Was this done on the 19 just to strengthen the barrel?

I believe the ejector rod shroud was present on the Model 19 to add weight since the revolver was chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge. The Models 14 and 15 are target revolvers and the extra weight was not needed or desired.

Bill

I would guess that model 15s used as carry guns were getting bent ejector rods

The 14 and 15 predate the 19. The shroud was something that Bill Jordan, the guiding light of the 19 requested. And like the previous poster said, probably to add weight up front. Up till that point, most of the S&Ws didn't have the shroud as I recall. The model 13s don't have shrouds but they do have bull barrels, like the 58 in 41 Mag.

It was always S&W's intentions, to please target shooters, that their various K frame target revolvers would be as close in weight as possible. The Models 14, 16, and 17 ended up within a couple of ounces of each other. Adding a shroud would have created problems with weight.

They DID make a model 14FL ( full lug)

if you see one, buy it. They are going high now.

Yep, like this:

Where do I send the check?????

I seem to remember you posting TWO pics another time....

you holdin out, or do I have the wrong guy??

Unless you use your Model 15 as a club, or drop it, I cannot see any issue with the exposed ejector rod.

Although I am waiting for a new rod for my friends Model 19 that he bought a couple of weeks ago with a bent ejector rod.

That shroud doesn't do much good if you drop it with the cylinder open.

Over 45 years of carrying and shooting K frames and I have never damaged a ejector rod.

I must be doing something wrong....

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Take your time..quickly.

If I was holding out, I would have just shown this picture to give you a little peek:



But I do like the full lug K frames......

Yup! Your the guy!!! Tortured me a few months ago when I saw those pictures...

Nipster,

Try the NEW Model 15. It's a .38 Special Model 19 (with the shroud).

I always liked the lines of the Combat Masterpiece. When I heard that S&W re-introduced the Model 15, I was happy, until I saw what they did to the piece.

Smith & Wesson

No thanks delete

Zelda,

The 15-2 snub is one of the BEST snubs out there!!! I wish I would've bought one that was done in a R/B instead of the S/B that you always see.

This one had the hammer bobbed and the frame round butted. Neat guns! Enjoy.

The best round for these (and any other .38) is the Remington 158gr LSWCHP +P (AKA: Chicago or FBI Load).

I believe the Chicago PD still issues this round today for their guys/gals that carry the wheelgun. They first issued it in 1975. Pretty good 'Felon Repellent'!

You are correct-kinda like putting a full lug barrel on a 22

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Forum consigliere

The Model 14 and 15 (K-38 Masterpiece and Combat Masterpiece) preceeded the Model 19. The 19 (Combat Magnum) is a modification or adaptation of these earlier models. The barrel shroud was specifically requested/recommended by Bill Jordan when lobbying S&W to manufacture a K Frame .357 Magnum. The reason was simply for added weight, it does not add strength to the barrel in any way.

Ya mean kinda like the 3 lb weight they made to hang off the bottom of the model 41's?

I remember reading somewhere that Bill Jordan requested that the shroud should be added to the Combat Magnum "in case someone bumped their head on the barrel." It was in a history article about how that gun came about,, but I have long forgotten which article.

rat