Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Old model 19 and holster

Ok, an old model 19 357mag and an old Idaho Leather Co for carry. Would you use this old junker?

For sex?

Outside.

Those things have gotten pretty collectible, but if it were my gun, I'd use it.

Send it to me and I'll send back proof of use pictures.

Why not

Yep, it's a junker not a collectable.

Every day that I can….

Nice, I have a few of those old basketweave holsters, picked up a late 80s buckmark that had one with the browning tag still on the holster.

The pinned and recessed Model 19 is a classic. What's its story?

My first was a 4in when I was in college, sold it when I needed some money between jobs. Picked a nickel 4in at an auction, after some proshot cloths got it looking brand new and made a couple hundred on it. Then I was without a 19 again, lgs had a 6in with presentation grips show up. I still have it.

Only older ones with no signs of use with original box and papers. This one shows signs of use and has value of about $600.

I use mine often ...

This^

Collectors of this type of firearm want NIB or close to mint as possible with all papers. The words "collector's item" is widely misunderstood

My first revolver was a S&W 19, #4K375xx, 4" TH/TT that I got new from Norm's Gun Shop in White River Junction, VT, in 1971 or 72. I shot a lot of .38 Specials with it, but probably only a couple hundred round of .357 MAG, as the conventional wisdom back then was that a K-frame .357 MAG was a carry lots, shoot little, revolver. I still have a couple of boxes of Super Vel 158 grain JHPs that I got at the same time I got the M19. Mine has a fair bit of holster wear on the barrel and cylinder from riding in a leather Hunter holster. Once the M66 came out, I bought one and put the M19 on a shelf, where it has remained unfired for most of the last 40 years.

If I bought it, it would be to shoot.
I bought mine, a 4” version, in’78 or ‘79 for $225 retail and still have it and shoot it. My favorite load is with 2400 and a home cast Lyman 358156 HP. In my gun 10 grs of 2400 gives right at 1000 fps, 11 grs gives 1100 fps and 12 grs 1200 fps.

There are collectors at all levels. Many firearms that have collector value may also be shot with little or no reduction in their collector value, such as the example in the starting post. Were it new, in the box, unfired, shooting it would drop its value as a collector's item substantially, but only because of the very high value collectors place in new, in the box, unfired, firearms.

For this particular model 🧓 want short barrels 2,5 inch or 3 inch. These bring in more💵 even with signs of use and no box or papers. Snub K-frames do not linger in used gun cases at gun stores even heavy .38s with steel frames.

Can’t decide if I like the holster or the 19 more.

Great combo.

Here's the background. Early this year I picked it up from a local shop in a little mining town. It has kinda normal wear but the worst of it is on the bottom of the triggerguard. It came with ugly rubber pachmyer grips but the action is just superb.

Back in another room the guy had junk boxes of magazines and grips, holsters and other junk. He asked if I'd like some s&w wood grips and he gave them to me. The holster he charged me $5 for it.

Fast forward and in between that time I picked up an cool little Ruger SP101 and an old Security Six 2 3/4" barrel and I've been packing and shooting them. The model 19 has been just sitting and hasn't even been packed or on an outing. I like the SP101 and have been slaying grouse with it but I've it's probably time to get the old 19 out and put some more wear on it.