The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: Frisco on May 28, 2009, 10:02:46 AM
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My Dad's Smith & Wesson Model 19-2
He carried it for 25 years as a deputy sheriff in Pima County, Arizona. It is the gun he used to defend his life and the lives of other deputies during a shootout with Hell' Angels in the 1970's.
The action is butter smooth, the timing is like that of a fine watch.
It is the gun I carried on the day I graduated from the academy, and the gun I prize most. Dad gave it to me shortly before he passed away.
I pulled it out of the safe yesterday to give it some attention, and took it out back to let her do what she was made to do.
I think she might be my carry gun for the next little while. I will let the plastic guns have a break, and let the classic old girl have some fun.
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Make her a pretty holster!
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That's a beauty Frisco. Great history behind it too along with being a family heirloom. Thanks for sharing. And it has been in a shootout with HA/81?
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It's hard to say which is cooler, the gun or the story behind it.
Very nice.
And what Haz said. :D
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Thanks for the pic and the history that goes with the gun. Wow, it's still in great condition.
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Amazing at the 'personality' that such a fine piece can take on....ain't it?
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That's a beauty Frisco. Great history behind it too along with being a family heirloom. Thanks for sharing. And it has been in a shootout with HA/81?
Yeah...I have never been able to dig up too many details. Dad didn't talk about it much. Story I get was some scooter trash came through Tucson from California and started a dustup in a bar. One thing led to another, and my Dad and his partner got jumped by a couple of the Angels. One thing led to another...one pulled a gun on Dad's partner, and my Dad dropped him. Pretty much ended the fracas.
My Dad could shoot the nuts off a mosquito at 25yds with that wheelgun of his. He was definitely a peice of work. The day he retired, and did his last tour, he carried his 1st Gen Colt Peacemaker .44-40 in a John Wayne style holster and belt with his handcuffs hanging off the back. He retired the Monday after I graduated from the Academy...I got HIS star and badge number. When he passed in 1994, I buried him in his Bible, Resistol, Boots, Uniform, with his Peacemaker and handcuffs. You know...just in case someone started a ruckus.
By the way...the Peacemaker was loaded.
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Yeah...I have never been able to dig up too many details. Dad didn't talk about it much. Story I get was some scooter trash came through Tucson from California and started a dustup in a bar. One thing led to another, and my Dad and his partner got jumped by a couple of the Angels. One thing led to another...one pulled a gun on Dad's partner, and my Dad dropped him. Pretty much ended the fracas.
My Dad could shoot the nuts off a mosquito at 25yds with that wheelgun of his. He was definitely a peice of work. The day he retired, and did his last tour, he carried his 1st Gen Colt Peacemaker .44-40 in a John Wayne style holster and belt with his handcuffs hanging off the back. He retired the Monday after I graduated from the Academy...I got HIS star and badge number. When he passed in 1994, I buried him in his Bible, Resistol, Boots, Uniform, with his Peacemaker and handcuffs. You know...just in case someone started a ruckus.
By the way...the Peacemaker was loaded.
What better way to meet your maker than with your peacemaker ;D
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Yeah...I have never been able to dig up too many details. Dad didn't talk about it much. Story I get was some scooter trash came through Tucson from California and started a dustup in a bar. One thing led to another, and my Dad and his partner got jumped by a couple of the Angels. One thing led to another...one pulled a gun on Dad's partner, and my Dad dropped him. Pretty much ended the fracas.
My Dad could shoot the nuts off a mosquito at 25yds with that wheelgun of his. He was definitely a peice of work. The day he retired, and did his last tour, he carried his 1st Gen Colt Peacemaker .44-40 in a John Wayne style holster and belt with his handcuffs hanging off the back. He retired the Monday after I graduated from the Academy...I got HIS star and badge number. When he passed in 1994, I buried him in his Bible, Resistol, Boots, Uniform, with his Peacemaker and handcuffs. You know...just in case someone started a ruckus.
By the way...the Peacemaker was loaded.
Sounds like a hell of a man, Frisco.
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Nice gun and great story. Enjoy shooting that thing.
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That's gonna make M'ette cry like a little girl when she reads it. ;)
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Great stuff Frisco. Scooter trash, lol. Haven't heard that one in years. Perfect items to retire into the ground with. Thanks again for sharing.
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You are right that the M19-2 is the best revolver. I got one for graduation as well and carried it in Vietnam. I still shoot it quite a bit.
