Old Fogey alert: Traded two autos for a wheelgun

[Marko Kloos]

Am I getting old, or what?

My handgun collection gradually turned over in recent months, and now all the handguns I seem to own are of the SA, cocked-and-locked variant , or striker-fired pistols.

On Friday, I took a half day at work and ventured out to the gun store with my roomie in search for a wheelgun. I traded both my HS2000 and the Star Firestar (both of which had been bested by the Browning HP for CCW duty) for a fine revolver in excellent shape.

It's a *&* Model, with immaculate deep-blue finish and a 4" barrel. Thanks to my roomie's hard-nosed negotiation skills, they threw in a Bianchi leather holster, a Hogue Pau Ferro monogrip and a 50-round box of Speer Gold Dots.

This Model 19 is of a sufficient vintage to sport the case-hardened hammer and trigger, and it's a round butt to boot.

I slapped the Pau Ferro grip on it, and now it's a real looker. The trigger pull is sweet, almost as nice as my roomie's 625-4, and the whole gun balances and points very nicely. I've been carrying it for the last two days, and I fear I might be turning into an old, crusty curmudgeon.

Here's a picture:

http://www.beigerocket.com/images/sw19small.jpg

[loknload]

Having the ache for a revolver is by no means a showing of old age :eek: I just had the ache two weeks ago and bought a
S&W 686..357, What a great piece. I didn't part with any of my collection though.
After shooting nothing but auto loaders for a while sometimes you just have to go back and shoot a good old wheel gun ;)
Congrats on the new purchase, Hope it serves you well ;)

[Edited by loknload on 03-24-2001 at 09:40 PM]

[RWK]

leadringer,

Good on ya. I respectfully suggest that superior decision making -- as demonstrated by your Model 19 acquisition -- is more a function of wise judgements than old age. ;) ;)

[Canine]

That was a good trade. You got rid of two so-so auto-loaders for a good revolver.

[Mike Irwin]

Hey Lens,

If liking revolvers means that you're old, I got old at the tender age of 22 when I bought my first one.

[J. Parker]

Hey Lend, I'm headed that way myself. Semi-auto's..who needs 'em!:) Got a couple semi's, now it's back to the six gun, lever-action arena. Good Luck, J. Parker

[KilgorII]

I just traded my Keltec P32 in on my first real wheelgun a S&W Model 13 (I also have a Single Six, but It's just a fun plinker). I'm just 21 :D

That is a very nice looking gun and it sounds like you got a good deal. Does your roomie hire out? :D

[Marko Kloos]

You could probably persuade her to help you with your next purchase, but you may end up buying more guns than intended. She's quite persistent. Also, she takes payment in WWI and WWII bolt-action rifles, or funky knives, or pretty much anything that goes *bang*. :)

[KilgorII]

Are you pookie?

[Marko Kloos]

Nope, I'm not "pookie". Pookie don't post here. I'm "roomie". :)

[KilgorII]

Ahh, ok. Just trying to figure out who your roomie was. I've got it now. The trade in milsurp bolt actions and weird knives clued me in.

Kilgor

[ThomasH]

"Make it in blue, and they will come."

Okay, maybe that is a misquote, but I vote for the "royal Blue" if it is up to old standards. It used to be beautiful, and I'd buy an Elite if they bring it back out. Oh, wait... I live in that big state on the west coast, they won't be allowed for sale here I bet. Okay, when I move to Arizona, I'll buy one , okay? :-)

- Thomas

[gdhillard]

Model 19s are one of the things that make aging tolerable. Yours is a beauty! Gary

[Rob96]

Why did you trade the HS2000?

[Hutch]

You don't often see round-butt 4" K-frames. Are they rare? D'ya think yours may have been on of the accursed 2.5" models and rebarrele?

[Erich]

My wife wanted to go shooting yesterday, on the theory that if we have handguns around, she might as well know how to use them. I brought a .380 (a Hungarian SMC) for her to shoot, figuring that she'd have as much fun with it as I do. I knew there was no way she'd want to shoot my Glock 33 in .357 Sig. - WAY too much flash and concussion, and it jumps enough to scare a beginner.

