Traded for a S&W 19-3 today, 1st revolver!

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Andy_C

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Wondering what tips and recommendations some experienced shooters have as far as care and feeding are concerned! Cleaning processes - anyone use a boresnake? Your favorite ammo (manufacturer and loads) DA vs SA shooting, good distances to practice at, etc! I'll try and get some pics to post, it is a former service revolver, 4" barrel, blue, came with duty holster, a couple of speedloaders and a speedloader case, should be good for the long haul!
 
Congrats on the new family member. I recently got a 19 as well. I've already ordered up a Wolff spring kit for it to lighten up the double action pull. The single action release is best described by that tired old phrase "like breaking glass" but it's the truth in the case of the 19's.

I've never used a bore snake myself but the key is to protect the muzzle tip right at the crown edge where the rifling ends. But a bore brush with bronze wire and bristles on an aluminium rod will be fine. That's if you need the heavy duty stuff. I suspect that most of your needs will be taken care of with must pathces and cleaner.

So far I'm on my first bulk buy of Fiocchi .38 Spl and a couple of boxes of American Eagle .357. I've managed some presentable groups of shots with the Fiocchi but I know that it's not rated all that highly. I'll soon be reloading my own .38/.357 so I'm hoping I can zero in on recipes that it likes for both sizes.

Don't neglect cleaning inside under the sideplate either. Being an ex-duty arm I don't doubt that there's going to be either a lot of fluff inside or maybe a lot of dried and crusty lube. A good cleaning and oiling would be a wise investment. However before you try this it's time to go screwdriver shopping. Either buy a gun specific set so you can find tips that fit your screw slots "just" right or do what I do and buy a few drivers and find one that almost fits. Then using a sharpening stone work it dow until it is a dead on match for both the slot width and length. Fully supported in the slot like such a fit will give almost guarantees that you won't find yourself marring or burring up the heads. Also they are SMALL screws. Truly you only need two fingers to torque them down correctly at this size. Don't go nutz on them even if it takes a lot to break them loose the first time.

And of couse we need to see pictures so we can all "oooooh" and "ahhhhhhh" at your good fortune.... :D

My own 19 will be with me as long as I own guns. I'll add to my S&W family but I can't see ever parting with my 19.
 
I have a 66 and a pre-10.....mine like 158 gr swc handloads with either Unique or Universal clays....cleaning requires a good bronze brush. I put a piece of wood over the firing pin hole to protect it from the end of the brush. You'll also want the patches that you pull through the barrel from the breach that are either brass or bronze to get the lead...(sorry, having a brain fade, I'm sure someone remembers the name of the kit - like lead out or similar). Remember to clean the chambers very well if shooting a lot of 38's....

Most K frames were not designed to digest lightweight very hot 357 loads on a steady basis - watch from top strap cutting with those.....

The 19 is a great gun - enjoy
 
Rumours of their fragility may be exagerated. Some good reading.

http://www.gunblast.com/Butch_SW-Model19.htm

Still, even if the gun can take it the body is weak and my hand would be screaming for mercy if I shot .357 through it as much as I've shot .38Spl. Now in the case of my Nframed Highway Patrolman? That's a horse of a different flavour.

Besides, there's no accuracy penalty for shooting .38Spl through it and the ammo is a darned sight cheaper.

When I get to reloading the plan is to load .357 brass to .38Spl, Spl+P powers as well as the full .357 recipe so I get away from the short casing deposits. For pure target accuracy the power of the .38Spl is more than enough. And it's also a joy to shoot if you're there for a lot of rounds. Then if the gun is to be used for hunting or protection the +P or full on Magnum power loads can be used.

Typically for myself so far I've shot a box of 50 .38Spl with a couple of cylinders of .357 mixed in for variety and to show myself that I mean business.... :D It seems to be working out well so far and I expect years of service shooting in this manner.
 
Some pics

And thanks for the thoughts so far!
 

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Yes indeed, that is a fine little gun. I got my 19-5 out of layaway last month and I can assure you that this is one gun that will never be sold. I put Hogue Monogrips on it as those fine looking target grips just move too much in my hands. I've shot several boxes of .357/148 gr. HBWC's loaded with Bullseye and the gun has been very accurate and the recoil quite mild with this load. Feed the gun 140 to 158 gr. bullets and the gun will last a lifetime.
 
The stocks on your 19 are my preferred type.
Very good for my hands.
Excellent outfit you got there.

