S&W 19-3 at the Range

Shakyshoot · 02-07-2017, 12:59 PM

I got my Smith and Wesson 19-3 .357 after the DOJ deigned to release the delay. Took it straight to the range, ran a mop down it a few times and shot 122 rounds. Very nice shooter, although I didn't do much beyond 10 yards today. The condition is really a little better than I remember it being. Some noticeable wear, but it seems very mechanically sound and functions very smoothly. I really think it's more of a $ 500-$ 550 gun than the $ 399 I paid.

The first 20 rounds were the challenge from the S&W board, double action at 3,5,7, and 10 yards. I missed low with one of the 10 yarders.

Then I tried some slow fire single action. The best I did was this 10yd 7/8" group.

Then I did the 20 rd challenge again with some Blazer 357 ammo. This gun gives you some smack with .357, even though Blazer is on the mild side. Just missed left with a couple.

All in all I shot 50 rd of Magtech .38, 36 rd of PPU .38, and 38 rd of Blazer .357. First time shooting those PPU's, and I won't be in a hurry to buy more. Even at 10 yards, they were all over the place, and I had one the sounded like a 'near squib" that went low in the white. I was switching back and forth between .38's and .357's, but everything loaded and ejected smoothly.

Very happy with the gun for the first time out. Not so impressed that I'd say "I'm never buying a Ruger again" but I'll definitely buy more S&W's. Next I need a 44 mag. Then maybe a 6" N frame .357. Then maybe a snubbie.

north country gal · 02-07-2017, 01:25 PM

As I said, originally, for a 19-3, that was a great buy. I would have grabbed it, too.

And those are the kinds of results I would expect, too. Only 10 yards, true, but some very impressive groups for that distance. Nice shooting.

As for more Smiths in your future, I've gotten excellent accuracy with new production Smiths. I do think that modern CNC machining contributes, here. That said, as much as struggle to criticize the new Smith revolvers, they just aren't the same as the vintage, pre-lock Smiths for me. Hard to explain, but the vintage stuff is different. Another factor in favor of the vintage S&Ws like your 19-3 is that they will NEVER decrease in value and, in fact, are steadily appreciating in value. Guess others feel the same way about them.

These days, I've pretty much gone home to my roots with single action revolvers and plan to stay there for awhile. Just got too spread out with other types of guns. I will stray, though, for a vintage Smith, now and then.

gunjunkie · 02-07-2017, 01:45 PM

Congratulations!
That's some good shootin.

RidgeRunner · 02-07-2017, 02:58 PM

Good shootin' and a good buy. Congratulations Shaky.

44s Rock · 02-08-2017, 06:39 AM

great shooting! Looks like a keeper!!

Terry_P · 02-08-2017, 06:59 AM

Probably 15-20 years ago I looked at a Mdl 19 and the shop wanted $200 and I passed. It wasn't in nearly as good of shape as that one and it was a little too loose for my tastes. Looks like you got a fine deal on a good shooting handgun that has been well cared for. A perfect find. Congrats.

Machinist · 02-08-2017, 10:40 AM

It's particularly nice as it is an older one with pinned barrel and counterbored chambers. I think these were the best. The changes from this did not really effect the utility of the guns but it seemed to mark a period of cost cutting that did. I saw too many defective guns from this period. My NP Mod 19 is an older one like yours and I treasure it. Well done.

02-07-2017, 12:59 PM	#1
Shakyshoot Senior Member Joined: Jun 2015 From: High Desert of South Arizona Posts: 863	S&W 19-3 at the Range I got my Smith and Wesson 19-3 .357 after the DOJ deigned to release the delay. Took it straight to the range, ran a mop down it a few times and shot 122 rounds. Very nice shooter, although I didn't do much beyond 10 yards today. The condition is really a little better than I remember it being. Some noticeable wear, but it seems very mechanically sound and functions very smoothly. I really think it's more of a $ 500-$ 550 gun than the $ 399 I paid. The first 20 rounds were the challenge from the S&W board, double action at 3,5,7, and 10 yards. I missed low with one of the 10 yarders. Then I tried some slow fire single action. The best I did was this 10yd 7/8" group. Then I did the 20 rd challenge again with some Blazer 357 ammo. This gun gives you some smack with .357, even though Blazer is on the mild side. Just missed left with a couple. All in all I shot 50 rd of Magtech .38, 36 rd of PPU .38, and 38 rd of Blazer .357. First time shooting those PPU's, and I won't be in a hurry to buy more. Even at 10 yards, they were all over the place, and I had one the sounded like a 'near squib" that went low in the white. I was switching back and forth between .38's and .357's, but everything loaded and ejected smoothly. Very happy with the gun for the first time out. Not so impressed that I'd say "I'm never buying a Ruger again" but I'll definitely buy more S&W's. Next I need a 44 mag. Then maybe a 6" N frame .357. Then maybe a snubbie.

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02-07-2017, 01:25 PM	#2
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 5,997	As I said, originally, for a 19-3, that was a great buy. I would have grabbed it, too. And those are the kinds of results I would expect, too. Only 10 yards, true, but some very impressive groups for that distance. Nice shooting. As for more Smiths in your future, I've gotten excellent accuracy with new production Smiths. I do think that modern CNC machining contributes, here. That said, as much as struggle to criticize the new Smith revolvers, they just aren't the same as the vintage, pre-lock Smiths for me. Hard to explain, but the vintage stuff is different. Another factor in favor of the vintage S&Ws like your 19-3 is that they will NEVER decrease in value and, in fact, are steadily appreciating in value. Guess others feel the same way about them. These days, I've pretty much gone home to my roots with single action revolvers and plan to stay there for awhile. Just got too spread out with other types of guns. I will stray, though, for a vintage Smith, now and then.

02-07-2017, 01:45 PM	#3
gunjunkie Senior Member Joined: Jan 2014 From: Texas Panhandle. Posts: 3,787	Congratulations! That's some good shootin.

02-07-2017, 02:58 PM	#4
RidgeRunner Senior Member Joined: Nov 2015 From: Buck Ridge, Georgia Posts: 3,355	Good shootin' and a good buy. Congratulations Shaky.

02-08-2017, 06:39 AM	#5
44s Rock Senior Member Joined: Jan 2009 From: Far Western WA. Posts: 10,824	great shooting! Looks like a keeper!!

02-08-2017, 06:59 AM	#6
Terry_P Super Moderator Joined: Apr 2008 From: Where it's warm Posts: 10,356	Probably 15-20 years ago I looked at a Mdl 19 and the shop wanted $200 and I passed. It wasn't in nearly as good of shape as that one and it was a little too loose for my tastes. Looks like you got a fine deal on a good shooting handgun that has been well cared for. A perfect find. Congrats.

02-08-2017, 10:40 AM	#7
Machinist Senior Member Joined: Feb 2009 From: McKinney, TX Posts: 8,994	It's particularly nice as it is an older one with pinned barrel and counterbored chambers. I think these were the best. The changes from this did not really effect the utility of the guns but it seemed to mark a period of cost cutting that did. I saw too many defective guns from this period. My NP Mod 19 is an older one like yours and I treasure it. Well done.

S&W 19-3 at the Range

s&w 19-3