Hello forum,

Hope you can help answer some nagging concerns I have had for a while. My 4' Model 15-3 Combat Masterpiece (s/n K-905790) eats only .38 Special +P PMC Bronze 132 gr. FMJ while my Model 19-3 6" Combat Magnum used to eat 158 gr JHP CCI Blazer Brass .357 Magnum rounds but several years ago I heard concerns over the Model 19 getting forcing cone cracks at 6:00 o'clock low due to the "flat" machining required so I started feeding the Mod 19 the same ammo as the K38.

I have always inspected with a strong light after shooting (both revolvers) and have yet to see anything, but is there some reading on this subject, and in Members opinions, is there still an issue? Hate like heck to one day see the crack that would render things pretty well useless.

Thnaks for any replies in advance.

Sorry......in my post about forcing cone questions, I forgot to add the serial number of the Model 19-3. It is 9K95301 which I think puts it shipping around 1976 give or take.

The .357 k frames had forcing cone problems with 125 gr .357 magnum loads . You are ok using 158 gr magnum and all .38 spl loads

Here's a good read on the subject from Gunblast: Use of Magnum Loads in S&W Model 19 and Other K-Frame Magnums

Suggest you peruse it and use the search function here -- much discussed issue with enough reading to make your eyes bleed.

Hi forum,

Many thanks to Hapworth for the excellent lead to the article from Gunblast. As he stated...........it was a great read and pretty much settled the issue for me. To see the article dated some 10 years ago is also a very good tell tale that like we all know.....Messr's Smith & Wesson made great pieces, and still do.

yea..........your eyes do bleed a little, but maybe that will make filling out the IRS stuff a little less intimidating this year.