My 2 19s are fed a 99% diet of 158gr. LSWC
over the "Book Recommended" amount of Unique in
the 38 case or the "Book Recommended" amount in
the 357 case.... NOT necessarily the top loading either.


For carry purposes, I use a factory midrange
158grJHP. Roughly 1100fps depending on barrel
length.... Plenty for me, but others might like a
bit more excitement.

Regards,
Old 112
 
messerist, you've been here long enough to know: with the photographs that some of these folks post, it's worth getting your own drool bucket.

Some of the older guys have theirs engraved. ;)
 
Nice score, Andy! I also have my eye on an old duty M 19.

I would want a holster that covers the trigger guard. And if the original stocks flip around in your hand at all, add a Tyler T-Grip to "fatten" the feel while retaining the good looks.
 
Snap Cap question

I'm thinking of getting some snap caps to allow plenty of dry firing, I've seen the A-Zoom aluminum ones seem well regarded, now my question is: What size? They come in both .38 and .357, I'm confused about which to use! Thanks for the responses so far, looking forward to some nicer weather to get out and get some rounds off (my range is my back yard, still a bit of snow but it is going fast!)
 
They come in both .38 and .357, I'm confused about which to use!
Click to expand...

Congrats on a nice 1st revolver!

As to the .38 vs .357 A-Zooms, the only difference would be their length. Given your gun is chambered for the longer .357, you can use either, just as you can shoot both .38spl and .357mag. I'd order whichever is cheaper.
 
I just dry fire my S&Ws.

I have used snapcaps for reloading drills but I don't like the clear plastic ones with brass springs in them because the brass was chipping off.
I have taken some empty resized cases and cut up an ink eraser and put it in the primer pockets and loaded in some LSWCs in and drilled cross holes in them to use as snapcap/speedload practice.
 
And if the original stocks flip around in your hand at all, add a Tyler T-Grip to "fatten" the feel while retaining the good looks.
Click to expand...

T-grips are not compatible with the target stocks, so that doesn't apply. If you find that grip too large, you may want to try a set of Magna grips and a T-grip. The grips as pictured are worth likely $40 on their own, though it would be false economy to sell them and break them up from the gun if they are original to it.

As Brian Williams said, dry firing these guns is fine, no worry. No snap caps necessary, and this is according to the manufacturer, too (go check their website FAQ's). Do 10 to 15 a day for a year and you will be a wiz! Practice until your front sight never wavers within the rear notch. The trick is like Weaver instructed, put a little tension fore and aft in your grip.
 
I use A Zoom snap caps but I like Brian's idea of making your own. Will have to try it. I finally got a "drool bucket" of my own. A local gun store received a shipment of ex-police S&W Model 19s but they were in terrible shape so I passed on them. They varied in price from $250-400. I suppose I could have bought a cheap one and purty'd her up. Good luck on your find, it's a winner
 
Congrats! I think you will find shortly why so many regard the M-19 as one of the finest revolvers of all time.

I've had my 19-5 for about 3 weeks now, and think it is the best deal I've ever gotten on a handgun. It's displaced my 629 .44 Magnum as my favorite already. :eek:

Ammo? So far anything in a .38 Special case shoots well. As does most of what comes in the .357 case so far, just the .38s are easier to ring out the best accuracy. I found a load I like today of 2400 and a 140gr Hornady XTP in a .357 case. Accuracy is amazing. Can't wait to get some more bullets and load some more! I'll probably try the 158 version of the same bullet as soon as I can get my hands on some as well.

For flat out fun, try 148gr .38 wadcutters. Super accurate, super easy to shoot.

As for DA or SA shooting; I've fired mine mostly DA so far. It's just so smooth, and I think out to 25 yards I shoot it better in DA mode.
 
The 19-3 is my favorite Smith revolver. I have four and one 19-4. I really enjoy shooting DA, and the K-frames are wonderful revolvers for this.
 
I kick myself for getting rid of a Model 13 years ago. It had a lustrous blue finish and just reeked quality. Back then, though, the tolerances were hit or miss and every now and then there would be a buggered screw. Still, when you got a good one, they were a great find.

I wouldn't worry about shooting them. If you want to get out and just shoot full house loads all the time, get a Ruger, but you're okay with the Model 19.

The .357 is my favorite "car" or traveling pistol. Fits right in the glove box and can deal with anything on the highway.
 
This was a one-off trade, the previous owner had purchased it 15? years ago from a local PD that had retired it, he had it reblued and fired it very little, I traded a Savage rifle for it, no more where it came from :(
 
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