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  #1  
Old 10-17-2015, 10:23 PM
noshow noshow is offline
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Default Factory Loaded 357 Mod 19 Safe Loads

If you wanted to buy a Factory Loaded 357Mag ammo for defensive purposes in your Model 19, what would you consider as safe enough to avoid those dreaded forcing cone cracks?
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Old 10-17-2015, 10:32 PM
Buford57 Buford57 is offline
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What I remember from the times in which the 19 was a common duty weapon (mid 80s), the problem seemed to be related to use of the lighter weight (110 gr and 125 gr) loads then becoming available. There did not seem to be any problem related to the previously standard 158 JHP or JSP loads, or for that matter the 140 and 145 gr loaded that started appearing in the late 70s and early 80s.

I recently bought a 2.5 inch 19-3 and intend to use Blazer 158 gr. JHP until I can get more Winchester Silvertips.
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Old 10-17-2015, 11:38 PM
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I would (and do) load my model 19 up with the round that is the best one shot manstopper since the records have been kept......Remington, Federal, Speer or Winchester, Full Magnum, 125 grain JHPs and if my forcing cone developed a crack while I was defending my life, I would thank the LORD and simply have the barrel replaced


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Old 10-18-2015, 10:50 AM
shotgun693 shotgun693 is offline
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If you stick to milder loads for practice and reserve the hotter, full power loads, for self defense you should not have a problem. This is exactly how the gun was designed, a light duty gun with the ability use use magnum loads as needed.
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Old 10-18-2015, 12:03 PM
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+1;

Treat it like a J frame 38 special.

The K frame is a light frame for the 357 magnum but it will do the full loads, like the J frame handles the +P loads.

Get a box of the 125gr and see where they hit a target and how you handle them and save the rest for SD use.

140 and heavier JHP are a lot easier on the K frame and the lead 38 special even better, if you buy them.
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Old 10-18-2015, 12:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colt_saa View Post
......and if my forcing cone developed a crack while I was defending my life, I would thank the LORD and simply have the barrel replaced
And just where do you suppose you are going to find a Model 19 barrel of any length? If you are alert enough to follow the numerous "Cracked forcing cone" threads you would know that M-19 barrels have not been available from any source for quite a few years!

Chances are that there will be no issue for the number of rounds that may be fired in self-defense, this is true, but there is more than adequate anecdotal evidence that there is a higher than normal chance of the barrel shank failing with continual use of the higher velocity, light bullet, loads in the M-19.
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Old 10-18-2015, 01:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alk8944 View Post
And just where do you suppose you are going to find a Model 19 barrel of any length? If you are alert enough to follow the numerous "Cracked forcing cone" threads you would know that M-19 barrels have not been available from any source for quite a few years!
Totally untrue statement

S&W does not have barrels, other sources do

I just did a quick search of two different auction sites. One has a 2 1/2" and a 4" on different auctions, the other auction site has two of each available.

That is six barrels in 30 seconds of searching. How many forcing cones have you heard about cracking this year

Update: After posting this I also checked Numrich Arms. 2 1/2" barrels are in stock. So are 4" barrels, but in nickel

Last edited by colt_saa; 10-18-2015 at 01:10 PM.
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Old 10-18-2015, 01:23 PM
TazTJ TazTJ is offline
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With a short barrel, I often go with a 135 Speer Gold Dot in 38+p or 357 Magnum, or Rem Golden Saver 125gr 357 Magnum, or Win PDX 38+P or 357 Magnum, depending on the gun. The GS is a mid level magnum load, not the really hot stuff and the GD and PDX work well in short barrels and are easy to shoot, even from my scandium snubbies.
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Old 10-19-2015, 11:09 AM
Hapworth Hapworth is offline
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If the gun's intended purpose is defending life and limb, I wouldn't worry about the endlessly debated, never proven, never disproven forcing cone "issue".

I'd pick the load with the best test and real-world performance data available, that also suited my defense needs and I could shoot proficiently.

In my case, in .357, that's Speer's Gold Dot Short Barrel, Remington Golden Saber or CorBon's DPX line.

And I'd keep the revolver properly maintained.

That, or switch to a model I wasn't concerned about breaking so I'd shoot it often enough to to make it an extension of me.
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Old 10-19-2015, 03:04 PM
MichiganScott MichiganScott is offline
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If you are involved in a self defense shooting, the gun will probably be confiscated by the police while they are investigating. If you get cleared, there is a decent chance that you will have problems getting your gun returned. By the time you finally have it back in your hands again, it will look like it was dragged behind your car over ten miles of bad roads.

Worry about the forcing cone when trying to decide if it's worth refinishing.
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Old 10-19-2015, 04:47 PM
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I would agree with the Short Barrel Gold Dot .357.

Good expansion and pleasant to shoot out of a Model 19 w/2.5 inch barrel.

It can be hard to find in the .357 variety. Target Sports USA had some not long ago and I picked up a couple more boxes.
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Old 10-19-2015, 04:54 PM
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I have a LOT of 158gr LSWCHP through mine.... no issues yet
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