Smith & Wesson Model 19

Smith & Wesson Model 19
S&W Model 19-5; polished nickel, 4" barrel
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	United States
Service history
Used by	U.S. Border Patrol South Australian Police Rhode Island State Police Bundesnachrichtendienst GSG 9 U.S. Diplomatic Security Service Special Security Team Norwegian Police Service
Production history
Designer	Smith & Wesson
Manufacturer	Smith & Wesson
Produced	1957—1999
Variants	Model 66 (stainless steel)
Specifications
Cartridge	.357 Magnum
Action	Double action
Feed system	6-round cylinder
Sights	Adjustable

The S&W Model 19 is a revolver produced by Smith & Wesson on its K-frame platform. The model 19 is chambered for .357 Magnum. The K-frame is somewhat smaller and lighter than the original N-frame .357, usually known as the S&W Model 27.

History

The .357 Magnum is the oldest handgun "magnum" cartridge. Smith & Wesson played a major part in the development and success of the cartridge and revolver that went with it. Firearms writer and experimenter Philip Sharpe is credited for its development during the 1930s when police agencies were asking for a more powerful round. S&W's Dan Wesson agreed to produce a new revolver that would handle "high-intensity" .38 Special loads, but only if Winchester would develop a new cartridge. Winchester introduced the .357 Magnum, which was dimensionally identical to the .38 Special except for a .125 inch longer case, and the first revolvers (referred to as ".357 Magnum Models") were completed by S&W on April 8, 1935.

Retired Assistant Chief Patrol Inspector of the U.S. Border Patrol, famous gun fighter, and noted firearms and shooting skills writer Bill Jordan consulted with Smith & Wesson on the design and characteristics of the Model 19. Jordan's idea for a "peace officer's dream" sidearm was a heavy-barreled four-inch K-Frame .357 Magnum with a shrouded barrel like the big N-frame .357 and adjustable sights. After a year of experimentation with improved-strength steels and special heat-treat processes, the result was the .357 Combat Magnum (later designated Model 19), with the first serial-number gun (K260,000) presented to Jordan on November 15, 1955.

Styles

The Model 19 was produced in blued carbon steel or nickel-plated steel with wood or rubber combat grips, an adjustable rear sight, semi-target hammer, serrated combat-type trigger, and was available in 2.5" (3": Model 66—rare), 4", or 6-inch barrel lengths. The weights are 30.5 ounces, 36 ounces, and 39 ounces, respectively. The 2.5- and 3-inch barrel versions had a round butts, while the others had square butts.

The Model 19 was produced from 1957 (first model number stampings) to November 1999. The Model 66 was produced from 1970 until 2005. The Model 66 differed by its use of stainless steel and its smooth target-type trigger. The Model 19 and the Model 66 had the same trigger options.

Engineering changes were designated with a "dash-" number after the model number. The engineering changes are as follows:

• 19 (1957): Stamping of model number.
• 19-1 (1959): Change extractor rod, right to left-hand thread.
• 19-2 (1961): Cylinder stop changed, delete triggerguard screw.
  • (1963): Introduce 6" barrel.
  • (1963): 50 manufactured with 2.5" barrel, serial range K544672–K544721.
  • (1966): Introduce 2.5" barrel as standard.
• 19-3 (1967): Relocation of rear sight leaf screw.
  • (1968): Delete diamond-insert grip.
• 19-4 (1977): Change gas ring from yoke to cylinder. (Not really an "improvement". It did make it slightly easier to clean if there was heavy leading, but basically was a cost-cutting measure.)
• 19-5 (1982): Eliminate cylinder counterbore.
• 19-6 (????): ??

1986 S&W model 66-2 6" Barrel

• 66 (1970): Stamping of each model.
• 66-1 (1977): Changed the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder.
• 66-2 (1982): Eliminated pinned and recessed, slightly lengthened cylinder.
• 66-3 (1986): New yoke retention system/radius stud package/hammer nose bushing/floating hand.
• 66-4 (1994): Change rear sight leaf, drill and tap frame, introduce Hogue grips, change extractor.
• 66-5 (1998): Change in frame design: eliminate cylinder stop stud/eliminate serrated tangs/change to MIM hammer with floating firing pin/change internal lockwork.
• 66-6 (2002): Introduced internal lock.
• 66-7 (?): Two piece barrel and internal lock,

(2005): Discontinued.

External links

• S&W M19 under S&W M&P revolver.