Well, it turns out that the .380 kicked too much for her. It was hard for me to believe, but her hand got real red and it was apparent that the end joint of her thumb was really suffering. (Frankly, I couldn't believe it; it was like "The Princess and the Pea." She was clearly hurting, though, from a .380!) She kept shooting, but she was obviously not having a good time. (Additionally, she had real difficulty pulling the slide back.)

I had wanted her to enjoy herself, so I was pretty bummed. My next-door neighbor (whom we had run into at the range) saw what was going on and loaned Gina a .22 lr revolver. Man, did she have a good time after that! She was really getting into it. On the way home she suggested that we get her a .22 revolver.

Anyway, on the way home I was thinking: "Why do I want a gun around that my wife can't/won't shoot?" Now, the .380 is fun for me, and I wouldn't make any money getting rid of it, but why should I stick with a Glock that's too vicious for Gina to ever consider shooting? It's not like I particularly enjoy shooting it - it's accurate and it always goes off, but its caliber is pretty unpleasant to shoot (and is not available in a downloaded load) and it has that Glock "toy gun" feel and trigger pull. Anyway, to finish up a LONG story, I'm thinking of replacing it with an SP-101 with a 3" bbl - should be about as concealable (maybe a little longer, but not so much of a brick), Gina can open the cylinder easily, and pleasant for her to shoot with .38s.

So I might be joining you there in the old folks home, lendringser. BTW, nice revolver.

[Marko Kloos]

rob96,

because I didn't have the cash left for the revolver this week, and I didn't want anyone else to grab it. The HS2000 was my most expendable handgun, as my Browning HP has pretty much bested the HS2K and the Firestar for CCW. I hadn't been carrying either for over a month, so I figured I'd throw them on the trade-in block. I'd rather keep everything I buy, but that way I get to own more guns...which in turn increases the chance of running into long-term keepers like the Browning HP or the Model 19.

[M58]

lend,
Guy like you over at GT.:)
Rev. are the best in the end.
I will have the MG and matching lever action at trails end.

[baj]

Erich,

If your wife wants a .22 revolver, why not get her the 4 inch .22 SP101 instead of the .38 (unless it is for protection but you didn't mention that)? Is a .38 that much milder than a .380 (never shot a .380 so please correct me if I'm wrong). I think the .22 SP even has adjustable sights.

As for all the old fogey talk, I'm 26 and contemplating my first handgun purchase. I will certainly get a revolver. The only semi that might appeal to me eventually would be a .22. Firing $2 of ammo in the blink of an eye just doesn't sound fun to me, and I find the simplicity of the revolver very pleasing.

[Rob96]

I don't blame you one bit lend. Just today I went to the gunshop and traded my Ruger P94 9mm in on a CZ-75B Military. I would rather keep all my guns also, but if I have an opportunity to trade on something that is better I will. The Ruger was fine when new, but started to head downhill in the accuracy dept. so this trade I didn't mind. The S&W Model 19 is a fine revolver, I would have done what you did.

[gumshoe4]

I'm with you, Lend. I learned handgun shooting as a reserve LEO with a S&W M-10.

Just finished an off-duty qual with my Glock 27. Still misfires every 20-30 rounds, just like it's done since it was new. My partner's H&K USP .45 disassembled its magazine mid-string. Other guys were shooting Sigs and we had several significant malfunctions with them. I'm not saying this to diss autos-I'm just reporting the facts as they happened at this particular qual shoot.

I am now convinced to return to the round gun for off-duty carry. The Glock will be going away and I'll be looking for a Ruger SP101 in .357 or one of the Taurus .44/.45 snubs (if they are ever approved for sale here in California!!).

Back to the round guns, boys! They go bang every time and it's easier to police the brass!!

[mikey357]

Hey, Lend...Nice Piece!...the revolver, that is...one question...is the topstrap drilled-and-tapped for a scope base, or does it have the "old-style" rear sight and "unholy" topstrap?...Okay, TWO questions...what "dash number" Model 19 is it?...Inquiring minds want to know!!!....mikey357

[KilgorII]

You've got to get that Glock serviced. That's not normal. My miniglock has been flawless for several thousand rounds.

[Mntneer357]

Whew! I thought I was the only one "getting old" going on age 26. My birthday is right around the corner, yet despite my age, I am a definite six-gun lover. I'm glad I am not the only person my age who thinks that a revolver is the way to go for self-defense. I was worried that I was "getting old"....

