Smith 19-3 factory nickel. The action on this in my opinion beats the Python. I admit I prefer blued revolvers but this thing is gorgeous. What do you all think?

Beautiful. Now just get it smokey. VI...

I’ve always preferred the action on a S&W to the Colt, too. I guess it’s because I started out on S&W revolvers and that’s what I got used to.

That’s a beauty you have there. Congrats!

Really nice. What is the story behind the front sight. Is it painted white?

I have one just like it. A 6" 19-3 nickel. I paid around $250 used for it about 10 years ago in mint condition and I have been kicking myself ever since because there was a matching nickel snub nose with the wood target grips,hammer etc. that was matching that I could've bought for $200 at the same time. Everytime I shoot it with .158 grain .357's it puts a smile on my face! You will love it. I took my wood target grips off and put rubber pachmyers to make it a little more comfortable to shoot, but have them. It's a beautiful gun with the wood grips. Don't clean it with Hoppes #9 or other ammonia based cleaner as it will make the nickel peel.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jimmy123x,

I always liked the 19 and in 1970 I thought it was the ideal duty revolver. I agree I have 19's and a Python and think the 19's action is smoother. That is a beautiful specimen you have there. A Sacramento Sheriff's deputy I knew carried one exactly like it and I was envious.

quote:

Originally posted by yanici:
Really nice. What is the story behind the front sight. Is it painted white?

Nope, they are nickel plated too just as it came from the factory around 1975.

I picked up one similar, but it's a 19-2 or 19-3 with a 4" bbl, very nice revolvers.

Given the front sight I'd guess that the action was worked as well, which would explain why it's so smooth.

quote:

Originally posted by bripro:
Smith 19-3 factory nickel. The action on this in my opinion beats the Python. I admit I prefer blued revolvers but this thing is gorgeous. What do you all think?

Beautiful. I have a blued 4" 19-3 that's about 98% condition. I've owned it for five years and still haven't shot it yet. It was a duty weapon that wasn't shot much. I think I'm going to buy some 158 grain 38 specials and take it out this weekend. Thanks for sharing.

What a beautiful handgun.

Yep. Gorgeous, and Nickle cleans up easily. FGo out and get it blackened with powder residue. It's probably a great shooter.

Beautiful revolver. M19 is one of my all time favorites.

I have an unfired 19-3 blued 4". That nickel model 19 sure does look sharp.

Very sharp!

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
I’ve always preferred the action on a S&W to the Colt, too. I guess it’s because I started out on S&W revolvers and that’s what I got used to.

That’s a beauty you have there. Congrats!

Me too. I always felt that Colt triggers felt rough or gritty to me. Maybe it was just the ones I handled? But it was enough to dissuade me from Colts since about 1969-70.

quote:

Originally posted by SgtGold:
Given the front sight I'd guess that the action was worked as well, which would explain why it's so smooth.

Nope, that front sight is factory on the 6" barrel, it left the plant that way.

You won't find many people who were actually issued a Python, but I was. When qualification time came around I used my personal 4" M19. The single action was better on the Colt, but most of the qualification was with double action, at which the Smith excelled.

My 19-3 is a bit shorter. But I kept the Smith and sold the Python.

I never said the front sight wasn't fatory. I have a 27 with a 5" barrel, patridge front sight, and a target hammer and trigger. The action is supurb, equaling the action on my custom shop Python. The point is if the gun has a target front sight on a longer barrel, it probably had action work as well.

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Originally posted by stiab:

quote:

Originally posted by SgtGold:
Given the front sight I'd guess that the action was worked as well, which would explain why it's so smooth.

Nope, that front sight is factory on the 6" barrel, it left the plant that way.

You won't find many people who were actually issued a Python, but I was. When qualification time came around I used my personal 4" M19. The single action was better on the Colt, but most of the qualification was with double action, at which the Smith excelled.

quote:

Originally posted by SgtGold:
The point is if the gun has a target front sight on a longer barrel, it probably had action work as well.

Again, please explain why a standard sight on a standard barrel length indicates action work?