I have never shot 357 out of this revolver. It shoots 38 fine but I’m concerned that it looks like it may not like that compared to new 357 revolvers etc.

Has anyone done this Amd what is your experience. And yes I know it was made for 357.

Thanks in advance

Nothing wrong with shooting magnum loads in a M19 of any dash number. Just avoid lightweight bullets at full powder loads, like 110 and 125 JHP's. Seems like they are the usual culprit when a forcing cone cracks. That said, my M19-3 (1974) has had a pretty varied diet, with quite a few 125 gr JHP's out the pipe, and no cracked cone. I tend to download my magnum ammo now, and shoot only 140 or 158 grain bullets at 1150-1250 fps range.

For plinking and target shooting, shoot .38s. For a carry weapon practice some with magnums and carry same.

That ^^^^^

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The best I can with what I got

I just bought 1500 125grain copper RN. I reload with Bullseye or VN310. Do you have a recommended load?

Those are both very fast-burning powders, part of the issue with the lightweight bullets and forcing cone cracks. I mostly use Alliant Power Pro 300-MP for my .357 loads. It's a slower burning powder, designed for magnum pistol cartridges. Alternatively, I have used Accurate #9, which is a bit faster, or Win 296, a little slower than AA#9.

Starting loads for a 125 bullet and AA9 would be 11.8 o 11.9 gr.
For Win 296, 16.8 gr., and for Power Pro 300-MP about 18 gr.

Plenty of threads here on the forcing cone cracking issue, which is associated with bullets of less than 140 grains weight being propelled by slow burning, colloidal ball powders. These days, for a 4 inch K-frame 357, you might want to use 357 ammo designed for short barrel revolvers. These are reduced power 357 Magnum loads, consider them to be a 38 Special +P++ or 357 Magnum -P.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA