The Smith & Wesson Model 19 and Model 66

Perhaps, back in the day, I simply read too many articles authored by Bill Jordan and now I'm somewhat of a throwback. I still regard the double action revolver as an effective defensive tool, I still believe that the .357 Magnum with a 125 grain jacketed hollow point bullet is an excellent defensive cartridge, and I still highly regard the Smith and Wesson Model 19 and its stainless steel brother, the Model 66.

The Smith & Wesson Model 19 and Model 66 provide a good balance between being light enough to carry comfortably while being heavy enough to remain controllable during rapid fire, even with 2.5" and 3" barrels. They are accurate and they are sufficiently rugged when .357 Magnum cartridges are occasionally fired but the majority of shooting is done with .38 Special cartridges. Sadly, these revolvers received undue criticism when they were pushed beyond their limitations with heavy diets of magnum loads that they were never intended to digest. The Smith & Wesson Model 19 and Model 66 have now been discontinued for several years.