Put Model 19 on layaway; more questions.

O

oops

New member
I put a deposit on the Model 19 - 6 inch that I was asking questions about in another thread a few days ago. I paid $300 for it. It's finish is not as perfect as I mentioned before, but the mark I noticed this time was a small spot where the bluing is worn near the business end of the barrel. It has a wide trigger and hammer which I like with adjustable rear sights and red ramp on the front. It has the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder. I'll replace the big wooden grips with Pachmayr's.

What is the frame designation of this model?

Where can I get information on breaking this revolver down and maintaining it?

Which would be a better home defense ammo? .357 158gr HP or .38+p.

If I like this gun as much as I think I will, I'll look for a Model 19 - 2.5 barrel for the nightstand. By coincidence I saw a plain clothes officer sitting a restaurant today carrying what appeared to be a Model 19 - 2.5 inch in a holster that didn't cover the trigger. I haven't seen an LEO with a trigger exposed holster in years.
 
The Model 19 is a K-Frame.

I think the Kunhausen manuals are the best. Brownell's has them
http://www.brownells.com/Product/productDetail.asp?ProductID=924200045&CategoryID=0

I got a Jerry Miculek video from them that showed him taking a S&W apart to clean. It helped to actually see it done.

You're opening up a can of worms regarding ammo advice. If you're planning on doing a lot of shooting though, I'd recommend .38spl. Get an L or N frame if you want to shoot a ton of magnum loads.

And be sure to shoot it before you get rid of those wood stocks. Some of us like those target grips a whole lot better than the rubber. Looks great too.

Enjoy!
 
Agree with joelno's entire post.

On some of my K frames, I like the older non target thin wood slab grips. Small hands and all that.

Sam
 
I hope to have enough money saved up by this weekend to pick up my Model 19. What is considered a reasonable amount of .357 mag ammo to run thru it without beating the gun up too much?

Is it within reason cost wise too have this gun converted to a 3" barrel?
 
MODEL 19

The K-frame model 19 was designed as a "carry gun" and intended to shoot .357 rather sparingly. The design .357 ammo for this revolver was Federal 158 gr. JHP. It is acceptable to shoot .38 +P ammo in this model. I shoot regular .38 special ammo thru mine.
 
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"The design .357 ammo for this revolver was Federal 158 gr. JHP."

Just a nit, and I may be wrong about this, but I don't think that Federal was making .357 Mag. ammo in 1957.

The "design spec" ammo for the Model 19 was the same as it had been for the .357 Magnum/Model 27, Winchester 158-gr., but only at the post-war's reduced velocities.
 
For home defense,

I recommend the use of Federal's 110 grain .38 Special +P
"Hydra-Shok's". Especially, if your household contains any
member's who may have to use this weapon to defend
themselves; but absolutely have NO experience with
weapons handling!:eek: :) :cool: :D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
AlaDan,

My wife is an anti-gun person and doesn't even want to know there is a gun in the house. My son who still lives with us is a cop and carry's a USP .45 so I'm sure he can deal with .357 ammo.

I plan on shooting mostly .38 at the range but I was just wondering how much I can practice with .357 without wearing the gun out. Is a box of 50 per month too much?

Since both my son and I are experienced shooters would you still recommend Federal's 110 grain .38 Special +P Hydra-Shok's for home defense over .357 158 grain ammo?
 
Congrats on your purchase oops, the model 19 is a fine weapon! I don't want to scare you because this is probably an isolated incident, but my brothers new model 19 broke on our first outing when shooting full power magnum loads. We ran a box of .38 specials through her and then pulled out the Remington 125 gr JHP's to try some magnums. We did not finish the box. We noticed what seemed to be debris flying out of the side of the gun and upon closer inspection saw that the forcing cone was completely split. Fortunately no one was hurt. Total rounds through the gun was probably about 75. Of course S&W repaired it, but unfortunately they replaced the barrel with a second that had purplish bluing and "Smith & Wesson" was poorly stamped with some of the letters being doubled. It was a shame and he soon sold it at a loss. Anyway, although I'm sure that this is a rare instance, I wouldn't recommend a heavy diet of magnum loads in a model 19. L or N frames could do it all day, but the model 19 is just not beefy enough.
 
MODEL 19

For the .357 mags that you do fire, I would use the heavier weight bullets in order to slow down the velocity which will , in turn, put less stress on the forcing cone.
 
I don't think 110 or 125 grain loads were around when the Model 19 was developed. The 158 grain load was the standard in 38 and 357. Speaking from my own experience, a very limited amount of 110 or 125 grain Magnums will probably be ok, but I see erosion at the forcing cone in mine after about 300 rounds.
 
MY PERSONAL 4" M19 HAS NEARLY 50,000 ROUNDS

THROUGH IT NEARLY EVENLY DIVIDED BETWEEN 38SPL AMD 357MAG AMMUNITION. THE FORCING CONE IS WORN; NO BIG DEAL!!!! IT IS STILL THE FASTEST 4" 357MAG I'VE EVER CHRONGRAPHED.
Quit worrying about wearing out a gun. If it does indeed happen throw it in the trash and go buy another one. You'll deserve it!:)
 
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