Sheriff Jim Wilson

A Classic Sixgun

Posted on 17 February 2012

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of the Smith & Wesson Model 19 revolver (mfg. 1957-1999). But one of my all-time favorite DA revolvers happens to be the 2 1/2-inch version of the Model 19. I first bought one, about 1969, to serve as my off-duty piece. When I made detective, in the early 1970′s, the 2 1/2-inch version became my standard carry gun and many of life’s little adventures occurred when I had that gun on my hip.

In 1963, Smith & Wesson did a special run of Model 19′s with the 2 1/2-inch barrel. So far as I can tell, these guns were not special-ordered by anyone, they were just sort of a test run to see if this short-barreled concept would sell. It must have met with some success because, in 1966, Smith & Wesson officially announced the 2 1/2-inch barreled Model 19. This revolver was identical to the Model 19 in that it had an adjustable rear sight and a barrel shroud protecting the ejector rod. However, it also had a round butt, sporting the slim magna stocks, for better concealment. At the time of introduction, this particular 2 1/2-inch Model 19 was designated the Model 19-2.

Just a year later, in 1967, the designation was changed to Mod. 19-3, due to some very minor parts changes. As with the earlier Model 19′s, the 19-3 had recessed cylinder chambers and a barrel that was not only screwed in to the frame but also was pinned into place. The 19-3 was manufactured from 1967 to 1977, when Smith & Wesson began to make manufacturing changes that were designed to save money. Unfortunately, these changes also began a downward spiral in the quality of their revolvers. I’m sad to say that it is a trend that continues to this day. We regard 1957 to 1977 as the golden years of the Model 19.

Some years ago, in a very weak moment, I traded off my original 2 1/2-inch Model 19. And, though I have, and in some cases have had, quite a number of Model 19 and Model 66 (the stainless version) revolvers, I never really had gotten my hands on a clean 2 1/2-inch Mod. 19-3. That all changed this past week, when I got in a little old gun trade with my Border Patrol buddy Shane Jahn. I got the 19-3 and he left with… … well, never mind what I had to give him. Let’s just say that we are both happy with the trade.

The 2 1/2-inch Model 19 is one of those short-barreled guns that just happens to balance very well in my hand. And, I’m not sure I can explain why, but the little guns are way more accurate than any snub-nose has a right to be. This little sixgun is sort of a reminder of my youth, but I assure you that I’m having a ball shooting it and packing it.

Posted in Guns, Personal Defense, Revolvers | Tagged DA, double action, model 19, model 66, revolvers, S&W, smith and wesson, snub nose | 3 Comments

So You Want to Be a Handgun Hunter

Posted on 14 February 2012

Like most of the things involved in this shooting business, just saying something doesn’t make it so. If you are serious about handgun hunting, however, here are a few tips that will get you headed in the right direction.

CALIBER SELECTION: Remember that any handgun is not as powerful as most popular hunting rifles. Your hunting handgun should be chambered for the most powerful caliber that you can handle accurately. And, if you can’t handle at least a .41 or .44 Magnum with hunting loads, you probably shouldn’t be going up against anything larger than small whitetail deer.

LEARN TO SHOOT: The basics of handgun marksmanship are also the basics of handgun hunting marksmanship. Breath control, trigger squeeze, and follow through, are critical to delivering that well-placed shot that will humanely drop your trophy. Beginners are well advised to take an NRA bullseye pistol class to bone up on the basics.

DETERMINE YOUR EFFECTIVE RANGE: Your effective handgun hunting range is the farthest distance that you can still keep all of your shots in an 8-inch circle (this is about the size of the vital zone on most big game animals). Picnic plates make great targets. Please note that this is not from a bench, but should be tested using field positions. And your effective range is not what you did once-upon-a-time. It’s the range where you can deliver all of your shots into 8 inches every time, on demand

LEARN WOODSCRAFT: You need to deliver your killing shot as close as you can possibly get to your trophy. Study moving through the woods quietly, using available concealment, and always hunting into the wind. This is great off-season practice, when you are out locating game and their favorite haunts

BE A SPORTSMAN: If the shot doesn’t feel right, don’t try it. You may be tired, you may be sore, the light may be bad. It doesn’t matter, if the shot doesn’t feel right, don’t try it.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE: You might as well get into handloading, too, because you need to burn a lot of ammo getting to the point where you can feel confident hunting with a handgun. I have to practice three times as much with a handgun as I do with a rifle. You probably will, too.

HAVE FUN: Shoot, practice, study woodscraft, and have a good time with the challenge of handgun hunting. There are some wonderful trophies to be had when the bullet flies true.

Posted in Hunting, Philosophy, Revolvers, Semi-Auto | Tagged handgun hunting, handloading, sportsman, woodscraft | 3 Comments

Handgun Hunting

Posted on 10 February 2012

I started handgun hunting many years ago. As a young policeman I figured that handgun hunting would be a good way to improve my skills with the S&W Model 19 that I carried every day on duty. I had no idea how much it would teach me about bullet placement, bullet construction, and hunting skills.

Our deer lease had lots of whitetail deer, Rio Grande turkey, and feral hogs. I soon learned that a .357 Magnum worked quite well on turkey, but the hollowpoint bullets were too destructive and tore up too much meat. It quickly became apparent that a 158 gr hardcast bullet was just right for the chore. However, I found that the .357 was not a dependable killer of deer and it was even worse on feral hogs.

That’s really when my love affair with the .44 Special and the .44 Magnum came about. A heavy hardcast bullet from one of these cartridges, driven to 1000 to 1350fps, would get the job done much better. It was also more effective to place the bullet in the center of the shoulder, instead of behind the shoulder as we’d do with a high-powered rifle.

But the thing that I have enjoyed most about handgun hunting was the fact that you had to get close if you were going to properly place that handgun bullet using iron sights. Handgun hunting has taught me just about all that I know about moving quietly, using available concealment, and doping the wind. The bonus was the fact that it was a real hoot to beat a wild animal at his own game.

I have enjoyed the challenge of the stalk as much as the taking of the trophy. And handgun hunting has taught me not to be so greedy. The handgun hunter has to learn that he can’t get into effective range on every trophy animal that he sees. For that reason, I’ve had to learn to live with the fact that a trophy might get away and that I’m left with the joy of being out-of-doors and having the chance to match my wits against him.