I've read here somewhere that the S&W MDL 18-3 has no gas ring.
How much of a problem is that in regards to erosion on the extractor rod? It seems to me that there would be a downside to not having a gas ring.
Was there something else in place to mitigate the erosion that would naturally take place?
Thanks All

For a brief period, S&W deleted the gas ring from some K frames. The ones I have seen that were deleted were model 14's and 19's. There is no erosion to the extractor rod, as the gas is on the yoke, like a model 36 or other J frames.
The downside to NOT having the gas ring on the K frame is the cylinder becomes dirty and becomes hard to rotate after a time, especially if you are shooting cast bullets. Using spraying some Gunscruber into the cylinder (removed from the yoke) will clean the crud out.

Thanks retired2006.
Of course I should have known that the extractor rod wouldn't be subject to the hot gas on ignition of the cartridge. (I type faster than I think)(scary)
I'm mulling over the idea of buying a mdl 18. Seems like several that I've seen were -3's.
Should I shy away from any of the engineering changes because of one thing or another?
Thanks again.
Mike

scooterfiend:

I have an 18-3 on which the gas ring is part of the cylinder. My understanding is that, during the short period mentioned by retired2006, the part joined to the yoke was still called a "gas" ring; but in reality it wasn't, since it didn't serve the purpose of a gas ring, which is to keep firing residue from gumming up the cylinder.

Regardless, I think what you'll find is that some dash 3s, like mine, have the ring as part of the cylinder, and some which don't. If I'm correct, I would shop for the former.

Best wishes in your search,
Andy

Thanks, I'll check before buying.
You guys are a wealth of knowledge.