Kokusai S&W M19 Zinc

Post by shazhib

OK, zinc metal version of Kokusai S&W M19.

This is a 4th(?) generation of Kokusai metal. Let me explain little bit about the generation.

1st
As in my review of M19 HW, early stage of Kokusai revolver series. It looks ok, but little bit toy-ish. The point I did not like was, a stroke of double action was very narrow, it really turned me off when I have one back in late 70's. This generation of metal model come with black plastic grips.

2nd
After Kokusai re-newed whole revolver line. Good share with good action. Plating was brass, easy to come off when you polish with metal polisher.

3rd
Plating changed to more gold and stronger one, you cannot polish off easily as much as you can do with 2nd. This generation has very short production period I heard.

4th
Current one. Very shiny gold, need compound or other polisher with rough partical in it. One notable thing is, all the parting line has gone. This generation later had small update of having "small insert" cylinder.



Again, the photo with wooden grip for real gun. I am not big fan of checkered grip from my own experience shooting 357 magnum with M19 6 inches (real gun) back in early 90's. It bit my palm.

Other side of view. You will notice S&W like Kokusai marking on side plate is now gone.


I know lot of people don't like this shiny surface, but few good view like this. Currently, the rounds are Kokusai authentic, but considering to buy Mulberry's dummy rounds. As this model having "small cylinder insert", can load 38 special.



The small insert view from front.


Close up of left side


Pointing view


I found metal model has more solid feeling (of course it is metal and heavey)


I think those metal model from Kokusai having almost the same weight with that of real gun. I like to hold metal models in a holster for real guns.

Let me know if you have any specific area want me to upload.

Thanks,

Post by jim

Before the release of the new HW revolvers I bought a metal M10 4" std barrel - without mentioning the gold surface, but after I opened the cylinder and then clicked it back I feel like playing with a die-cast toy (nothing negative - it's hard to describe the feeling but it's just quite different to real steel). I think those who'd handled real revolvers before gets what I mean...

Before I fired my real M10 snubby (back in those days) I swapped the original checkered grips with Hogue's Rubber Grips and it absorbed some of the recoil...that's partly why the revolver makers now prefer rubber grips over the wood (environmental issue is another)...anyway, these pics does make these metal revolvers look much better

Now I realised it lacks the "K&S" logo - this makes the gun missing something isn't it?