Review: S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum

In 1955 S&W introduced what would become one of the most widely used and recognized law enforcement sidearms ever made: The 357 Combat Magnum. When model numbers were assigned to the various models in 1957, this became the Model 19.

The 357 Combat Magnum was created in response to requests from law enforcement departments who wanted a 375 that was lighter and easier to carry than the big N-Frame 357s, the Model 27 and Model 28. Bill Jordan was instrumental in getting S&W to made the necessary engineering changes needed to safely chamber the 357 in the smaller K-Frame. The frame was beefed up slightly in the yoke area and the heat treatment was increased. The result was what many consider the best all around police service revolver ever made. Anyone who has handled and shot a Model 19 quickly comes to appreciate its superb balance and pointability.

Even though S&W made some minor changes to the K-Frame to be able to create the Model 19, it soon became clear that this gun could not handle a steady diet of hot 357 loads. In 1980 S&W introduced the L-Frame which was slightly larger than the K-Frame but still smaller and lighter than the big N-Frame. Beefed up in all the right places, the L-Frame had no trouble handling full-house 357 loads and the Model 581/586 and 681/686 soon took the place of the venerable Model 19 as the revolver of choice for law enforcement. But by the end of 90s, the automatic had almost completely eclipsed the revolver as the standard sidearm for police use.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• S&W
• Model
• 19
• Combat
• Magnum
• 586
• 686
• 357
• 38
• Special
• revolver

[1boatsailor]

Great info...I just bought a model 681 ...4" and there is no "M" stamp for the recall for cylinder binding or nose hammer replacement. Would it be worth sending back to have that mod done? I heard they will honor the recall even if your not the original owner. The gun looks to be in almost excellent condition except for the grips which im going to change

[Gary7even]

@1boatsailor I would probably send it back for the mod just to be on the safe side.

[jpenna1976]

How much is "steady diet" and does it refer only to hottest .357 loads or also stardard sport grade 158grs factory loads?

Reason I am asking is, I found nice m19 4" and really like to buy it. It would be for occasional recreational shooting. Amount of .357 I would ever fire would be counted in hundreds, not thousands. Other choice is new Ruger GP100, but I sure like S&W more.

[Gary7even]

@jpenna1976 I personally think any modern 357 factory load is too hot to shoot in a Model 19, even in the hundreds. There are better choices if you really want or need a revolver to shoot 357s on a regular basis. Depending on the age of the Model 19 you're looking to buy, make sure you check the gun good for signs of wear because the previous owner may have fed it a steady diet of hot 357 loads.

[hardman476]

have yuoi shot the taurus 'versions' ie the m66?

[chillichomper]

The full length underlug makes it look alot less attractive. Is it really necessary to be full length?

[eric21881]

look forward to putting some .38 spc and .357 magnum andmaybe .38 spc+p through my model 19-8 in 2 weeks or so

[isamtator]

looks like my model 66

[sunaJH]

Thanks for some great info on a wonderful revolver!

[jpenna1976]

@TheBassGuitarist1 Thank. Revolver second hand market is starting to seem poor in Finland. IDPA is taking first steps here and people are buying revolvers with 2½-4" barrels like crazy.

[TheBassGuitarist1]

@jpenna1976 oops i only read your first post on the video i hoped i helped a bit sir

[TheBassGuitarist1]

@jpenna1976 if you like smith and wessons i would get an L frame 686 with a 4 inch barrel because the 19 is built on a weaker k frame a 686 would hold up better than the 19 for hot loads L frame is stronger

[1boatsailor]

@Gary7even Thanks gary.....I called S&W the other day. They told me to send it and that they would cover the mod. He also said they would send me a shipping label and cover shipping both ways. Now Im glad I bought a Smith& Wesson