And, it goes deer hunting with me in my kit bag. I use a Ruger No. 1 7x57 for deer but I like the backup.
We/I have a rule -- only one rifle if we have to track a wounded deer. I am our chief tracker. So I carry the M19 as I track and let my buddy carry his rifle.
Your dad made a good choice in my book.
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the 19 is a sweet oiece,i have the 19 combat masterpiece,the trigger and timing could not be better.
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Is this a .38 or .357? In any case I love older S&W revolvers. They are made for your hand and point very naturally. Added bonus is they look so damn good!
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Is this a .38 or .357? In any case I love older S&W revolvers. They are made for your hand and point very naturally. Added bonus is they look so damn good!
The 19 is the .357 Magnum. Of course, like all .357's it handles .38's all day long. I usually carry Federal 110gr jhp .38+P in it wit a pair of HKS Speedloaders full of 125gr jhp .357 rounds for reloads. No need to beat the thing up with a lot of Magnums...I have other .357's for that.
Yeah, in my opinion, the Model 19 Combat Magnum is the zenith of medium frame revolvers for self defense. I also really like the L-Frame 586 Distinuished Service Magnum for a little more robust revolver. It isn't as slick as the K-Frame 19, but ALMOST, and it is leaps and bounds better than any other wheelgun out there. Eve the Colt Python isn't as nice out of the box as a Smith & Wesson. Just my opinion after 30 years of shooting and owning both Smith and Colt wheelguns.
I bought a raggedy old Smith & Wesson Model 13 some years ago, which is the fixed-sight, heavy barrel version of the K-Frame magnum. I cleaned it up, and did a home-grown action job on it. For the princely sum of $150.00, I have a slick .357 that lives in my "Oh S**t Bag". You just can't beat a Smith Wheelie.
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Beauty! .357 and PURTY (not to mention the added history 'cool' factor!).
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Thanks for the story and sharing the proud family history Frisco, that pistol is on the very short list as one of the best revolvers ever made, period; and was complemented with a fine man when duty called.
Blessed are the Peacemakers, and those that carry them.
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The K frame Smiths, are Very fine, and I own several, The L frame can be just as slick, but the difference is the diameter of the cylinder assembly, the closer the cartridges are together, the less the centrifugal force is created, and less felt friction as well. You don't feel the weight of the cartridges slamming home as much, as you would with an L or N frame.
Great Story too, Thank you so much.
I would like to have met your dad, and certainly like to meet you.
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Beautiful gun and beautiful story. I love blue steel and wood. I need to get a 19 some day. Thanks for sharing.
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Great memories for you Frisco, thank you for sharing with us.
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What better way to meet your maker than with your peacemaker ;D
Just in case St. Peter wasn't cooperative! ;D
FQ13
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anything that My Government said I am not allowed to Own
caus they must be good ;)
as they seemed to have banned all the fun guns over here :
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Great gun and even better story. It sounds like your father was a heck of a man...old fashioned good guy. It also sounds like the apple didn't fall too far from the tree.
I love the way that you handled his send off. Top notch.
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Great story Frisco, thanks for sharing. As a federal officer, I carried a Model 19 with 2 1/2" barrel, with Pachmyr round butt grips in a Bianchi pancake holster. We carried concealed throughout the country, This was in the mid-70's and have had a Model 19 ever since until a year and half ago when my son asked me very nice for it. I still prefer the Model 19 to most new guns. Love the .357.
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Great story Frisco, thanks for sharing. As a federal officer, I carried a Model 19 with 2 1/2" barrel, with Pachmyr round butt grips in a Bianchi pancake holster. We carried concealed throughout the country, This was in the mid-70's and have had a Model 19 ever since until a year and half ago when my son asked me very nice for it. I still prefer the Model 19 to most new guns. Love the .357.
I've got a 19 snubby that was worked by the Late Great Andy Cannon. It is one of my favorite handguns of ANY type.
I didn't you jarheads actually used handguns....I though y'all just inserted the bullets into your victims manually. ;D
Seriously though...Thank you for your service (all vets).
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The preferred method is to insert bullet manually into target but politicians take a dim view of it and make up rules of engagement that specify PC methods of insertion.
Gung ho.
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The preferred method is to insert bullet manually into target but politicians take a dim view of it and make up rules of engagement that specify PC methods of insertion.
Gung ho.
