Offered through the company’s Performance Center shop, the Smith & Wesson Model 19 Carry Comp is built on Smith’s medium-sized K-frame, which offers a six-round cylinder capacity, along with a full firing grip while still being configured for daily carry. Measuring in at about 7.5 inches long and 5 inches high, size-wise, it’s not much different than most double-stack, duty-size 9 mms on the market. Its relatively compact dimensions are thanks to the shortened, 2.5-inch barrel, which also includes a single-port compensator on the top, dubbed by Smith & Wesson as the “PowerPort.”
As configured from the factory, the Model 19 is equipped with a set of rosewood stocks from Altamont Grips, which feature checkering on each side, along with two deep finger grooves on the frontstrap. But for regular range sessions, an elongated, single-piece rubber grip is also included to help tame felt recoil. The frame is coated with a moss-colored Cerakote, while the fluted cylinder, ejector rod, cylinder release latch, trigger, hammer spur and sights are all finished with a matte-black treatment, giving the gun a striking two-tone look.
Just behind the single-port compensator, there’s a tritium-illuminated ramped front sight with a serrated face to reduce glare. At the top of the frame, Smith & Wesson includes a blacked-out rear sight that’s adjustable for windage and elevation. A serrated face on the topstrap reduces glare and ensures a clear sight picture, even in bright sunlight. A wide, textured hammer spur allows shooters to thumb the hammer back for a clean, single-action pull that measured about 4.5-lbs. on our test gun. Double-action was smooth but heavy with a nearly 12-lb. pull weight.
On the range, our experience with the Carry Comp proved that it was a great compromise revolver. Its medium-size frame makes it capable of fulfilling a variety of roles. The gun’s unloaded weight of 34 ozs. makes it heavier than many other carry-friendly revolvers out there, but the all-steel configuration, combined with its single-port compensator, makes this one of the most shootable .357s out there.
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