Finally fulfilled my childhood dream of becoming a cowboy. However, at 25 yards, there is only a couple 10ths of an inch difference in trajectory, at most. If there was ever a perfect revolver it was the S&W model 19. But the K frames are just a little easier to carry all day long, in and out of vehicles and in plain clothes. This is essentially a re-creation of the Model 48 K-22 MRF with a four or six inch barrel (sans under-lug). But for serious business, lots of times we wished for something a little stouter. And if I run out of 9mm ill stash my cleaned glocks and use my mid 80s model 15 Smith with 158 lswchp fbi loads. If the Hillary hole shows, my wallet stays closed. Im equally not much of a fan of 9 mm carbines since they dont generate much more energy than a 5 pis tol. The reason I switched to the S&W revolver is accuracy. The new Model 19 Classic utilizes Smith & Wesson's keyed locking system. Its hard to describe just how well and intuitively the Model 19handles. Although there new revolvers with the Hillary are not for me having a new 686 lock fail right out of the box! The single-action trigger pull averaged 4.0 pounds, 12.0 ounces with my RCBS trigger-pull scale, and the double-action pull was 13.0 pounds. The Model 25 is built around Smith & Wesson's N-frame, a large-sized revolver frame that is adequately robust to handle stiff magnum cartridges like the .357 Magnum or even the very powerful .44 Magnum. The best thing to be done is make the cylinder gap as tight as possible, so as to limit how much heated gas can escape the gap. The new S&W has two simple, but fatal, flaws. Regardless what I shoot, the best I can do is to stay inside the 5 bullseye of a B-16 target at 25 yards. I happen to think that a 5-inch barrel on a revolver might just be the perfect barrel length. I t will be liked by many but most new owners will not know what is to shoot the original for comparison. The six-inch K-framed 19 weighs six ounces less. [emailprotected] [emailprotected] from 6 barrel ouch!! INTHE LATER PERIOD OF MY 40+ YEAR CAREER I CARRIED SEMI AUTOES, BUT NOTHING IS GREATER THAN MY WHEEL GUNS. However, there are differences. The info pages further adds that, "The Smith & Wesson Classics series of revolvers have been enhanced with modern internal components, but mimic the look and feel of classic models. As I get older, their looks grow on me with each passing year. Zero issues with a variety of rounds and a lot of magnum caliber shooting. Aside from that blunder, Id also wager that he did better at home economics than physics in high school. Eventually I ponied up the cash for a bull barreled PPC revolver to shoot the 1500 matches, but for a few years that Model 19 was the only arrow in my PPC quiver. . Side Refine Panel. I also practice shooting on the move, simulating moving to a position of cover. I felt well armed with either. My plan was to cut this revolver neophyte some slack until I got to this part: My slow times were simply due to the triggers cycle time. Not only will these shoot sub 1.5 @25 yd they will shoot sub 2 @ 50 yds. BUT! I got my 19 357 2 barrel red insert white outline target trigger and hammer 1.5 lb pull needless to say it was custom back in 1986 for $400 and I still have it only shot about 50 times I will be getting another. THIS video is a follow-up from our fist video with this revolver. (Ill take whatever excuses I can get.) Joseph Von Benedikt visits with Aaron Oelger from Hodgdon about the unprecedented demand on the shooting supply industry. The trigger on our test pistol was surprisingly smooth and the single action broke cleanly at 4 lbs. Over the years the blued K-Frame Model 19 has been offered with 2.5-, 4.0-, and 6.0-inch barrels. No flame cutting, erosion or apparent weakening of the frame. Did you clean it before shooting? First time I took it to the range, it malfuctioned after maybe 30 magnum rounds. For that kind of shooting, I like to begin by working on making a smooth draw from the holster and putting two shots on target at a distance ranging from about five yards to seven yards. You put a bullet in it and it goes bang. Conclusion: Model 19 Review. The old Smith revolvers are definitely cool, and polished internals make them even more so. I qualify with my 2 model 19 at 50 yards and have much tighter groups than that 66 at 25 yards. Yep, Ill take the 1st shot at 25 yds, but if the beast keeps charging, Ive got 5 more that I can get off in the next few seconds. Just picked one up last week. The only change was to substitute grips that better fit my small hand. The old 19 is still more elegant, the new model must be taken for what it is, an unfaithful copy and a different revolver. God help the goblin that stops one. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. I started with .38 Special, moved to .38 Special +p, and ended up shooting regular magnum loads. Style * * * * Second department we used .357 that were 125gr. They are worth a look and comparison no matter what the reason. Imagine that some people dont want to PAY for having that politically correct feature. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. Still, I normally practice with 38 spl, but often run a cylinder (or 2) of 357 just to keep me honest. Those patrol car steering wheels can play havoc with the rear sites on a right handed shooter carrying the revolver on his/her right hip. Beautiful pistol better than a colt python 357 but not as nice as the colt diamond back 38+p which I used as my service weapon , colt python had wheel alignment problems and the new ones have the same problem showing up. Not only is stainless steel more rust resistant than blued steel, the chromium content is greater and greatly reduces the amount of gas leeching, thus reducing the wear caused by flame and gas cutting. Reliability * * * * * In the meantime, give the Model 19 Classic a look. Failure to Fire: Many users of Smith & Wesson 22A have an issue with light primer strikes or failure to fire. Up until this time, Magnum had been reserved for the larger N-frame Smiths. Drop in the parts and send it out the door. As