Stepped Into a S&W Model 19-3 6”

[FrankB]

I walked into the LGS/range this afternoon with my wife, and they seemed to be waiting. The revolver is spectacularly preserved, and dead nuts at 25 yards! It would seem someone lightened the single action quite a bit, but it doesn’t have push off. DA is light, but it set off Norma .38 and Remington Golden Saber +P rounds. I can easily shoot it DA until I find a need for SA.

110452

Prior to cleaning out what appeared to be Vaseline
110453

Does the sear nose look mucked up?
110454

What’s this screw do?
110455

[BN]

What’s this screw do?
110455

Congratulations. :)

Maybe the screw holds the trigger stop.

[Borderland]

The 6'' 19's are lasers. I have a -6 that I purchased new. I had a neighbor who was a very good revolver shooter. We were shooting clays at about 75 yds. in a gravel pit years ago. I was able to break them about half the time. I recall he rarely missed any of them. He tried for years to trade me out of that revolver but I still have it, along with a 19-3 with a 2.5'' barrel. That one shoots exceptionally well also. The 19 and 66 are probably the best revolvers S&W ever built until they lost their minds.

[wlktheduk]

That is a trigger stop screw. The trigger stop on K frame S&W revolvers was a hardened tab, fitted into a slot at the rear of the trigger guard. It was supposed to stop over travel on target triggers. The trigger stop screw held the stop in place.

That slot was cut into K frames that were fitted with adjustable sights, and not normally found on frames for fixed sight service revolvers.

With the wrong combination of wear and tear, dirt and oil, the trigger stop could loosen, shift forward, and prevent the trigger from being pulled far enough to the rear to fire. If you were worried about this rare malfunction, you could remove the trigger stop, leaving the screw in place to plug that hole.

[JAH 3rd]

That little shim is the trigger stop. Back when I was first getting into LE (1976), S&W issued a memo suggesting that LE officers using the revolver remove that shim as a pro-active measure. As things can go wrong at the most inopportune time, it was viewed as one less thing to go wrong by its removal. That is a nice revolver you got there! If I only knew then what I know now, I'd have stocked up with the K, L, and N frame S&W revolvers. Hindsight is so 20/20. My very first revolver was a S&W model 19 2.5" barrel, blue. To this day I lust over that lost love.

[FrankB]

More Specifics:
B/C Gap is .005! ❤️
Zero Endshake
DA trigger pull: 7#
SA after adding a 15# rebound spring: 2lbs 8oz very consistently. It was 1 lb 8 Oz when I bought it, and a little scary.
I paid $675 OTD.

[Malamute]

More Specifics:
B/C Gap is .005! ❤️
Zero Endshake
DA trigger pull: 7#
SA after adding a 15# rebound spring: 2lbs 8oz very consistently. It was 1 lb 8 Oz when I bought it, and a little scary.
I paid $675 OTD.

Looks like youve got a winner.

As for the overtravel stop, its been a while since I looked at them carefully, I believe they were supposed to rotate somewhat on an eccentric pivot, then clamped in the desired position with the screw. Its fine as a target gun. I vaguely recall someone long ago mentioning that it can be rotated to its furthest extended point, filed to fit, then clamped with the screw. It can then function as intended but cant cause trouble after that.

I believe the screw is also the same as holds the front end of the rear sight in place, leaving it in even with the stop removed gives a spare on board with no downside.

The super light pull sounded like replacing the return spring was a best first step. Ive got a bunch from a gunsmith that did pistol action jobs and replaced them with something lighter from aftermarket spring sources.I guess I have some sort of personality disorder, I like procuring parts, factory standard for the most part.

[Borderland]

More Specifics:
B/C Gap is .005! ❤️
Zero Endshake
DA trigger pull: 7#
SA after adding a 15# rebound spring: 2lbs 8oz very consistently. It was 1 lb 8 Oz when I bought it, and a little scary.
I paid $675 OTD.

I bet you can't do that again.

[Duelist]

Dibs for when he decides to sell it in six months. :D

[mikey357]

More Specifics:
B/C Gap is .005! ❤️
Zero Endshake
DA trigger pull: 7#
SA after adding a 15# rebound spring: 2lbs 8oz very consistently. It was 1 lb 8 Oz when I bought it, and a little scary.
I paid $675 OTD.

CONGRATS on the GREAT pick-up & GREAT Price! At the original SA
Trigger Pull weight, I would estimate that the now-replaced Rebound Spring
was right at 11 pounds, which is fine IF you like a light SA Pull & don't
mind a sluggish Trigger Return in DA mode.
In my experience, the only way that that light a Rebound Spring gives
adequate Trigger Return in DA shooting is if someone who
REALLY knows their business has smoothed the internals, especially
the Rebound Slide and the Rebound Slide/Trigger interface...

