Nice S&W model 19

Reloads or factory ammo?

The strain screw could very well cause the FTF problem. Incorrectly tightened (too loose) would cause light hammer strikes. It is often referred to as a poor mans trigger job.
 
--I was able to screw it in another half-turn CW. Is that likely to make any difference in the miss-fire problem? I can't detect any change in trigger pull (using finger, not a gauge).
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Yes. For sure.
 
Awaiting another opportunity

Thanks to all. Having adjusted the screw, I'll report back after I'm able to shoot the gun again, I hope within the next few days.
 
Another thing to check - and it's not something common, but, I've had it happen....

Make sure the firing pin on the hammer is free to pivot. I had one that was sort of frozen in place and didn't pivot. Crud or something had built up on it.
I hit it with some #9 and a brass brush and scrubbed it good and freed it.

Since the gun is older and used, it's possible it was cleaned with WD40 and the WD40 has turned to varnish.

BTW - the finish is probably nickle not chrome.
Be careful with using #9 or anything else with ammonia in it to clean the gun.
Worst case is the ammonia will attack the finish. Less severe is the tendancy for the ammonia to turn it yellow.

I use Ballistol on all my nickle guns to clean them.
 
More tests

Well, I shot about half a box of fresh Federal .357 mags and all fired normally. I then shot some of the old (30-year old) .38 Spl reloads and about 20% failed to fire. It appears that tightening the adjusting screw was enough to ensure reliable firing of fresh factory ammo. The old .38 Spl may have deteriorated, and account for those miss-fires, though only more shooting with fresh ammo will totally convince me that my problem is solved.

The firing pin seems to move easily against spring tension in the hammer.
 
If you're worried about the barrel/cyl. gap, fire it while holding a sheet of white paper about a foot away from the gun on each side & see what it does to the paper. A few small specs are usually normal, but I'd be worried about any holes that you can see light through. If it's very much excessive people on either side of you at the range should notice.
 
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