Smith & Wesson .357 Mag, Model 19-3

[ELIXIR]

Hello My fellow CalGunners!

I bought a Smith & Wesson .357 Mag Model 19-3 , blue finish, back in 2007 at a local gun show. I've always wondered whats the history of these revolvers, are they rare? hard to find? Is it a revolver to keep?
Certain info of that sort.
Surprisingly its in very good condition, keeping in mind that its a really old piece.The finish looks great, a few small scratches, doesn't change the look really. The barrel does look a bit discolored, I'm assuming its from all the firing that it has been through, the barrel gets hot and eventually changed color, just a bit.
Got a trigger job done on it, its super smooth now. A really soothing hammer click. The gun smith also did some work on the cylinder, sights, etc. I also changed the cheap rubber grips it had to some Badger Wooden Grips (black). I liked them so I bought them!
Originally bought it for $400. Its a bit hard to believe that this revolver was manufactured in 1971, for the fact that its in a great condition. But I guess You would have to decide yourselves.

[erik_26]

Are you asking for the value or telling us a story?

Value is very subjective. It is worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it.

I believe gunbroker.com is the firearm equivalent as Kelly blue book.

[shafferds]

I'd say you can get btwn 500 - 600 depending on condition. Those K frames are going up in value cause they are not made anymore.

[ELIXIR]

Just want to know what CalGunners think of this certain piece. But I also wanted to describe it a bit, and mention what has been done to it. Value, like you said is what people are willing to pay for it.

PIC will be uploaded soon.

Shafferds- Thanks , that's the type of info I want to know.

[003]

PHOBIA-357
You sure know how to hurt a guy, "keeping in mind that its a really old piece". I carried one of those as a young cop, it seems like just a few years back. A great law enforcement duty weapon. Take good care of it and it will always be there for you when needed. I still have mine, and it goes to the range once or twice a year.

If you are interested in learning a bit of history about how and why the model 19 was developed, google the name Bill Jordan, a well know, (in his day) border patrol agent. He was one of the movers that convinced S&W to put the .357 in a K frame. Prior to the model 19, all S&W .357's were in the larger N frame.

Also, if you can find a copy of his book - - "No second place winners", do yourself a favor and grab it. . A great read from an old time law enforcement officer who has seen the elephant on more that one occasion.

and...........no more "old" comments...................

[Dark Mod]

Thats definatley a keeper, its an excellent weapon with alot of law enforcement history

[BigDogatPlay]

I've had three different examples of that length of Model 19 over the years. First two were blue, both 19-3's. Current one is a 19-4 nickel. I carried Model 19's more on the job than anything else. I swear by them. Yours is definitely a keeper. Barrel pinned and chambers counter bored (like they should be still, IMO) ended when 19's went from -4 to -5, so that adds a bit of value. $450 and up is where I put them these days.

+1 on Bill Jordan's book. I have an autographed copy on my shelf. Some of his techniques and equipment are a bit dated, but the fundamentals remain the same. His imprint is on the K frame magnums, and always will be.

[ELIXIR]

I appreciate all that has been said by my fellow CalGunners. I wasn't fully aware of all the great history this piece possesses. All comments and opinions are welcome. Thank You!!

[Mickey D]

I love seeing members of our younger generation enjoying revolvers. So many are into the black autos/glocks these days.

You have a great revolver that will serve you for many years if you take care of it. Value in CA would be $400-$550 in the current condition in my opinion.

I bought a 98% 4" Model 15-3 (again... very old c.1971 -same gun as yours only in .38 spl) for $525 last week.

Enjoy, they are fun to shoot.

[Ron-Solo]

They are great guns. Keep it and you won't be sorry. I carried the stainless version, the Model 66 with a 4" barrel dote ten years before my department went to the Beretta 92f. I also have a 4" Model 15 that was my original issue in 1978 and it was used when I got it. It is still a great shooter.

[Fishslayer]

The K frame M19 was the first K frame .357 Magnum. If that's a 3" barrel you have something very desirable.

The P & R (Pinned barrel, Recessed cylinder) models went away on 80-82. The P&R models are generally more desirable & most consider them of better quality.

The K frame isn't really up to a steady diet of Big Dog magnum loads. Bill Jordan said ".38s for practice, .357s for business." This led to the L frame 586 & 686 around '80 or so. Heavier than the K but lighter than the N frame M27 & M28-2

If I'm not mistaken the proper stocks would be the no diamond Magna style or Large Targets.

Lots of real experts on the S&W forum who would lOVE to see a pic of that gun. Can't say that I would ever let that one go if I got ahold of it.

[erik_26]

Great picture. Thats a gun worth keeping and passing down some day to your kids.

[Can't buy anything here]

I love 19s....picked this up unfired 19-4 from Elliot Salter for $285 about 7 years ago. Probably one of the last guns he sold before losing his FFL. I'd still love to get my hands on a snub version...

[movie zombie]

i have a 19-3 snub i bought june, 2008.........your grips would look good on it. think i may have to change mine out!

mz

[den888]

Wonderful revolvers, congrats!