Smith & Wesson Model 19
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The S&W Model 19 is a revolver produced by Smith & Wesson with a 2.5 inch round butt, 4 inch square butt, or 6 inch square butt 'K' framed revolver, chambered in .357 Magnum. The K-frame is considerably smaller and lighter than the original N-frame .357, usually known as the S&W Model 27.
[edit] 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 Major D.B. 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.
The classic Model 19 is one of the original S&W .357s, and a favorite of many experienced professionals like Border Patrolman and noted writer Bill Jordan.
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.
[edit] Styles
The M19 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, 4, or 6 inch barrel lengths. The weights are 30.5 ounces, 36 ounces, and 39 ounces accordingly. When Smith and Wesson ceased production of the Model 19, it was replaced by the Model 66 (right side image). [The Model 19 was produced from 1957 (first model number stampings) to Nov. 1999. The Model 66, a stainless steel framed version of the blued model 19, 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 you had heavy leading, but basically was a cost-cutting measure.)
19-5 - 1982: Eliminate cylinder counterbore.
[edit] Service history
- It is the standard sidearm for the South Australia Police.
- Was adopted by the Rhode Island State Police in 1976.
- Used by Japan's Special Security Team for a short time before adopting the Sig Sauer P228.
- Used by the counter-terrorism unit GSG 9 of the German Federal Police
- Used by the German Federal Intelligence Service. Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND)
- It is still used by U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Domestic Operations group.
