Smith & Wesson 19-3 date of manufacture help

[jrbailey]

Hi there, I have a Smith & Wesson Model 19-3 revolver that was passed down to me from my grandfather and I'm curious as to when this gun was manufactured. The serial number is 4K40932. There are also a couple other stampings on the cylinder that read "F16" and "40837." Thanks very much for any help you can give me. I really appreciate it.

 

[Ron James]

The serial number range for the Model 19 in 1973 was 4K1628 to 4K54104.

 

[bigger jon]

I got a 2k593xx

It`s kind of funny when i was younger I couldn`t figger out why anyone would want a K frame 357 when you can get a L frame,But now when i hunt or just hike around I wouldn`t want tne extra L frame weight? go figger?

 

[jrbailey]

Thanks

Thanks very much for the help!

 

[weimerdane]

Hi,
I just purchased a S&W model 19-3 also! Could you please tell me the date of manufactor for Serial #7K76043

Thanks so much!

 

[Ron James]

The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson shows 1975.

 

[Jamesmb]

Hi,

I just bought my first handgun yesterday at a gun show, and is a model 19-3 I saw. The serial number is 2K49081. The price was $249 just wonder if this was a good deal or not and how old it might be by the serial number.

Thanks,

James

 

[Bearhands]

In good condition, sounds like a steal to me!.... I recently purchased a 19-4 for $325 and I'm happy as hell with it.

 

[skeezix]

Yes, and 1971

James,

Your gun was shipped in 1971. If your gun is in good shape, you did good on the price. I recently bought a 19-4 with 4" barrel in 95% condition for $375, which is about the "going price" in my part of the world (Texas).

Enjoy your new toy!

Lorin

 

[Jamesmb]

Thanks,

for the info on my 19-3. This is my first handgun, I only owned a single shot 12 gauge H & R years ago, so am new to guns. I did notice the outside of the barrel is green and is scratched up some before this green was put on. Also the safety doesnt always seem to stay on. Should I take to a gunsmith? Just now with the safety on, I wiggled the revolver cylinder, if that is the right terminology and the safety popped off. Is this normal? I can take pics of it but not sure how to upload it on here. I am in Knox County Tenn

 

[DouglasW]

This is my first handgun, I only owned a single shot 12 gauge H & R years ago, so am new to guns. Also the safety doesnt always seem to stay on. Should I take to a gunsmith? Just now with the safety on, I wiggled the revolver cylinder, if that is the right terminology and the safety popped off. Is this normal?

Congratulation on your purchase. The 19-3 should serve you well for years to come.

Revolvers don't have safeties...so I'm not sure to what you're referring. Perhaps the cylinder release latch on the left side of the frame? If you could post a pic, that would be great.

Here's a link on how to post pics on THR: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=57796

 

[skeezix]

Not a Safety

James,

The S & W model 19 does not have a safety. Are you referring to the Thumbpiece, as shown in this picture of my model 19?


(click for big)

Since this is your first revolver, I suggest that you study the owner's manual shown here:
http://stevespages.com/pdf/s&w_revolver.pdf

This manual is for the newer S & W models which have integrel locks and some other variations from your gun, but the basics are the same.

I'm not sure what the "green" on your barrel is. If you want to email me a picture, maybe I can venture a guess.

Lorin

 

[DouglasW]

Since you're new to handguns James (as I was just a few years ago), I'd recommend you read through a Smith & Wesson owner's manual to familiarize yourself with its safe operation.

I couldn't quickly find one for the Model 19 online, but this current manual should provide a good starting point.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/other/Revolver.pdf

edit: Skeezix beat me to it!

 

[skeezix]

edit: Skeezix beat me to it!

Hey Doug,

They don't call me "nimble fingers" for nothin'.

Lorin

 

[Jamesmb]

Ok thanks for the info. Yes that is what I was referring to the thumbpiece skeezix seems sometimes it locks the trigger and hammer and other times it aint maybe when opening the cylinder it stays locked but I am able to lock it at times when the cylinder is in too.







I will check out the Smith & Wesson link on the model 19 manual.

Thanks,

James

 

[rcmodel]

Good grief!

I hate to tell you this, but if you paid $249 for that, you got the Big Purple Shaft!

It looks like it got burned up in a house fire, and then spray painted green over the rust scale.

