Smith & Wesson Model 19


The Smith & Wesson Model Model 19 is a revolver produced by Smith & Wesson that was introduced in 1957 on its K-frame. 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 Smith & Wesson Model 27. A stainless steel variant of the Model 19, the Smith & Wesson Model 66, was introduced in 1971.

History

The.357 Magnum is the oldest "magnum" handgun 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 Douglas 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. Elmer Keith, a well known author and wildcatter at the time, was experimenting with hand loading.38 Special ammunition beyond their original specifications, taking advantage of the newer and better designed firearm frames and metallurgy, and also played a major role in the development of the.357 Magnum. Winchester introduced the.357 Magnum, which was dimensionally identical to the.38 Special except for a.125 inch longer case, and the first revolvers were completed by S&W on April 8, 1935.
Retired Assistant Chief Patrol Inspector of the U.S. Border Patrol, famous gunfighter, 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-treating processes, the result was the.357 Combat Magnum, with the first serial-number gun presented to Jordan on November 15, 1955.
The.357 Magnum, four-inch barreled model was standard issue to uniformed officers of the former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service as well as Patrol Agents of the U.S. Border Patrol until both agencies adopted.40 caliber semi-automatic pistols.

Styles

The Model 19 was produced in blued carbon steel or nickel-plated steel with wood or rubber combat grips, an adjustable rear sight, full-target or semi-target hammer, serrated wide target trigger or 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, respectively. The 2.5- and 3-inch barrel versions had round butts, while the others had square butts.
The Model 19 was produced from 1957 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 68 was a limited-production version of the Model 66 made for the California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles Police Department chambered in.38 Special with a 6" barrel. The Model 19 and the Model 66 had the same trigger options. One of the last variations of the Model 19 ordered for police use was the 2.5" Model 19-5, special ordered under SKU #100701 as the standard issue sidearm for Special Agents of the US Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service. This model featured a.400" wide, smooth "combat" trigger, Pachmayr Professional Compac rubber grips, and most notably a matte black finish instead of the common high-polished blue.
Engineering changes were designated with a "dash-" number after the model number. The engineering changes are as follows:

Model 19 Variants

ModelYearModifications
191957Introduction
19-11959Change extractor rod, right to left-hand thread
19-21961Cylinder stop changed, deleted trigger guard screw
19-21963Introduce 6" barrel
19-2196350 manufactured with 2.5" barrel, serial range K544672–K544721
19-21966Introduce 2.5" barrel as standard
19-31967Relocation of rear sight leaf screw
19-31968Delete diamond-insert grip
19-41977Change gas ring from yoke to cylinder
19-51982Eliminate cylinder counter bore and pinned barrel; small change in cylinder length to 1.62"
19-61988New yoke retention system; radius stud package; floating hand; hammer nose bushing.
19-61992Blue finish only is cataloged
19-71994Add Uncle Mike's Combat synthetic grips; drill and tap frame; change extractor; change rear sight leaf
19-71995Delete square butt
19-71996Discontinue 6" barrel production; begin shipments in blue foam-filled plastic cases
19-71997Change to MIM thumbpiece and trigger, ship with trigger locks
19-81998Change frame design, eliminate cylinder stop stud, serrated tangs
19-81998Add internal lock, add MIM hammer w/ floating firing pin
19-81999Discontinue 2.5” barrel
19-92018Reintroduced with 4.25” barrel and Performance Center Carry Comp with 3” barrel

Model 66

ModelYearModifications
661971Stamping of each model.
66-11977Changed the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder.
66-21982Eliminated pinned and recessed, slightly lengthened cylinder.
66-31986New yoke retention system/radius stud package/hammer nose bushing/floating hand.
66-41994Change rear sight leaf, drill and tap frame, introduce Uncle Mike's grips, change extractor.
66-51998Change in frame design: eliminate cylinder stop stud/eliminate serrated tangs/change to MIM hammer with floating firing pin/change internal lockwork.
66-62002Introduced internal lock.
66-7?Two piece barrel and internal lock.
—2005Discontinued.
66-82014Reintroduced with 4.25" barrel; 2.75" barrel offering added in 2017.

Model 68

Criminal use

In 1966, one of the firearms that Charles Whitman brought to the University of Texas tower shooting was a Model 19.
Friedrich Leibacher had a Model 19 during the Zug massacre of 2001.
Two Model 19s, along with two Browning Hi-Power pistols, were used in the 1996 Dunblane massacre. This led to the enactment of Firearms Act 1997 and Firearms Act 1997, effectively banning handguns in the UK.