S & W Model 19 - Approx. age ? ?

[Ben]

Can anyone help with the approx. age of my newly acquired S & W Model 19, 357 mag. S/N K357XXX ?

Thanks,
Ben

[Edubya]

Yeah, sure. those were made in 19XX.:kidding::kidding:
Sorry, I dunno: Couldn't pass that up.
EW

[Patrick L]

Either of the S&W Forums will have that answer quick.

www.smithandwessonforums.com

www.smith-wessonforum.com

[pincherpartner]

Is it a model 19 or 19-1? The reason I ask is because the serial number puts it in the year 1959, but the notes section said that 19-1 was brought out in 1959.

[Ben]

pincherpartner :

There is no - 1 in the model # of the pistol.
Only says Model 19.

Many thanks for your help,

Ben

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/357.jpg

[Sprue]

I concur with the above. Looks like its an early 1959 Mod

[Ben]

Many thanks Sprue.

I was 10 yrs. old when this one left Smith & Wesson.

Ben

[Sprue]

I was only five ;) How about a complete picture?

BTW you may already know but there are some possible querks with that model. If you are not aware of them let me know. I have 2.75 incher. (dash-3)

Tks

[Ben]

Sprue:

Here is your photo, look close and you can see the " diamond grips."

Ben
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/PICT0001-25.jpg

[dolang1]

Okay, you have my attention with the word "Querk". I've got a 19-4 that I've had for about a year. Anything that I need to know? Later Don

[Sprue]

Dolang1:

Just do a search on S&W Mod 19 forcing cone.

Basically they are not meant to fire todays or modern day (hotter) loads, utilizing 125 gr bullets. In summary, they're actually a 38 Spl gun that will shoot an occasional 357 mag.

So yeah, just do a Google and form your own opinion(s). As for me, I just love the M19's. We report, you decide. :-P


Very Nice Ben ! She's GOT character. Don't you wish they could talk ?


Thanks!

[dolang1]

Thanks Sprue, That little search put my mind at ease. I always shoot 38s in my 357 so it will probably outlast me. Later Don

[Sprue]

Yeah probably.

Probably even with modern days loads too, but I tend to heed the quorum.

[StarMetal]

I believe the modern day load that whacked the Mod 19 forcing cone are the hot 125 grainers. With the other more normal loadings the 19 holds up fine. To make someone believe you can only shoot a few factory 357's out of it is plain nuts.

Joe

[Ben]

Sprue:

Yes, I'd like to hear what it could say ? ?

I think mine will last a long time with my 358429 and 5.0 grs. Unique, what do you think ?

BTW, anyone know when S & W stopped the use of " Diamond Grips ", a friend asked me today and I told him that I was not certain ? ?

Ben

[Ctkelly]

Visit here for the Model 19 Forcing cone cracking article (http://www.gunblast.com/Butch_MagnumLoads.htm)

[Sprue]

Sprue:

Yes, I'd like to hear what it could say ? ?

I think mine will last a long time with my 358429 and 5.0 grs. Unique, what do you think ?

Well thats a heavy boolit, now I see why you choose to load 38's LOL. That ought to be nearing a handfull with a 170 grainers.

I shoot that same boolit style in a 150 grainer with 3.8g Unique

BTW, anyone know when S & W stopped the use of " Diamond Grips ", a friend asked me today and I told him that I was not certain ? ?

That would be 1968 sir

Ben

Merry Christmas

[Ben]

1968

Many thanks Sprue.

Ben

[Sprue]

Those grips, are they serialized to the match the gun? I don't know if they did that back then.

[Ben]

I pulled mine off when I bought it ( to double check for rust under the grips as I do with every used pistol / revolver purchase ) , I wasn't particularly looking for a s/n, but I did not see one. I'll pull them off and look again.

Ben

[MT Gianni]

Visit here for the Model 19 Forcing cone cracking article (http://www.gunblast.com/Butch_MagnumLoads.htm)

From what I see they looked at 13 guns and found 12 cracked. I have looked at that many without seeing one. I would like a larger sample in my tests but will continue to look if considering a used gun.

[GLL]

I own two and the key is just do not use the 125 grain ammo !

Both of mine get a diet of 358429 HPs over 5.0 grains of Unique as well !

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/7F74CB7C94F940C/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/D675BFCC841687F/standard.jpg