Hi, new to the forum

I picked up a used model 19 yesterday and it says 38 special ctg on the barrel. When you open the cylinder on the frame the serial is cdp9xxx right under that there is a 19-8 and on the arm that holds the cylinder open it says 198. I've read a few threads on here talking about how smith never made the model 19 in 38 or that they will chamber 357. I haven't chambered a 357 round but the cylinder measures to 1 and 5/8 inches long. So my question is does anyone know any info on the revolver and can it shoot 357? Thanks
Has a 4 inch barrel

Welcome to the forum Ricky.

Your gun was manufactured in early 2000 by the serial # (CDY).

There is mention of a model 19-8 square butt with 2.5 or 4" barrel,
product code 148926 in the standard catalog.
No other information is given.

Personally, if I own a gun chambered for a specific round,
even if it will chamber another more powerful one, I will not
fire anything but what the gun was originally made for.
Stick to 38 Special and for hotter purposes use 38+P.

Hope this helps, good luck.

Allen Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Over the years S&W and other gun companies have made custom government orders with special finish, size and caliber. Some of these guns do not make it into history books until they end up in the civilian world.

The gun could have been issued to someone serving in an over sea post. If it does not chamber 357 mag ammo I would spend the money to get the S&W factory history letter. You might have something very rare.

Thanks any info is appreciated

Even though the square butt was discontinued in 1995 and the 19-8 wasn't introduced until 1998 SCSW3 shows a Model 19-8 .38 Special square butt 1 1/2" and 4" being manufactured in 2000. It also reports the Model 19 discontinued 1999, go figure.

If the gun chambers .357 freely there is no reason not to shoot it with .357 since the only difference would then be the barrel roll-mark.

There were Model 65 and 66 revolvers manufactured for various law enfircement agencies marked as .38 Special but still chambered for .357 Magnum, a political thing of course. Can't say about your 19-8, try .357 in it and let us know.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

IMO, worth a letter.

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You do what you are.

Just got back from the store, got some 357s and 38 special. Both will chamber in the gun the same! I'm assuming it will fire the 357 with no problems. What do y'all think?

I would shoot it.

Has the barrel been replaced? I had a HE Model of 1905; the serial number matched in all the right places except the barrel flat, which had no number at all. The cylinder was in 38 SPL and had not been bored out to accept that cartridge. The barrel stamp was 38 S&W and the barrel was a different hue than the frame. This was obviously not the original barrel.

It doesn't look like the barrel was replaced, but i don't know for sure. I don't see any kind of serial number on the barrel.

Hey Rickyyy
Here are two model 19-8s that have 38 Spl on the barrel but they will chamber a 357 round!

These two model 19-8s, #CDN2xxx & CDR2xxx, are product code #148926. They were production over guns for an order of guns made for the country of Brazil. Both of these have a round butt.
jcelect SWCA#LM723

Have you fired 357 in them or know anyone who has? My only fear is the gun blowing up...

Sorry Rickyyy, those two 19s are unfired! If your gun will chamber a 357 mag round, IMHO it will handle them just fine! The model 19 was design and built to shoot 357 mags. "The name has been changed to protect the innocent!"
jcelect SWCA#LM723

So I was just reading about how s&w stopped making 357 mag revolvers in a k-frame. Read that the k-frame was meant for 158 grain 357s and 38 special, but modern ammo would crack the forcing cone.
So I have a theory: they put "38 special ctg" on the barrel of my model 19 so it wouldnt get 357 mag fired out of it and would last longer.

Here is another of the 19-8 marked 38 Special. It was my understanding that these guns were made for a foreign order that required 38 Spl and that the overruns were bored out for 357 Mag to be sold for the domestic market. Don't think the markings had anything to do with making the gun last longer.

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John. SWCA #1586

So you think the one I have is fine to shoot the 357?

I don't think you would have a bit of trouble with 357, just use the heavier bullet weights and not the light high velocity ammo. This is advised with all K-frame 357's.

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John. SWCA #1586

IMG_0093.jpg
the more golden one is a 38 special and the more silver one is a 357 mag.

Well I went to the range today, and the guy at the sign in counter advised me not to shoot the 357 mag out of my gun. So I rented a ruger gp100 to shoot those off. I must say the 38 special is quite tame compared to the 357 mag. And after all the warnings of my gun not being able to handle the 357 and seeing how powerful it is I'm not about to shoot it in my gun. BUT I will be looking at 357 revolvers here soon after my 30 day period ends from this last purchase. Thanks to all that gave input
Ricky