I'm relatively new here so if this question has been around before please forgive me BUT is it feasible to shoot .38+P ammo in a model 19 S&W? If not why?
Thanks

Sure. You can shoot any .38 Special ammo in a .357 mag without an issue.

I keep both my .357's loaded with .38 +P

The Model 19 is chambered for .357 Mag which operates at 35,000 psi.

The SAAMI .38 +P specification calls for a maximum average chamber pressure of 20,000 psi.

There is no SAAMI .38 +P+ specification but in the past, those loads ran between 23,500 psi and 30,000 psi - still no sweat for a Model 19.

Some of the older .38/44 Heavy Duty loads rivaled and even exceeded .357 Magnum pressures, and those are the only loads I'd refrain from using in a Model 19.

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In general the Model 19 was designed for only infrequent loads with .357 Magnum ammunition. Law enforcement agency practice at the time it was designed was to use .38 Special ammunition for training and reserve .357 Magnum ammo for duty use.

In the 1970's practices changed to use .357 Magnum ammo for training as well, and the result was a fair number of Model 19s with cracked forcing cones, due to a combination of the higher stresses on the forcing cone with .3576 Magnum ammo, and issue with gas cutting and erosion of the forcing cone, which creates "v" shapes cuts in the forcing cone, which act as stress risers, particularly in the bottom side of the cone, where the relief cut was made for the crane.

In that regard, doing most of your shooting with .38 Special or .38 +P loads is a very good idea.

The .38 Special +P is not much different from the standard .38 Special loads made before about 1970. .38-44 loads were intended for use in N-frame revolvers chambered in .38 Special, and had somewhat lower peak chamber pressure than the early .357 Magnum loads. The typical .38-44 ammo used a 158 grain bullet having a MV of about 1100-1150 ft/sec (depending on barrel length), and my guess is that the peak pressure was close to 25,000 psi, even though I have never seen any actual measured pressures. In any event, it was considered safe for use in any .38 Special revolver made at that time (which does not mean it is a good idea to do so). The big issue was excessive recoil in revolvers lighter than N-frames. I believe that the .38-44 cartridge wasn't factory loaded after the early 1970s. Your Model 19 will handle any .38 Special load without problems. As noted, the original assumption behind the Model 19's design was that a high majority of its firing would be done using .38 Special ammunition, but would be carried on duty loaded with .357 Magnum ammunition.

Thanks to all for the great info! The model 19-3 I'm buying was made in 1971 and I wanted to make sure (even though common sense told me so) that it was ok to shoot +P ammo thru it.

.38 Special cases are 0.135" shorter than .357, so making sure .38 firing residue doesn't keep .357 from chambering is important. As others noted .38 Special +P is like .357 "minus P", perfectly safe . Enjoy that model 19!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I consider the model 19, with metal removed for the crane,
at the bottom of the barrel............

a light "Magnum" revolver, due to the weakened area.

A great revolver, if used with the correct loads.
Enjoy.

A fine and classic firearm. I was issued a 4 inch model 19 in 1980 and carried it until we transitioned to the semi autos in the mid to late 80's. Trained with and carried on duty .38 +P. Worked great. Enjoy that classic and you will turn a few young heads at the range I suspect.

I shot the 19 today using some semi-wad cutters, round nose lead and some +P's and it shot very well!!!!! I'm not a "great pistol shooter" but this revolver is so very accurate, it made me look good!!! I'm a happy camper
I wonder why I waited so long to buy one! and I can't wait to shoot it again!