Smith & Wesson have made several excellent revolvers over the many years of the company’s existence; in fact, they’ve made so many that the blizzard of differently-numbered models is bewildering, especially to an Older Man Of Little Brain And Much Confusion like myself.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look on any specific model with a jaundiced eye, oh no. Rather, we should regard each of them with extreme pleasure… and which brings us to this particular model, the 19 (from Merchant Of Death Steve Barnett) — which many regard as one of the very best:
I guess the only question to be asked is: “Would this be an acceptable gun for the Governor’s BBQ party?”
My answer would be: “Of course it would. It’s absolutely gorgeous.”
My own taste would run instead to the blued 6″ version (because blue is less show-offy, and the 6″ barrel handles the .357’s recoil better than the shorter 4″):
…but it wouldn’t matter, because it’s still the same damn fine revolver.
And yes, I know: the K-framed Mod 19 may not stand up to heavy shooting of the .357 Magnum cartridge, the N-frame (model 27) being perhaps better-manufactured for that purpose.
But honestly — and I say this as an owner of a K-frame Model 65 in the same chambering — exactly how much intensive .357 Mag shooting can one handle before there’s an aching wrist in the picture?
I just think the K-frame revolvers fit better in my hand than the beefier Ns; and that is one of my major criteria in buying a handgun, any handgun. And for those of an historical bent, it should be pointed out that S&W has been making their K-frame revolvers since the late 19th century.
Discuss.
There’s not much to discuss really. I have a 4″ Model 19, and it’s a superb gun. I also have a lever gun chambered in .357 for reasons of ammo compatibility, and I reckon I’d have to go a long way and look real hard to find a situation I couldn’t handle with that combination.
Just to pic a nit, and illustrate your point regarding model obscurity, S&W N-frames chambered in .357 Mag are the Models 27 and 28. The 29, of course, is in .44 Magnum.
I have a 4″ M 65, which is the last I’d give up. 😉
Like I said, the S&W model numbers give me fits. Changes made, with thanks.
Mr. du Toit:
The problem I have with S&W’s revolver numbering system is that (at least to me) it appears almost random. Their numbering for their semi-auto pistols at least had SOME semblance of reasoning behind it. Here’s a handy reference for those from Lucky Gunner:
https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/guide-smith-wesson-semi-automatic-models/
While I would not feel under-dressed with a Model 19, my personal choice would be a 586 with a 6″ barrel and wood stocks. If I am ever able to move to a free state, I hope to have mine refinished in a deep blue (probably ceracote if I can get the right color) and have a BBQ rig made for it.
Cerakote?
Sometimes I wonder why I allow such profanity and heresy on my back porch…
Well. I saw a gun at the range a few years back that had a finish that looked just like that of a Colt Python. Or, at least, as I remembered a Python finish. According the owner, it was cerakoted. I’ve never been fan of the Python but the factory finish was gorgeous.
I purchased my Model 19 in the early ’70s. 6-inch barrel, K frame, and factory fresh shiny blue from the factory. Your third picture of the Model 19 on the box reminds me of the day when the salesman set the box on the counter, opened it, and placed my new toy on top, just like in the picture.
I do not know how many hundreds of rounds I put through that art piece, but they’ve been plenty, and never did I experience a misfire or mechanical problem. Prior to my purchase, people who I respect told me Smith and Wesson would be money well spent. They were right!
Sadly, my magnum and other weapons were lost sometime about the Great Migration. Or was it during that unfortunate boating accident on Roosevelt Lake? Or maybe in the Once-in-500-Years floods we experienced some years ago. I’m old, and my memory isn’t what it used to be.
The Model 19 is a fine revolver. Bill Jordan convinced S&W to come out with this model in 1955. He wanted a lighter alternative to the heavier N frames, models 27 and 28. He wanted a revolver for peace offices to carry more easily and the typically didn’t shoot them very often. S&W granted his wish and the model 19 was born from the K frame which had been chambered in .38 Special and a few smaller calibers.
I think the Model 19 began to suffer some problems when the .357 magnum loading of 125grain bullets started to get more popular than the 158grain bullets. I avoid the 125grain bullets in my model 66 (stainless version of the 19) and my model 19 with a 2-1/2″ barrel. This lead to the development of the L frame 586 and 686 size guns in the late 70s early 80s.
I put some custom grips on my S&W model 66 and 19 from Hogue and Herrett’s Stocks. Both are worth the money.
The blued or nickel plated versions are both fine revolvers suitable for any occasion.
enjoy!!
My first real gun. Bought it out of the classified ads (Remember those) with some savings and a $100 Christmas bonus I got from my minimum wage job. Blued with a 6in barrel. The guy I bought it from replaced the factory grips with some beautiful custom walnut grips. Which didn’t fit my hand very well, so I ended up putting some Pachmayer grips on it. Detracted from the overall beauty a tad.
Trigger was smooth as oiled glass. Joy to shoot. You never forget your first.
Sadly she was lost in a canoeing trip. I wept for days.
Love my 4″ blue Mod 19 I bought in the 80s.
Probably not more than a box or so of .357 Mag through it, but well over a thousand reloaded LSWC replicating my carry load (the “FBI/Chicago” Load: 158GR LSWC HP +P), as well as a few hundred of the actual load with no ill effects.
Prefer my BHP, but this is a good second
The model numbers for S&W have always befuddled me. I was under the impression that all stainless wheel guns started with the number 6 and now you are showing me a stainless Model 19.
In the late 90’s I picked a Model 65-2 that was internally pristine but had a lot of holster wear and minor scratches that was a LEO trade-in. It took a couple of hours on a buffing wheel where I erased all of the outer wear and scratches. I put a new rubber grip on it and it quickly became one of my favorite pistols. My favorite target/plinking load is a coated 145gr SWC running about 1245 fps.