Politicians...(insert gagging and choking sounds here)... ::)
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Most Politians will not get thier hands dirty, that job is for the other people, you know (Army,Navy,Air Force Marines,Coast Gaurd)
Politians do the tallking ....... everyone else has to do the work, fighting and dying.
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Most Politians will not get thier hands dirty, that job is for the other people, you know (Army,Navy,Air Force Marines,Coast Gaurd)
Politians do the tallking ....... everyone else has to do the work, fighting and dying.
\
Our military just tries to end wars , it's the politicians that start them.
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The best revolver I ever had was a Dan Wesson with interchangable barrels. I took off the 8" barrel and switched it for a 4" barrel and a screw on muzzle brake. I had it loaded with Remington multi-ball buckshot ammo when the police confiscated it (long story). They never saw a gun like that or ammo like that before. They wetre showing it off. I don't think I'll ever find another gun like that so maybe I'll get a S&W or a Ruger instead. I miss having a .357.
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The best revolver I ever had was a Dan Wesson with interchangable barrels. I took off the 8" barrel and switched it for a 4" barrel and a screw on muzzle brake. I had it loaded with Remington multi-ball buckshot ammo when the police confiscated it (long story). They never saw a gun like that or ammo like that before. They wetre showing it off. I don't think I'll ever find another gun like that so maybe I'll get a S&W or a Ruger instead. I miss having a .357.
There are still a few around, A friend of mine bought a used one, 4inch last winter for $350.
I don't know WHERE you would find the barrels though.
I will say it is probably the most accurate revolver I ever shot.
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I wanted to bump this thread so we will all think about our friend FRISCO who seems to be missing in ACTION I know we all wish him well.
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The best gun is the one that touches your heart...I don't think anyone outside our culture could ever understand that statement, either.
Michael B
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The best gun is the one that touches your heart...I don't think anyone outside our culture could ever understand that statement, either.
Michael B
Yup my favourite gun was stolen by the australian gubbermint in 2003. It was not my first, it was not the most expensive but it had history and a personality all its own. It was destroyed because some dimwit decided the barrel length was not meeting their criteria.
RIP Baby Browning!
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https://shop.cz-usa.com/SearchByCategory.aspx?CategoryCode=30
CZ stocks the Dan Wesson barrels here.
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Great story, thanks for sharing. Your dad sounds like the real deal, John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Jeff Cooper, and Bill Jordan rolled into one! Love me some wheelguns! (obviously - see user name)
Wheelgun
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There are still a few around, A friend of mine bought a used one, 4inch last winter for $350.
I don't know WHERE you would find the barrels though.
I will say it is probably the most accurate revolver I ever shot.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search/Category/799/Non-Guns/Barrels.htm
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For those with a .357 yearning for one of the best.
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/twyacht/100_0538.jpg)
S&W Model 19
THE nightstand, bump in the night, OMG, zombie dropping revolver. Federal 158 JHP's as long as your grip can take it.
"Wheelguns is real guns"
Hazcat, DRTV Ranger... ;)
One other, that can be overlooked is the Amadeo Rossi M971 Stainless.. It can take anything you load it with, and makes a fine pistol whipping implement, until its reloaded.
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/twyacht/rossi.jpg)
just my .02 cents.... They have my trust, and will be the goto kick my door in SD weapon. God help them if I need to get to the closet,...
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The best gun is the one that touches your heart...I don't think anyone outside our culture could ever understand that statement, either.
Michael B
Strange but true. My favorite actually belongs to my wife. Trouble is it is her favorite too, next to her Kahr PM9. I get it sometimes but end up having to clean it for the time spent with it (did u catch the suttle innuendos?). Gun oil messes up her nails :P Maybe it's like the grass on the other side of the fence or the fox and the sour grapes. At any rate the Colt Agent (left lower) feels like another finger in the sense it belongs in my hand. My second favorite is the S&W with the 4" barrel (left middle). I carry the Interarms Rossi 5 shot (left upper) if I'm doing something where a gun might get banged up ;). The Charter Arms "Bulldog" 44 (right lower) with hollow points is a little bear but not much fun to shoot due to recoil. The S&W Airweight with laser (right upper) is the newest but just doesn't feel as good as the Colt. The other is a 9 shot Hi Std 22 (right middle) and is good cheap practice. All of our wheel guns are easy for arthritic hands to reload as some slides on autos are hard to pinch enough to pull back. All but the Airwt are over twenty years old and off the books.