found this at local toy store. didn't have a 357 snub and seldom see these anymore so took it home

Great looking snub.

And yes, pre-lock snub S&W's are getting harder to find. The prices have gone much higher than I ever expected to see in my lifetime. I had a beauty in the same condition as your's. But a 3" Model 66-4 came along I had to have it, those things have gotten insane on price.

Murphy

Nm

But that 19 looks great with them. Very bidnesslike.

I have always thought that I wanted one of those. Seems the going rate is $600-$800 these days for a good one but then what would a brand new Smith cost you today, and they are not as well made. A 2 1/2" to 4" model 19 is just right.

One of these days ill have one.

After selling my old M-15, 2" to my brother back in the early 80s. Finally found one at an affordable price last spring and snagged it. I love it! It will outshoot me and have already done head shots on squirrels with it using 38 spl reloads. Mine was carried by a detective in a large metro area department and is stamped with the department initials. Hopefully you will enjoy owning yours at least as much as I enjoy mine.

TODAY'S GUNS ARE BETTER MADE, TIGHTER TOLERANCES, STRONGER MATERIALS, AND RELATIVELY CHEAPER. WHAT THEY LACK IS THAT CLASSIC TOUCH THAT STIRS MIND, SOUL, AND SPIRIT.

Every modern S&W I've shot has been better all around, especially in the accuracy department than the classic variety. Take away the MIM parts and that egregious key-hole and I'd prefer them by far. But, both MIM (which absolutely positively is NOT even close to as durable as bar stock parts, regardless of the lies and cries to the contrary) and the key lock are both deal breakers for me. Until then, there is nothing S&W currently makes that fills a need a GP100 or Redhawk, SBH or my 4" 629-4, won't handle.

...can't say I like the lock, but it's here to stay, and I won't let it get between me and a FINE sixgun. I have been extremely pleased with every new Smith I have tried.