Nineteen-fifty-five was a banner yr, for certain, within the gun world. That was the yr that retired Assistant Chief Patrol Inspector of the U.S. Border Patrol Invoice Jordan approached S&W with the concept of manufacturing a lighter, smaller, Ok-frame 4-inch .357 Magnum revolver that wouldn’t tire legislation enforcement personnel out after carrying all of it day. He described it as a “Peace Officer’s Dream”. Earlier than, the one .357 Magnum revolvers made by S&W have been constructed on the big “N” body. The unique Registered Magnum and its by-product Mannequin 27 have been massive, heavy beasts that weighed sufficient to tire a LEO out after an extended shift. Jordan got here up wth the concept of one thing that wouldn’t try this. He was a preferred member of the gun writers’ membership at the moment, and had a stellar document with the Border Patrol, so S&W paid consideration.
On November 15, 1955, they introduced him with the very first Fight Magnum (which might be renamed the Mannequin 19 in 1957 when S&W gave numbers, not names, to their weapons). It’s attention-grabbing that the Mannequin 19 was normal difficulty for uniformed officers of the previous U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, and Patrol Brokers of the U.S. Border Patrol, till it was changed by the .40 S&W. This can be a revolver with an extended and storied previous.
My very own reference to the Fight Magnum started round 1979 once I was a newly-minted band director in a small west-central Indiana city. I had just lately gotten into taking pictures, reloading, and bullet casting, and was in a gun store close by once I noticed the primary Mannequin 19 I’d seen in a gun case. I nonetheless do not forget that blued magnificence sitting there, calling for me to take it house… Alas, on my tiny wage, that couldn’t occur. However, as I stated, I nonetheless keep in mind it and might image it in my thoughts.
Once I came upon that S&W had launched three no-lock (hurray!) variations of what they known as Classics (the fashions 10, 19, and 36), I requested a 19 and a 36. Nothing in opposition to the ten, it’s simply that the opposite two have at all times been particular to me. I acquired the 19 in, and am ready on the 36.
Specs
Width: 1.45 In
Size: 9.87 In
Top: 5.85 In
Weight: 37.4 Oz
Caliber: 357 Magnum
Dimension: Medium (Ok-Body)
Capability: 6
Motion: Single/Double Motion
Barrel Size: 4.25
Grip: Wooden
Sights: Purple Ramp, Adjustable Rear
Optic Prepared: No
Security: None
Colour/End: Blued
State Compliance: CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, MD, NJ, NY, RI, VT, WA
Threaded Barrel: No
Barrel Materials: Carbon Metal
Body: Carbon Metal
Variations, Outdated And New
In accordance with different shooters I’ve talked to about this gun, this can be a draw back. A number of of them keep in mind when S&W used a one-piece barrel, machined and screwed into place, and lengthy for these weapons to be again. The rationale they went with a two-piece model right here, in line with my analysis, is that the unique barrels had a bent to separate. I’ve by no means seen this, however evidently it has occurred. The 2-piecer solves that drawback. So, yup, it ain’t like those of outdated, however it nonetheless works.
OK. So, Why Is This Wheelgun Particular?
This was the primary .357 that wouldn’t drag your gun belt down after an extended day. It had a 4-inch barrel (however was ultimately made with shorter and longer tubes), and it had a pleasant adjustable rear sight coupled with a red-insert entrance sight.
Taking pictures the Smith & Wesson 19 Fight Magnum
I enlisted the assistance of my good pal Ed, a former deputy. He was on this revolver, though he’s extra acquainted with semi-autos. He wished to provide it a go, so we did. We shot some .38 Particular and .357 Magnum ammo that I had. We set some paper up at 25 yards in my yard and let fly.
This taking pictures session was strictly a formality… I had no qualms about this gun’s means to stack holes in paper fairly shut collectively. I personal an 8 ⅜” Mannequin 629 .44 Magnum that can shoot the nuts off a gnat, and I’ve owned many different S&W wheelguns that may do the identical, so I wasn’t involved about accuracy. This isn’t designed as a bullseye gun, however for day-to-day use, it can do.
At any charge, listed here are just a few targets we saved…
The .357s we tried all shot actually near the purpose of intention, a very good factor. You need your “critical” ammo to be within the center… in case your observe ammo isn’t, that’s not the tip of the world.
I might see carrying this man on my hip as a backup throughout Indiana’s deer season. On the typical deer ranges we encounter, this .357 might even be major armament, though I might use it in a secondary position.
That leads me to debate utilization.
Why Do You Want This Revolver?
A four-inch .357 Magnum revolver has many pluses going for it. It isn’t too massive that you just can’t carry it round your home as you undergo your day. Stoke it with gentle .38 Specials and you’ve got a really respectable small-game gun … simply be sure to re-check your zero as .38s and .357s have a tendency to not shoot to the identical level of impression.
One other use is one I discussed, as a backup to your major deer (or different critter) armament. A full-bore .357 load will do wonders to pacify nearly something you’d run throughout, as gun author Philip Sharpe came upon after the unique .357 “Registered Magnum” was launched together with the cartridge in 1935. He used it to take every kind of recreation, throughout multiple continent, in his 8 3/8″ barreled .357.
Lastly, there’s at all times self- or home-defense. Once more, the .357 is nothing to sneeze at… police companies came upon, within the days earlier than semi-autos took over, {that a} 125-grain .357 bullet would do wonders in opposition to somebody taking pictures again or their automotive’s windshield or door.
That was why the .357 was launched within the first place. In 1935, when it got here out, gangsters have been getting away too usually, because the cops had nothing that may punch by way of automotive doorways or windshields. The .357 Magnum solved that drawback.
Anyway, do you really want a purpose so as to add one other traditional to your assortment? I assumed not.
Dwell Stock Worth Checker
Summing Up
For a lot of shooters on the market, particularly youthful ones, revolvers are some archaic software that firearms anthropologists unearth sometimes, however these of us who’re acquainted with them know higher. I personal a number of, and have owned many over the 50 or so years I’ve been concerned within the taking pictures sports activities.
I’ve killed many deer and smaller critters like squirrels with wheelguns and have had enjoyable doing so over the a long time. I additionally frequently carry snub-nosed variations, in both .38 Particular or .357 Magnum. There’s lots to be stated for wheelguns, and there are only a few with the backstory and cache of the traditional Mannequin 19. It’s actually one thing that has earned a repute over time and isn’t about to cease now. In case you are taken with studying extra, test it out right here.
Walther PP .380 ACP Pistol, a Traditional Revisited | Assessment
About Mike Hardesty
With expertise spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has lengthy loved taking pictures and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a various array of firearms, every dealt with with long-practiced precision. Residing in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a private 100-yard vary the place he shares his love for weapons to his 4 sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a acknowledged writer, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Nation, Bear Creek Arsenal Weblog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing ardour for firearms on the age of 72.
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