The cylinder release should snap to the rear every time the cylinder is closed.
You should be able to push it foreword to open the cylinder.

At no time should it stay foreword, even part-way foreword, with the cylinder closed.

At no time should you be able to move it foreword with the cylinder closed and have it stay there.

It should only stay foreword with the cylinder open.

I think it is gummed up with paint, or the spring has been softened by a fire.

In any case, I would suggest you have it checked over by a gunsmith for fire damage, and the cyclinder locking system repaired if the gun hasn't been fire damaged.

Do not attempt to shoot it with the defective cylinder latch.


rcmodel

 

[Jamesmb]

I asked the man several times who sold it to me who has a gun store if this was safe to use and he kept saying yes, he finally said he had not shot it himself but was ok. He said the scratches on the barrel were maybe it was dragged on the road somewhere. The thumbpiece definately hangs in either direction locked or unlocked as I call it and if you push all the way, then you can open the cylinder. I just tried and the thumbpiece does stay forward when the cylinder is open, but that is about the only thing according to your above list that works right. When the cylinder is closed and it sometimes stays or sticks forward the trigger is locked then.

 

[rcmodel]

It is supposed to stay foreword with the cylinder even slightly open.
At the same time, it should also lock the trigger & hammer from moving to preclude any possibility of the gun firing with the cylinder unlocked.

From what I can see in the photo's the deep scaling & pitting all over the cylinder, and left-front of the frame above the trigger guard, look more like scaling / pitting from a house fire then from rust damage.

If it has been fire damaged, the frame & cylinder heat treatment have been destroyed, and the gun is unsafe to fire with any .357 Magnum ammo.

If the cylinder lock is not working properly and hanging up, it is unsafe to fire, period!

If I were you, I would take it back and get my money back.
There are much nicer 19's around, that still work right, for the same money you paid for that one.


rcmodel

 

[skeezix]

3-Ts

Tactical Two-Tone. Very fashionable.

 

[Jamesmb]

Update,

Well I took it took an indoor range today, and showed it to some people and nobody thought it had fire damage. Maybe the pictures I posted were not that all clear though. I shot 28 rounds of 38 ammo and was surprised of the loudness and the kick, I did have ear protection on. I then later in the day found a gunsmith and he tried different things to fix the thumbpiece but so far no luck. He changed the spring which was soft and filed the cylinder as he checked the gap between the cylinder and the barrel and one place was closer, but he is still working on this. He did a hardness test and fired some 357 magnums and said he could not see any fire damage which I was glad to hear.

 

[ABTOMAT]

I don't think you can easy predict fire damage from just photos of something that's been painted. But judging just from what the surface looks like under that coating that must be a very abused or rusted gun.

 

[Jamesmb]

The gunsmith did say it looked like water damage from all the pitting and what not. I am just looking for a gun for self defense that is safe to use, nothing more, dont care what it looks like.

 

[Bulldogs]

I have a question about a S&W .357 Mag...help please

I recently received a .357 mag from my parents house. My dad is in his 3rd year of battling brain cancer and we wanted to remove the guns from the house....I am not real familiar with guns, and was just wondering about when it was made, and what kind of price I could get if I sold it? Thanks, Rob


The serial # is 7K75793, from earlier posts I believe it was manufactured in the mid-70's...The gun is in pristine condition! Not a scratch on her...Doesn't even look like it has been fired!

 

[skeezix]

For Bulldogs

Rob,

Sounds like you have a nice gun there. Manufacture/ship date was 1975.

Do you know the model number? Open the cylinder and look here:



What is the barrel length? What type of grips? Do you also have the original box with instruction sheet and other documents, and the little package of "tools" (cleaning rod, bore brush, bore mop, and screw driver)? All of this, as well as your locale, will influence the value of the gun. Depending on what model it is, you are probably looking at $400 or so, maybe more.

If you can you post a picture, or email it to me, I might be able to give you a better estimate?

Lorin

 

[Bulldogs]

Thanks!

Lorin,
Thanks for the info, my gun is the 19-3 model...and for what it's worth the stock or handle of the gun is made from wood. I have no idea where my dad got this gun....is there any way I could find out if and where it is or has been registered? He probably didn't even register it. And no there were no booklets, or cleaning kits in the case. There was this .357 and a 32 calibre colt handgun. The colt looks really old. Again thanks for the info and I appreciate the input!

Rob