With age comes wisdom they say. My "wisdom" cost me in my youth. When I turned 21, I had read all the gun magazines and I bought myself a Para-Ord. P-13.45, thinking that this pistol was the be-all-end-all handgun. The gun itself was $622 *plus* another $100 for 2 13-round mags.

I took my alleged "wonder-gun" to the range and was instantly upset. I had several FTFs, jams, stove-pipes, and all sorts of problems. Problem was a bum extractor from the factory. I got that issue resolved, but I still just could not shoot my overly-expensive .45. I was completely inaccurate with it. I couldn't hit *anything*, no matter what the range was. *SO*, I sold the Para-Ord. at a gun show...but only got $550 for it. :(

This story does have a happy ending. I took that money and found a new, stainless Ruger KGP-141 .357 Magnum. I picked that up plus 100 rounds of Cor-Bon 125-grainers and a nice cross-draw holster. And, if you have not read any of my other posts: I am absolutely thrilled beyond belief with my Ruger six-gun!! It is perfectly fitted for my hand. It is built like a bank vault and super easy to care for. And it's frighteningly accurate! This is the one gun I will not part with.

As I have said before, I am consistently amazed at the numer of people my age who believe they *have* to have some kind of an auto. Usually the auto that LEO/CIA/FBI/SEALs carry. These same people, 9 times out of 10, never even look at a revolver. How sad....

Best Wishes,
Mntneer357

[Marko Kloos]

mikey357,

my M19 has the "unholey" top strap and the old style rear sight. It's a 19-5. What does that tell you about it? I am not 100% up to speed on my *&* model history...

[tyro]

Mntneer357,

Please identify the cross-draw holster you use with you KGP-141. I have ordered a springbreak shoulder holster for mine, but 'would like to experiment with a cross-draw also.

[Mntneer357]

Tyro,

I am in South Carolina and there is a guy who makes all sorts of custom holsters. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe it's McKinnon Holsters/Leather. He does very nice work and has been profiled in Handgunner and Guns Magazine.

I'd wager you could also find him displaying and selling at shows in the North Carolina area. I think I paid $45 for my rig. Presently, I am trying to find a good strong-side hip holster for my Ruger KGP-141.

Hope this helps!
Mntneer357

[Erich]

Well, now I've gone and done it. Instead of a fat little Glock (33), I now own a shiny new SP-101. I guess I'm an official old fogey.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go turn the hose on some kids who keep walking on my lawn . . . .

[November]

Erich, what caliber did you finally go for? .357/38 or .22? Barrel length? Blued or Stainless? Good luck with your new gun.

[Erich]

I got her us an SP-101 in .357 with a 2.25" bbl for a main house gun/occasional carry gun. Gina is very happy with the way the revolver operates and is especially happy with the way the grip feels and fits in her hand.

I also got a Taurus 94 for Gina to play with.

As soon as I brought out the Ruger in it's case, Gina took it out and started learning how it worked, and then dry-firing it. I'll tell you what, she's never showed any inclination to do that with any of the autos I've had around.

Cheers! erich

[Gewehr98]

Not by a long shot. My very first handgun, given to me by my mom when I left for the Air Force almost 15 years ago (Wow, have I been an indentured servant that long?!), was a 4" Model 19. She bought 3 of them from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, when the game wardens switched from the Model 19's to the wondernines, selling them off to DNR employees (Mom's a state park administrator)for $100 each. She went all out and bought a 6", 4", and 2.5" Model 19. Dad got the 6", I got the 4", and Mom kept the 2.5". I still have mine, it's a 19-4, and all I've ever done to it is add Hogue grips and some cold blue on the holster wear near the muzzle.

Not to steal thunder from Mike Irwin, but it's arguably the best balanced, nicest feeling, and most properly proportioned .357 Magnum I've ever had the pleasure of handling, let alone owning.

I even used the Combat Magnum to win an IHMSA silhouette match, under the field pistol category, shooting factory Federal Hydra-Shoks because I hadn't yet gotten reloading dies for .38/.357. Suffice it to say 100 rounds of good solid thumping power .357, squirting from a 4" K-frame, makes one wish they had a shooting glove! But the 100-yard rams did fall down when the Model 19 told them to...

I, too, am curious as to the date of mfg of Lendsringer's Model 19, and my own.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=647681&a=12019370&p=45101322&Sequence=0&res=high