[MDFA]

Dibs for when he decides to sell it in six months. :D

How many of us here are guilty of that?:o

My wife say's I don't buy guns, I rent them...

[Stephanie B]

Dibs for when he decides to sell it in six months. :D

Three months, max.

[FrankB]

Three months, max.

I thought my reputation was well established. 3 weeks is much more likely, and I’ve already talked Yvonne into selling her Python because of the new M19. 🤣🤣🤣

[Stephanie B]

I’ve already talked Yvonne into selling her Python because of the new M19. 🤣🤣🤣

You are a bad person, Frank. Sell the M19. The Python is a real .357. The M19 is a .38 that can shoot an occasional .357.

[FrankB]

You are a bad person, Frank. Sell the M19. The Python is a real .357. The M19 is a .38 that can shoot an occasional .357.

Yvonne doesn’t like .357, but you are correct.

[Sarvershooter]

Looks very much the same as my 19-4 (1978). Only difference noticed was possibly one more visible coil in the rebound spring, but could be the angle of the image.
110495

[Duelist]

I thought my reputation was well established. 3 weeks is much more likely, and I’ve already talked Yvonne into selling her Python because of the new M19. 🤣🤣🤣

I was giving you the benefit of the doubt on this, but now … talking your SO into selling a Python?!!

Stephanie may be right.

[FrankB]

I was giving you the benefit of the doubt on this, but now … talking your SO into selling a Python?!!

Stephanie may be right.

LOL! Yvonne’s the one who had to run over to the range today. I had to leave the range for 20 minutes on Thursday (cash deal), and she ran through 8 CZ 75 magazines, and then used her mag of hollow points. As we were walking to the car, she told me her hand was a little sore from Thursday, so she planned to watch me shoot the M19. Well, I watched her! 🤣

[RevolverJIM]

Sounds like you have a KEEPER!!

BTW, I like the M19 too:)

[4given]

Congratulations. :)

Maybe the screw holds the trigger stop.

Yes it is.

[4given]

I walked into the LGS/range this afternoon with my wife, and they seemed to be waiting. The revolver is spectacularly preserved, and dead nuts at 25 yards! It would seem someone lightened the single action quite a bit, but it doesn’t have push off. DA is light, but it set off Norma .38 and Remington Golden Saber +P rounds. I can easily shoot it DA until I find a need for SA.

110452

Prior to cleaning out what appeared to be Vaseline
110453

Does the sear nose look mucked up?
110454

What’s this screw do?
110455

Nice score! Congratulations!

[FrankB]

https://youtu.be/oAdUexOmd00?si=zSko5LqY-vpvvhM_

[FrankB]

Ok… The DA on the M19 is just around 8lbs, and the SA is still at exactly 2.5lbs. I ordered a target hammer from Numrich to try to get the SA pull a little higher, but it’s still 2.5lbs. As noted earlier, the SA was 1.5lbs when I bought, but a heavier rebound spring brought that up. There is zero slacking the SA trigger pull, and it just breaks without any perceptible motion. I looked at other forums, and some people say “That’s a man’s trigger weight”, and others say anything under under 3lbs is dangerous.

Should I order a couple of hammers from Numrich (their suggestion), or just man up? The target hammer’s sear cut is barely there, and certainly not measurable with any device I own. TIA!

ETA I ordered a new hammer as well, and installed it. The hammer was installed first, and the trigger second in an attempt to isolate the source.

[FrankB]

I forgot about my 1000x microscope!
This is with the hammer cocked in SA.
110727

[FrankB]

Brand New 686 hammer/trigger sear in SA. Its SA pull is very close to 4lbs.

110738

[Salamander]

110739

The 19-3 on top is a 6-inch nickel that I purchased new in 1977, my second handgun. It hasn't been fired a whole lot and is 100% factory original except for some red paint on the front sight. Trigger pull is about 9.5 to 10.0 lbs DA, and about 2 lb 10 oz SA.

The blued 4-inch 19-5 on the bottom is a more recent acquisition, past five or six years, and it's a well worn shooter. Trigger pull is about 9.5 lbs DA and 2 lbs 5 oz SA.

As you can tell I'm fond of Model 19's (although these days I shoot my Python a lot more). Looks like you've found a nice one.

[FrankB]

Salamander

Thanks for the data! The revolver doesn’t have push off, and it’s fired in DA 98% of the time. We took it to the range this afternoon, and it’s a hoot to shoot!

