New model 19 "combat magnum

[Johnny Diamond]

Hey all I'm new here and it seemed like this was the place to come. 2 Christmas's ago, wife brought home a new blued 4 1/4" combat magnum, beautiful piece, I've always been a Ruger man (single action) so I had to research. Apparently there were issues in the past with 357 mag rounds....ie only use 38 special etc. I have found out barrels are now stainless steel and have other improvements. I have an old model Vaquero and a Marlin 1894, also a Rossi 92 all in 357 mag and reloaded for those hornady 158 xtp's starline brass cci small pistol primers 1258 fps from an 8" barrel should I be concerned [emoji45] ?

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[NY-1]

You'll probably be fine. The primary failure point of some past Model 19's occurred in the form of a crack at the 6-o'clock, flat portion of the forcing cone. The forcing cone in the new Model 19's have been beefed up and no longer have that flat section.

 

[Johnny Diamond]

Had read about that.

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[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums! Yes, the primary issue with the K-frame and 357 Magnum was the thin spot at the bottom of the forcing cone. The current production K-frame 357's have a multi-piece barrel and shroud system as well as a redesigned crane and front cylinder lock, all of which make the newer K-frame 357's more durable.

 

[cowboy4evr]

The biggest "destroyer " of K-frame 357's was the extended use of the lighter weight bullets-- 125gr bullets loaded on top of a max charge of H-110/W296 in a 357 magnum case . That's almost the max charge for the 41 magnum using a 210 bullet and the 41 is in an N-frame , much heavier and stouter built .
It was designed to shoot 158 gr or heavier bullets . If you stick with those weights , you will wear out before the gun does . I have owned and shot ONLY 357's in my K-frame 357's and never a problem , after more rounds than I care to count . Good luck , have fun . Regards Paul

 

[John Patrick]

As mentioned, it’s the shorter, lighter bullets in full power 357 loads that initially caused the issue when police departments across the country changed from using 38spl practice ammo for practice to using issue ammo for oractice, with the hot 125gr loads being the apparent cause of the great majority of cracked frames.

Your 158gr loads, assuming they’re book loads, should be fine.

 

[Johnny Diamond]

Thanks everyone, yes I don't recall pressure numbers but there within Sammi (current not early) specs think I'll be happy to have joined you all.

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[stansdds]

It's not that the light weight bullets were at or above SAAMI specified safe pressure levels, it's that it takes a huge volume of very slow burning, colloidal ball powder to propel the 110 and 125 grain bullets to maximum velocity. There are various theories on exactly what happens, but it is clear that there is a lot of forcing cone erosion with significant use of these loads. The erosion certainly makes that flat spot even thinner and more prone to cracking.

 

[Johnny Diamond]

That was my impression upon initial research, I've run into guys that have older combat magnum's and like a stubborn heifer.... nope only put 38s in it or it's your fault!

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[shocker]

Everything you need to know about the new Model 19.
The new S&W Model 19 Classic ~ A S&W Armorer's Review - YouTube

 

[Johnny Diamond]

I only load 158grn xtp I use Longshot (discussed load with manufacturer) 7.3grn fast burning powder. Good in my Marlin 1894 carbine and my 5 1/2" old model Vaquero also in snubby Taurus. My first thoughts were why would a reputable company like Smith and Wesson label a revolver. 357 magnum only to put only 38s it so when it came home I researched. And finally joined and came here thinking I would find the right answer. Thank you all again.
Johnny

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[Johnny Diamond]

Everything you need to know about the new Model 19.

The new S&W Model 19 Classic ~ A S&W Armorer's Review - YouTube

Shocker, that was part of my initial research, early on. I found it a large part in believing that the initial oh my goodness only use 38s stories to be unfounded for the new models.

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[murphydog]

The weak point of the older K frame .357s was the flat underside of the barrel forcing cone, thinner than on the .38 Specials due to a longer yoke. The current model 19’s barrel design eliminated this weak spot.

 

[Johnny Diamond]

The weak point of the older K frame .357s was the flat underside of the barrel forcing cone, thinner than on the .38 Specials due to a longer yoke. The current model 19’s barrel design eliminated this weak spot.

[emoji106]

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[Mike SC Hunter]

The biggest "destroyer " of K-frame 357's was the extended use of the lighter weight bullets-- 125gr bullets loaded on top of a max charge of H-110/W296 in a 357 magnum case . That's almost the max charge for the 41 magnum using a 210 bullet and the 41 is in an N-frame , much heavier and stouter built .
It was designed to shoot 158 gr or heavier bullets . If you stick with those weights , you will wear out before the gun does . I have owned and shot ONLY 357's in my K-frame 357's and never a problem , after more rounds than I care to count . Good luck , have fun . Regards Paul

Not really. I busted mine with 150 cast bullets and less than max charge of 2400. Gun never had/has a 125 bullet fired in it.

 

[Johnny Diamond]

Mike, is that old or new model?

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[stansdds]

Mike, is that old or new model?

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That's a pinned barrel and recessed chamber cylinder, so it's a Model 19 to Model 19-4.

 

[Johnny Diamond]

Thanks, still learning about Smith's .

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[cowboy4evr]

We don't know if he bought it new or used . Used it could already had too many 125gr loads and there was a weak spot already in the forcing cone . IF he bought it new , I would venture to say it was a problem in the metal right on the thin spot . It does happen .
I will tell you that I have had several K-frame 357's and I have shot a lot of 180 gr cast bullets using a max charge of H110 , they are still as tight as the day I bought them and no cracks on the thin spot . So I will still come back and say that the biggest " destroyer " of K-frame 357's was shooting 125 gr jacketed bullets over a max charge of H110 . It caused erosion of the forcing cone and would crack at the thin spot . Some have said they thought there was a build up of lead on the forcing cone causing extreme high pressure for a bullet to get past it , cracking the forcing cone . Maybe so . Regards Paul

 

[Johnny Diamond]

We don't know if he bought it new or used . Used it could already had too many 125gr loads and there was a weak spot already in the forcing cone . IF he bought it new , I would venture to say it was a problem in the metal right on the thin spot . It does happen .
I will tell you that I have had several K-frame 357's and I have shot a lot of 180 gr cast bullets using a max charge of H110 , they are still as tight as the day I bought them and no cracks on the thin spot . So I will still come back and say that the biggest " destroyer " of K-frame 357's was shooting 125 gr jacketed bullets over a max charge of H110 . It caused erosion of the forcing cone and would crack at the thin spot . Some have said they thought there was a build up of lead on the forcing cone causing extreme high pressure for a bullet to get past it , cracking the forcing cone . Maybe so . Regards Paul

Makes sense to me, bottom line my NEW combat magnum is a revised better made version of the classic and should handle 158grn bullets at or below sammi max without issues [emoji3].

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