Okay, I've been wanting to ask this for awhile now. S&W discontinued the M- 19 and 66 because the K frame wouldn't hold up to .357 magnum. I don't believe that, but that is what they said. Now, Look at the many different J frame .357's!!! What you talkin' 'bout S&W??? That don't make sense! Sure would be nice to have the K frames back, BUILT LIKE THEY USED TO BE!
I suspect that the real reason they discontinued the K frames is that the L frames took away the market for the K frame .357s and they were not selling enough K frames to make it worth their while.
Yea dehermit, you may be right, who knows for sure. Whatever the reason, S&W, IMHO made a big mistake by eliminating the K frame .357 from their catalog. The company has not made a gun that appeals to me in quiet a while, especially considering the prices.
It's true. The bottom of the forcing cone is relieved to allow the crane to close. This is where the barrel will fail, if/when they fail.
If you shot nothing but 38spl in one, it would last generations, but the high power .357 is just too much for it.
It's meant to fire .357, but only a small percentage of overall use. The forcing cone cracks and the barrel gets loose.
Don't worry about the gun failing in your hand in a catastrophic way, that's just not the case, but lots of .357 will eventually crack the forcing cone.
It's true. The bottom of the forcing cone is relieved to allow the crane to close. This is where the barrel will fail, if/when they fail.
If you shot nothing but 38spl in one, it would last generations, but the high power .357 is just too much for it.
It's meant to fire .357, but only a small percentage of overall use. The forcing cone cracks and the barrel gets loose.
Don't worry about the gun failing in your hand in a catastrophic way, that's just not the case, but lots of .357 will eventually crack the forcing cone.
I just picked up a Model 19 2 in a 6" barrel, serial # k586xxx. I think that puts this pistol in the 1968 or 69 vintage but I don't know for sure, if anyone can date this I would appreciate it. First thing I check always is the forcing cone and the flat at the 6 o clock position. I've only seen 1 model 19 have this problem and it makes me think that it takes a whole lot of use w/357 mags to create this cracking. Most people I know don't shoot enough to do damage to a 19 in my opinion. I also hear the 125 grain rounds were the main culprit but I'm not an expert by any means. I do know these are great handguns w/pined barrels and recessed clyinder and this one has an outstanding action. I'll shot 38's in mine but it's a fine example of an american made handgun by Smith & Wesson in thier prime. It's a pleasure to shoot and I picked it up cheap. Was going to use it for trade fodder but I like it so much I think I'll keep it.
Good info snapping twig. I guess a regular meal of .357's could effect this area of the forcing cone. I compared my K and J frames, and the relief is apparent, if you know what to look for. I also noticed that the area of the relief seems to be as thick or thicker than the forcing cone of the J frames. Is the damaging blast somehow directed more toward this area? Skeeter, in his book Hoglegs, Hipshots & Jalapeno's, said of the model 19, "many shooters, including me, were doubtful about the little sixgun's ability to stand up under continued use of magnum loads". In the next paragraph he said, "suspicians about the strength of the Combat Magnum were gradually and completely dispelled". Wonder what he based that on? Wonder what Mr. Bill Jordan would have to say on this subject? Do you know if there were actual problems or was it just that there could be problems. Very interesting subject. Other thoughts?
Both Skeeter Skelton and Bill Jordan wrote for Shooting Times back in the 80s and at the time of the L frames release seemed to feel that the avarage shooter would never find the K frames weakness. Wish I could tell you I saved all those mags but moves took their toll. Shooting Times always seemed to be the more serious of the gun mags.
Shooting Times was and still may be the best. I surely enjoyed Bill and Skeeter and was saddened when they left. Yes, I shed a tear when I heard Skeeter was gone. I guess the good ol' days are gone. Gun magazines seem to be more technical now and most reviews are on guns that most people can never afford. I have several boxes in the basement filled with the old magazines, think I'll get them out and see what's there.
I have a Model 19-3, 2 1/2 The only thing I have been advised NOT to shoot in it is the new 125 gr, super hot stuff. I have been told, over the years, that the K frame will loosen up on a steady diet of magnum rounds. In Alaska, we qualified with .38 spl and the shot up out old belt .357 ammo once a quarter ( 18 rounds ). We carried model 19' until shortly before I retired and then they went to the L frame, stainless. Retired 1987. I understand that the Troops now carry autos.
The gun was made to digest 158g ammo and folks who shoot it haven't had problems. Speer makes 158 grainers for short barreled revolvers and it's good stuff. The issues were with the 125g loadings.
Glad I looked-in on this thread. I have a 66 and shoot 158 LSWC's in it with fairly hot loads. This is one of my favorites revolver overall, but definitely my pet among my .357's. I may have some 125's around that I bought for defense loads but will stick with those heavier bullets now that I've read what's been said here.
The lighter (125gr, 110gr,) bullets are the culprits that damage the forcing cones, from all I have read. They are at a higher velocity quicker(milliseconds) and put more strain on the forcing cone. The Model 19 was, quoting Bill Jordon, meant to be carried a lot, shot a little. Carry with 125gr loads no problem, practice with 38 special.
They do carry great, the "snubbie" is an ideal concealed carry, IMHO.
Pray and Shoot Daily.
Lee Jones(Celtgun)
"A gentleman will seldom, if ever, need a pistol. However, if he does, he needs it very badly!" Sir Winston Churchill
The lighter 125gr, 110gr bullets being the problems of the model 19 is what I have read also. I mostly put 38 specials thru mine, but fired some 158 grain .357's thru her for the first time in years just yesterday. I did a video, alternating chambers with 38, then 357 and so on. Spun the cylinder so I didn't know what was going to fire first. Got the .357 first. I'm not the best talker, and my voice didn't come across very well, plus bright sunlight wasn't the best lighting conditions to do a video in, so I'll probably do over before I upload it. May post the link to this thread if I remember when I've got the video done.
I bought it used in 1984. Can't remember what I paid for it. Had a gunsmith look at it for the heck of it a couple of months ago, and he said it was in excellent shape.
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