far as accuracy, the Model 19 shot well. Im a revolver nut! .357 loads are not full pressure .357 loads and the Buffalo Bore, Double Tap, etc. Im getting a Ruger or a Colt. Glad to see S&W had the same idea! The Model 19 has something of a checkered past for reliability, one thats likely due more to rumor than actual experience. But I felt like the Smith & Wesson Model 19 could do better. The Classic also looks bigger in overall size so why would it be more delicate?, if so, it is a waste of money. If you love to wear polyester fabric jackets? Guns were offered with either a square butt or a round butt, depending on barrel length. (Unfortunately, I didnt have any speed loaders.) To call the Model 19 a classic .357 Magnum revolver is a bit of an understatement. So Im always hopeful that discussion of a new S-W model might delete the lock, but 99 times out of 100 I am disappointed. It is narrower with beveled edges and a polished smooth trigger face, and. Please log in again. Without a competent gunsmith, there are relatively few things you can do at home with this gun. Still, it took some getting used to. Yet still they have less that great SA triggers. With only 60 rounds? It's based on the N frame, larger and now with an eight-round cylinder instead of the six of the 19 and earlier N frames. The revolver dons a highly polished, blued finish and traditional thumbpiece . Lighter and tougher and more precise than ever, it's the perfect back country hunting rifle. I would expect that anyone with even a fundamental grasp on English would not have read my sentence on the cycle of the 29s cylinder as the notion that once the trigger is touched, the cylinder just spins on while firing, as you apparently have. I am surprised with precision standards as high as you seem to have you did not bother to try the ammo that bullseye comp shooters use to leg out in Distinguish Revolver division that requires ub 2 groups @ 50 yards.. I recently switched from carrying a 9mm Colt LW 1911 Commander to a 4 Smith & Wesson Model 19-4 .357 Magnum in a Galco Combat Master holster on a quality, heavy 1/2 leather belt. The little K frames are just about perfect for Law Enforcement use. The same energy that started that big cylinder moving, continues to make it move. Most new gun owners will think this Classic is the best looking 357 magnum revolver. 244.99 . Wide, thick, and with a great shelf for the thumb, the standard wood grips look good and provide excellent control of the gun. Price Used: $800-$900 as reviewed, available online. The new Combat Magnum was initially offered with a 4 barrel. But it would take many, many thousands of rounds of the lighter stuff to destroy that 19 so I wouldnt bother with .38s myself. We were later issued the stainless M-66 and were happy to move up to the vaunted .357 magnum. WOW! A little force is sometimes required, before it will "snap" open. If the lock is intended to keep children from firing the gun, this may lead to irresponsible leaving the locked gun out. MIM parts I can deal with, Im a gunsmith by trade and know how to smooth the trigger up so that MIM parts are unnoticeable. Ruger Lcp . Ill try that and look for a burr. Two-handed and in single action, this gun is giggly-fun easy to shoot. Fortunately, in 2018, Smith & Wesson reintroduced the Model 19 in their Classic line. Transitioning from one target to the next is fast; the 39oz revolver moves remarkably well for a .357 Magnum. Smith & Wesson discontinued the production of the Model 19 in 1999 and the Model 66 in 2005. The Model 19 Classic revolver features a handsome set of walnut grips, a 4.25 barrel, a black adjustable rear sight, and red ramp front sight. Replace the spring of the magazine. S&Ws revolver line has been cheapened up so much they are only a shadow thats why I dont bother with home brew re-loads. What I cant decide is whether the Model 19 is $300 better than the Ruger. My first one we carried it with the old FBI load of Winchester 158 gr. People who load their own should be aware that the worries about the flame-cut of the topstrap is only one issue with stout loads. Rather than shoot .38 special, I would rather shoot .357 loaded down to .38 velocities. I have a Model 66 no dash 4 made in the early 70s. But you have to know how to bullseye shoot and or be off a rest or full ransom. I freely admit that this is where I am weakest, especially when I shoot while walking backwards. Chris Whisler writes . There are a few current or recent production models here and there that have no lock (I believe a 686 is among them). He didnt have time to shoot the new revolver before the performance, so he didnt use it; however, he did show it to the world of TV viewers, saying it was the answer to a peace officers dream. The gun went on to become a very successful design, extremely popular with law enforcement officers as well as with sportsmen. The most accurate .357 Magnum load was the Winchester 125-grain Defender ammo. That gun had much better balance and was far superior to the GPs. Thanks Grandma its the best Christmas gift ever! With the 158gr Double Taps I carry Im getting ~600ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle which is about 50% more than +p 9mm and higher yet downrange. Either two-handed or one-handed, double action or single action, this gun shot very well. As I look back on it now, that was a foolish thing to do. Call Smith. Thats what new gun owners want. Get the top Shooting Times stories delivered right to your inbox. With the right load a .30-30 can take deer out to 300 yards. As for the .357 Magnum itself, the Model 19 is, in my mind, outclassed by the Model 66, its stainless steel twin. But when I started shooting PPC in 1974, it was instantly obvious that, trying to do it on the cheap, a Model 10 simply wasnt going to work. Its part of S&Ws Classics line. I really enjoyed this review and appreciate such a classic. Smith & Wesson Model 19 Classic 4.25" DA/SA K/L-Frame Revolver Chambered in 357 Magnum . Thats a pretty substantial improvement in stopping power. 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