I had thought the cracked forcing cone problem of the Model 19 and Ruger Security Six was well known to all revolver shooters. I saw my first one in 1980
What acerbated the problem was the use of 110-125gr 357mag loads. I’ve seen cracked forcing cones that only had several hundred rounds fired through them
The problem goes away, for the most part, when heavier 158gr bullets are used
If you will check out Bill Jordan’s involvement with S&W, you will find he never intended for the Model 19 to used exclusively with 357mag loads. Bill Jordan was more practical and didn’t see any need to practice with magnum loads.
Something a bit interesting
Stainless steel K frames(model 65 and 66) didn’t have the forcing cone problem near as much the blued steel models. Heat would leech out the carbon and weaken the steel. Stainless didn’t have that problem
You asked about engineering(dash numbers) changes of the Model 19
19-4(1977) Gas ring moved from yoke to cylinder. This prevented cylinder binding that occasionally happened
19-5(1982) Eliminate cylinder counter bore and pinned barrel
19-6(1988) New yoke retention system/radius stud package/floating hand/hammer nose bushing
19-7(1994-1997) Change extractor
Smith and Wesson ran out of pinned barrels years ago, so the -6 and -7 will have the upgrades without barrel replacement problems
The Model 581(1980), 586(1981) and 686(1980) L frames were developed to cure the forcing cone problem of the Model 19
The Model 19 was discontinued in 1999
I surprised most on this forum didn’t know about all of this. It’s been known long before the internet by revolver shooters
The Model 19 or its stainless counter part the Model 66 is still one of the best work revolvers ever made
If you insist on a steady diet of 357 mag loads the L frame is the way to go
The Model 66 was discontinued in 2005
Do a search on cracked forcing cone
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/08/smith-wesson-model-19-4-nickel.html
http://www.gunblast.com/Butch_MagnumLoads.htm
What acerbated the problem was the use of 110-125gr 357mag loads. I’ve seen cracked forcing cones that only had several hundred rounds fired through them
The problem goes away, for the most part, when heavier 158gr bullets are used
If you will check out Bill Jordan’s involvement with S&W, you will find he never intended for the Model 19 to used exclusively with 357mag loads. Bill Jordan was more practical and didn’t see any need to practice with magnum loads.
Something a bit interesting
Stainless steel K frames(model 65 and 66) didn’t have the forcing cone problem near as much the blued steel models. Heat would leech out the carbon and weaken the steel. Stainless didn’t have that problem
You asked about engineering(dash numbers) changes of the Model 19
19-4(1977) Gas ring moved from yoke to cylinder. This prevented cylinder binding that occasionally happened
19-5(1982) Eliminate cylinder counter bore and pinned barrel
19-6(1988) New yoke retention system/radius stud package/floating hand/hammer nose bushing
19-7(1994-1997) Change extractor
Smith and Wesson ran out of pinned barrels years ago, so the -6 and -7 will have the upgrades without barrel replacement problems
The Model 581(1980), 586(1981) and 686(1980) L frames were developed to cure the forcing cone problem of the Model 19
The Model 19 was discontinued in 1999
I surprised most on this forum didn’t know about all of this. It’s been known long before the internet by revolver shooters
The Model 19 or its stainless counter part the Model 66 is still one of the best work revolvers ever made
If you insist on a steady diet of 357 mag loads the L frame is the way to go
The Model 66 was discontinued in 2005
Do a search on cracked forcing cone
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/08/smith-wesson-model-19-4-nickel.html
http://www.gunblast.com/Butch_MagnumLoads.htm
