Hogue grips on them. (Model 13-4 3”)


They certainly aren’t dressed up like the Belle’s of the Ball, but with these rubbery shoes on I find that they are a lot more comfortable to dance with.

Again, that is one fine looking, and sweet shooting, .357 magnum snub. Congrats!

Stay safe.

 

[Riomouse911]

I'm not a big fan of "snub" Model 19's, as most of you know, I'm about eat up with 4" barrels, but I might could have made an exception for that one. Fine looking shooter there, that's for sure, J-Bar.



Ain't that the truth! First six from my 686, 7 yards, SA, 148 wadcutters.

I shudda quit then.

That is the story of my shooting life in a nutshell. I don't know why, but it is almost ALWAYS shot #4 that my brain decides has to go somewhere else!

Even with the one hitting a tad low, that is nice shooting!

Stay safe.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I'm not a big fan of "snub" Model 19's, as most of you know, I'm about eat up with 4" barrels, but I might could have made an exception for that one. Fine looking shooter there, that's for sure, J-Bar.



Ain't that the truth! First six from my 686, 7 yards, SA, 148 wadcutters.

I shudda quit then.

I always wonder if it’s the one chamber… but it happens to me with Auto too

 

[Pat Riot]

I always wonder if it’s the one chamber… but it happens to me with Auto too

Same here.

I used to get angry when that always seemed to happen. Then one day I decided that those are “Humility Shots”. God’s way of saying “You ain’t all that”.

EDIT:
Maybe we should call them “Designated Flyers”.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Same here.

I used to get angry when that always seemed to happen. Then one day I decided that those are “Humility Shots”. God’s way of saying “You ain’t all that”.

EDIT:
Maybe we should call them “Designated Flyers”.

Count your blessings!

I use to shoot all flyers! lol

 

[halfmoonclip]

J-bar, do think about the BK faux ivory grip adapters; they look good on a nickle gun, and keep the old school vibe. Nice catch; enjoy. I've a nickel M10 snub that wears a set; they feel good/look good.
Moon

 

[Pat Riot]

J-bar, do think about the BK faux ivory grip adapters; they look good on a nickle gun, and keep the old school vibe. Nice catch; enjoy. I've a nickel M10 snub that wears a set; they feel good/look good.
Moon

I was considering buying a nickel plated model 10 snubby I found at my LGS. . I thought that if I got it I would use the fake ivory BK grip with a pair of Altamont’s checkered Rosewood “Classic Panels”. When I went back to the gun store the model 10 was gone.

 

[johnjohn]

He who hesitates is lost.

 

[J-Bar]

He who hesitates is lost.

And this is why you should ask that cheerleader for a date. Once in a while...