[Zeke38]

That "little screw" that's in a photo a few frames back is an internal "trigger stop". The metal tab it screws through with use will eggshape and flip over and tie the gun up. In the early 80s Smith sent out a notice to all PDs SOs and other LE to pull that screw and the stop that it holds in the frame from all duty weapons. I can vouch for their "notice" as I was carrying for a duty weapon then a 4" 19 and the action locked up on the range and it was determinded that the "internal trigger stop" was the culprit.

They were put in the target sighted weapons for bullseye shooters primarily. They stopped trigger overtravel.

[FrankB]

That "little screw" that's in a photo a few frames back is an internal "trigger stop". The metal tab it screws through with use will eggshape and flip over and tie the gun up. In the early 80s Smith sent out a notice to all PDs SOs and other LE to pull that screw and the stop that it holds in the frame from all duty weapons. I can vouch for their "notice" as I was carrying for a duty weapon then a 4" 19 and the action locked up on the range and it was determinded that the "internal trigger stop" was the culprit.

They were put in the target sighted weapons for bullseye shooters primarily. They stopped trigger overtravel.

I keep meaning to do that. Thanks!

[Zeke38]

Takes a "tiny" flat blade screwdriver and a little Kroil will help loosen the thread bond making the removal a bit easier.

[FrankB]

“PROBLEM SOLVED”

The revolver came with a ridiculously light rebound spring, and the heaviest I had was a Wolff 16lb spring. That 16lb rating still seemed very light, and I ordered an 18# OEM spring. SA is 3lbs 4oz. I’m so happy I could cry! Now I can sell it in good conscience…lol!

Zeke38 That stop screw wouldn’t budge. I never like to force anything beyond what could be its breaking point. 🤷🏼

[FrankB]

Ok… I’ve been looking for a really nice 2.5” M19 or M66. As the title implies, the 6” M19 was on the counter as I stepped in the door. It’s in the condition that I want, but not the barrel length. I could find a 2.5” barrel; sell it and get a 2.5” factory M19; or sell it and buy this: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1010675581

TIA!

[FrankB]

I went to the lgs today, and they had this 19-3 waiting. Same deal: no end shake, .006” B/C gap, shoots like a laser beam.

112319

[Stephanie B]

I went to the lgs today, and they had this 19-3 waiting. Same deal: no end shake, .006” B/C gap, shoots like a laser beam.

112319

Nice!

(Jim, start the countdown clock.)

[Malamute]

I went to the lgs today, and they had this 19-3 waiting. Same deal: no end shake, .006” B/C gap, shoots like a laser beam.

112319

Awesome. My favorite configuration.

Can we reserve a place in line?

[Oldherkpilot]

More Specifics:
B/C Gap is .005! ❤️
Zero Endshake
DA trigger pull: 7#
SA after adding a 15# rebound spring: 2lbs 8oz very consistently. It was 1 lb 8 Oz when I bought it, and a little scary.
I paid $675 OTD.

So you stole it and left a nice tip.😁

[FrankB]

Barrel Swap Opinions….

I’m not likely to carry a 6” revolver, so now I’m looking at a barrel swap. This barrel is available for $95 shipped, with a 30 day return period.

112794
112796
112797

It is nickel plated, but I can handle sanding/blasting, and re-blueing. Any opinions?

[Malamute]

Barrel Swap Opinions….

I’m not likely to carry a 6” revolver, so now I’m looking at a barrel swap. This barrel is available for $95 shipped, with a 30 day return period.

112794
112796
112797

It is nickel plated, but I can handle sanding/blasting, and re-blueing. Any opinions?

I would say wait, its only a so-so price on a significant project to be able to use. I see them in very good condition, high polish blue between $50 and $100 fairly regularly. The $50 one was actually with a cylinder and total price was $100 for the pair. $100 is a reasonable price on a very good one, not a project. Theres tons of them floating around. Ebay and Gunbroker are good places to look. Be patient if not in a real hurry and be prepared to jump instantly if its something you like. I saw a good price on a barrel I wanted once, it was the middle of the night, couldnt sleep, I decided Id definitely get it in the morning....


Or find one you like then sell the 6".

[FrankB]

Or find one you like then sell the 6".

