It may seem like I’m on a revolver binge, but that’s what manufacturers are sending me. While auto pistols still outsell revolvers, it’s apparent by manufacturing activity that round guns are a long way from leaving the shelves for good.

One of those guns I received was the Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 19 Carry Comp (reported on here). Several range trips were made – uncharacteristically at an indoor range due to weather – and the Combat Magnum was fired with Magnum ammo. It seemed the M19 preferred full-length Magnum ammo for accuracy. 

If you have a Performance Center revolver, it’s good to have high-end leather for it – like this Belt Speed Scabbard from Ritchie Leather Co. 

Unlike previous versions of the gun, this K-frame Magnum has been somewhat “hardened” by design and execution. That PowerPort in the three-inch barrel and the synthetic stocks (thoughtfully included in the box; the gun had good-looking wood stocks installed) take the sting out of Magnum loads. 

After that article posted – and as I’d held on to the gun to shoot at the retirees’ qualification – Skip Ritchie reached out. He supplied an image for a previous feature and he thought I should try the Ritchie Leather Company Belt Speed Scabbard.

A finely rendered OWB leather holster, it has considerable cant to facilitate casual concealment. The rig rides low enough to please the shooter with limited shoulder mobility. It’s tilted to keep that butt forward to prevent printing through the cover garment. It’s not for close concealment – but neither is the three-inch Combat Magnum.

The Ritchie holster fits high and close – with a considerable cant. This enhances concealment by moving the butt forward, preventing printing through a cover garment as you stoop to pick something up.

I noted before that the M19 Carry Comp is called that due to the PowerPort “Vented Barrel.” As to whether that’s a good idea in a carry gun, it’s an issue to be left to another day. With some guns, barrel porting has been seen as a problem. I first used a ported gun – a S&W Model 58 41 Magnum – in the late 1970s. 

On this new ported gun, the front lockup for the cylinder was dispensed with; the front lock at the end of the ejector rod is gone. It’s been replaced with a crane lock. To my way of thinking, it’s an easier and stronger solution. 

There is a permanently installed trigger stop. This is to prevent trigger movement after the sear is released. I’m not a good enough shot to tell the difference. The front sight features a tritium vial to allow one to see the front sight in conditions of adverse light. 

I’m a fan.

For the handling drills, I shot on a BC-IPSC 12”x18” Practice target. I had two types of ammo: first, it’s “what was available” during the most recent ammo drought, 38 Special Tula 130gr. flat-nose FMJ. I also had old stock Winchester 130gr. SXT and 357 Magnum Golden Saber 125gr. BJHP.

The Magnum load hit just under the sights at 30 feet – close enough not to adjust the sights.

This revolver has a lot of appeal. It just seems to come to hand comfortably. The action is clean but not light. It’s preferred for deliberate shooting.

The M19 Carry Comp’s nice handling features didn’t keep me from spreading some shots out on the big day. I lost the front sight in the bright sunshine, a problem with the Baughman-style front sight. The target below shows the carnage.

The date came for retirees’ range. For the revolver stage, I shot the S&W Performance Center Model 19 Carry Comp. Using Monarch 130 grain flat-point FMJ from Academy Sports + Outdoors, I was down 9 hits out of that “C” ring. I also had a round out of the silhouette outline. 

The overhead sunshine washed out the front sight in my vision – but I’m not sure that was why I pulled rounds out of the center. As there’s a tritium vial in the front sight, I wouldn’t use the cigarette lighter to put soot on the front sight either; maybe paint it …?

My high hits – three out of fifty – were sun-induced. The remainder was me. 

This 34-oz revolver isn’t a terrible burden. It has handled the 357 ammo I used with ease, creating no discomfort. The very experienced deputy next to me on the line – he was shooting a Smith & Wesson M686 4-inch, asked what I was shooting. When I mentioned it was a Carry Comp, he asked if it was ported.

I told him about the PowerPort barrel and he shook his head saying, “It’s not that loud.” 

It’s not much of a data point. We were on a line of shooters and I wasn’t shooting Magnums. 

If you want a bit of custom that’s reasonably priced, this competently made revolver can fill the bill.

— Rich Grassi