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.