I’ve been looking for a month, but nothing outside of this barrel, and parts kits. No luck selling the 6” revolver…

[03RN]

Try this one
https://www.ebay.com/itm/116007766821?hash=item1b029a0b25:g:M8AAAOSwnSNld8n b&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8FDiKJ2Tjpa0AyEtU0i%2B291adTw kUlgbJ9YaTJrxx66JGiHLdtrbr9qqY71rOP3m29pRk2n8u29CS XUHQaoMRf%2FTakdkJQF3brJsL3ibu9h9oGubE6BzcY3VzKUAb 6n3YbzPUpTH7gipqClKThZrT0pWaMNO%2Bsf5d36JmgPCgtRx4 uUW3EzKXlW6m8IT0DdZVoGQzwPB%2BHUAXHNVEEUig01iyyzxr Xzr06YLxTKP%2Fw1cStvye%2FlfRR3UNIjti7hOti7DrJPTArF rblnxK5V%2FWjme%2BNqWmr2c8j4BHA3ilox84vN1cihFsZdok N3ZnWrSFw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9qN5IqRYw

[Malamute]

I’ve been looking for a month, but nothing outside of this barrel, and parts kits. No luck selling the 6” revolver…


i just looked on ebay, there were 2, 2 1/2" 19 barrels, one was $140-ish, the other around $150, more than I normally care to pay, but Im cheap.

Whats your realistic budget for a decent but not collectible grade 2 1/2" 19? Theres some on gunbroker, but they look like they are a little more than Im used to seeing them for, or I should say theres not any in the price range i tend to look at right now ($6-800). Theres always higher priced ones, but again, im cheap and not their target audience.

[FrankB]

I wouldn’t mind paying $100, as long as there’s a return period. Chopping the 6” barrel down, and have an ’ESSON revolver would be interesting….lol!

ETA The pinned and recessed M19’s I’ve been watching have gone for $900-$1400. 😳

[Malamute]

I wouldn’t mind paying $100, as long as there’s a return period. Chopping the 6” barrel down, and have an ’ESSON revolver would be interesting….lol!

I hadnt seen your 6" 19 being for sale, if something isnt on the "todays posts" first page I often dont see stuff. I could be interested but Im not in a position at the moment to do anything. i have too much general life going on and other priorities.

I meant whats your realistic budget for a complete 2 1/2" gun, but yeah, thats about where id want to be for a barrel unless its something unusual or special.

[Duelist]

I’ve been looking for a month, but nothing outside of this barrel, and parts kits. No luck selling the 6” revolver…

Well, it’s Christmas right now, or I’d be more excited about you selling the 6”. My gun $ isn’t there to buy a 6” .357 right now.

[FrankB]

Well, it’s Christmas right now, or I’d be more excited about you selling the 6”. My gun $ isn’t there to buy a 6” .357 right now.

My wife was telling me to buy one of 3-4 2.5” M19’s this past weekend on Gunbroker, but I’ve bought two in the past month. She’s an enabler of the worst sort, and told me to buy the 4” and 6” M19’s at the LGS. The sad part is their combined price was more than a sweet 2.5” M19. Oh Well….

[Stephanie B]

My wife was telling me to buy one of 3-4 2.5” M19’s this past weekend on Gunbroker, but I’ve bought two in the past month. She’s an enabler of the worst sort, and told me to buy the 4” and 6” M19’s at the LGS. The sad part is their combined price was more than a sweet 2.5” M19. Oh Well….

The term you need to know, here, is "SWMBO".

[FrankB]

The term you need to know, here, is "SWMBO".

She’s SWMBO like Eve and the apple…lol!

[Stephanie B]

She’s SWMBO like Eve and the apple…lol!

Do you have any idea how many guys on this forum would give their left nut to have a wife who repeatedly said “go buy that gun“?

[Malamute]

I’ve been looking for a month, but nothing outside of this barrel, and parts kits. No luck selling the 6” revolver…


Hey look, a complete parts set with 2 1/2" barrel for $150

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225917249473?hash=item3499b7a7c1:g:M-4AAOSw2bllcpA9

[BN]

Hey look, a complete parts set with 2 1/2" barrel for $150

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225917249473?hash=item3499b7a7c1:g:M-4AAOSw2bllcpA9

I bought a parts kit like that for another gun from Gunbusters 32257 on Gunbroker. Worth a look.

[Malamute]

I bought a parts kit like that for another gun from Gunbusters 32257 on Gunbroker. Worth a look.


Thats a decent source also if youre patient, though many of the desirable S&W parts sets seem to go pretty high there. Some makes/types go for close to what a complete gun can be had for.

[lee n. field]

I bought a parts kit like that for another gun from Gunbusters 32257 on Gunbroker. Worth a look.

I do keep an eye on the gunbuster auctions (and just got a parts kit for Taurus 856, with spurless hammer). But, hard to count on finding anything in particular. Kind of like going to a gun show -- be ready to buy, or walk away without regrets.

I'm thinking if the ebay listing meets his needs, he should jump on it.

[03RN]

Do you have any idea how many guys on this forum would give their left nut to have a wife who repeatedly said “go buy that gun“?

My wife said that about my m-19. Never again though

[Duelist]

My wife said that about my m-19. Never again though

No more nuts to give?

[03RN]

No more nuts to give?

Nope :(