Model 19 snub

[darkroomdan]

Was going to do one of those "Did I get a good deal?" kind of threads, but heck, I am pleased so that's what counts, right?
Stopped by the little pawn shop that I've found some goodies before and saw a 2 and 1/2 Model 19-3 with Pachmayr grips. It is in good mechanical condition, cylinder locks up tight and the single and double action trigger pull are both nice. Bore seems to be very good. Condition of the blueing is about 6o or 70 percent - looks like it got damp and had a little rust that was cleaned off. The guy had $300 on the tag, I offered $250 and he said OK. After I got it home and played with it - tried a couple of different grips, holsters, etc, and I really like it - I have been looking for a snubby in a model 66 or 19 for a while - now I just need to make it to the range to try it out - way cool to have adjustable sights on a snub! My Model 10 snub now has a bigger bother...
DRD

[Bigeasy]

I'd say a very good deal.  Back in the late 80's there was a glut of d/a revolvers on the market as most police dept.'s were trading them in for the new fangled high cap 9mm's.  That "glut" has pretty much dried up, and quality d/a's bring high prices now.  Have you priced a new S&W revolver?  As long as the finish wear does not bother you, you are good to go.  A lot of these duty / off duty revolvers show holster wear, but were not shot very often, and so are in excellent mechanical condition.

Larry

[darkroomdan]

Yup, the "glut" is over - I still see an occasional Model 10 or 64 for OK prices - $250 or so depending on condition, but every 19 or 66 I've seen has been more than $500 even with quite a bit of wear. This one has holster wear on the usual places, the side of the muzzle and edge of the cylinder, but also has some patches where water or something ruined the blue. At this point and for that price it doesn't bother me, but maybe at some point I could have it re-blued. I don't know of any local places that does blueing - does Smith and Wesson do refurbishing?
Thanks,
DRD

[Slowpoke Slim]

That's a good price compared to what I've seen around here for 19's. I've been looking for a really nice -3 in either 4" or 6" to replace the one I foolishly traded away years ago. The "best" I've seen was over $500 and it wasn't in real good shape. You could always send yours off to S&W to be refinished, as they still offer that service.

[mcwoodduck]

The model 19 is one of the all time top 10 handguns.
I think you got a great deal,
A little jealous as I can not find one.
espacally at $250.00

[darkroomdan]

Well, I am kind of shocked myself - whenever I have run across a good deal before I would always be short on funding and by the time I gathered some up the deal would be gone. Just really lucked out this time.
I had an old pair of Pachmayr compact grips that I used to have on a 4" Model 64 - on it the balance was off. On this 2 1/2" snub the compact grips work perfectly, feels and balances great! The big Pachmayrs that came on it were a bit clunky.
If I can figure out how, I will post a photo at some point...
Thanks for the replies,
Dan

[darkroomdan]

I read the instructions again in "help" - we'll see if this works...
If it does, here is a photo.
Thanks,
Dan

[drdougrx]

Man...there's nothing like a 4" 19.......heaven!