Model 19-3 with cracked forcing cone. Any Help?

A

AFARR

Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2009
Messages
39
Reaction score
2
I have a 6" 19-3 with a Cracked Forcing Cone.

In doing a bit of research, it looks like S & W don't have parts anymore. I'd hate to have a nice revolver go to waste if I can't find a replacement barrel.

So:

What are the best places to look for a replacement? (I'd like a 4", 6" would be next choice, and finally 2.5"). I know they are likely to be a bit difficult to find, but I can wait a bit.

Is my above statement true (S & W are out of parts), or is it possibly internet rumor--i.e. should I send it to them and let them tell me that directly?

Will any other barrels fit (from any other K frames)?

I believe this is pinned (pin through the frame just above the barrel and slightly in front of the forcing cone)? What models can I look for a replacement (19-X)? If I found a newer (non-pinned) barrel, can it work or be modified to work?

And, finally, what is the normal (rough estimate) for a gunsmith to replace the barrel if I bring the parts in with me?

Thanks!!

AFARR
 
Register to hide this ad
I have a 6" 19-3 with a Cracked Forcing Cone.

In doing a bit of research, it looks like S & W don't have parts anymore. I'd hate to have a nice revolver go to waste if I can't find a replacement barrel.

So:

What are the best places to look for a replacement? (I'd like a 4", 6" would be next choice, and finally 2.5"). I know they are likely to be a bit difficult to find, but I can wait a bit.

Is my above statement true (S & W are out of parts), or is it possibly internet rumor--i.e. should I send it to them and let them tell me that directly?

Will any other barrels fit (from any other K frames)?

I believe this is pinned (pin through the frame just above the barrel and slightly in front of the forcing cone)? What models can I look for a replacement (19-X)? If I found a newer (non-pinned) barrel, can it work or be modified to work?

And, finally, what is the normal (rough estimate) for a gunsmith to replace the barrel if I bring the parts in with me?

Thanks!!

AFARR
 
Welcome to the forum!

Funny you mention that as I had the chance a week ago to buy a 19-3 six inch with a cracked forcing cone here in PA for $200. As usual I was a day late and a dollar short.

I believe S&W is truly out of parts.

Post a want to buy ad in the classifieds here or look on ebay or gunbroker if nothing turns up on this forum.
 
S&W is out of M19 barrels.

A barrel from an M10, M13, M14, M15, M64, M65, or M66 can be fitted. A .38 Special barrel will need to have the barrel shank cut back, new forcing cone cut, and new front sight installed if a fixed sight. A replacement PPC heavy barrel and sight rib can also be fitted.

A non-pinned barrel will need to have the pin groove cut if you want the barrel pin reinstalled.
 
Duke,

Just call me the Day/Dollar guy.

Thanks for the help.

I'll keep my eyes open..

AFARR
 
I passed on that one, but sent the guy a couple links to Gun Broker,,, The barrels show up pretty regular, Just be patient and the one you want will show up for 50 bucks.

Peter
 
The guy who sold it sent me one of those links also--I kind of figured it was going to be a waiting/watching game.

The gun is nice for the $200. Someone did take the side plate off (marks at the edge and some buggering of the screws), but it works fine (other than the issues from the forcing cone). Finish is OK (finish wear some places).

I have a 6" Python, but wanted a 4" Smith also...and was looking on PAFOA and saw it. Figured it would be a good project (I haven't been out shooting in almost 7 months anyway, so it can sit if it has to).

Is the barrel change out something I can do myself? I can get feeler gauges (and a vice block) from Brownells, and could probably drift the pin out myself.

Thanks!!

AFARR
 
I have sometimes wondered if it is possible to repair a forcing cone. I understand that Freedom Arms offers a replacable forcing cone in their revolvers. Could the area on a Smith be machined out and a cone insert be fitted?
Maybe not enough meat on a S&W barrel?
I have no idea but I would contact one or more of the top smiths and inquire. Might also be something to get some of these smiths thinking about since those barrels are out of production and getting a bit harder to find as time goes on.
 
The S&W K magnums have a relatively small barrel shank and forcing cone, and it it not feasible to try fitting a replaceable f.c. If you look at the barrel shank of a K frame gun, you will see a flat spot at the 6 o'clock position. That is for clearing the gas ring on the cylinder, and is the weak point on the K frame shank. The L and N frame guns do not havef it.

I've done a couple repair jobs where the barrel shank was extended and the f.c. recut. It worked out okay in the .38 Special, but the .357 job did not hold up. The new f.c. split at the same place as the old one.
 
Originally posted by john traveler:
The S&W K magnums have a relatively small barrel shank and forcing cone, and it it not feasible to try fitting a replaceable f.c. If you look at the barrel shank of a K frame gun, you will see a flat spot at the 6 o'clock position. That is for clearing the gas ring on the cylinder, and is the weak point on the K frame shank. The L and N frame guns do not havef it.

I've done a couple repair jobs where the barrel shank was extended and the f.c. recut. It worked out okay in the .38 Special, but the .357 job did not hold up. The new f.c. split at the same place as the old one.
Click to expand...

John T., I was wondering how AFARR's gun would hold up if he just wanted to shoot light .38 Specials through it. Maybe still a good shooter?
 
An M19 with cracked forcing cone will continue to shoot mild lead bullet .38 Spls indefinitely as if nothing had happened. It may be thousands of rounds before anything negative shows up. Lead spitting or f.c. fouling for example.

Firing any more hot .357's is not advisable because they have two to three the muzzle energy of the mild .38 spl, and the crack will propagate rapidly.

By the way, this business of S&W K frame revolvers with cracked forcing cones did not start to show up until the middle-to-late 1960s, when high performance jacketed bullet ammunition like Super Vel started to become popular with revolver shooters. If you talk to an old-time police armorer, they will tell you that is also the time period when K frame .38 Special revolver cylinders first started showing up with bulged chambers too.
 
Is the Model 19 one of the new Legacy guns? If so, there may be new production barrels available from S&W.
 
There are Model 19 barrels out there, you just have to do some digging. I would post a WTB ad on the Classifieds here and also start contacting some of the old line gunsmithing businesses, especially if they built PPC guns back in the day. You might start with Frank Smith at Lone Star Guns in Commanche, TX. Frank has been a Smith warranty repair station for close to 30 years. I bet he can help you...
 
Originally posted by Wayne Dobbs:
There are Model 19 barrels out there, you just have to do some digging. I would post a WTB ad on the Classifieds here and also start contacting some of the old line gunsmithing businesses, especially if they built PPC guns back in the day. You might start with Frank Smith at Lone Star Guns in Commanche, TX. Frank has been a Smith warranty repair station for close to 30 years. I bet he can help you...
Click to expand...

Didn't know Frank was still around. When he sold his Plano store, I thought he retired. A couple years back the folks that bought that store had a fire, as I understand it, so I thought the spare parts supply Frank had was lost forever. Do you know if Frank still has any of the older parts supply in stock?

BTW Wayne - haven't seen much of you lately, hope all is well and good. Are you staying in the states full time now, done with the exotic locals?
 
Originally posted by SmithNut:
Originally posted by Wayne Dobbs:
There are Model 19 barrels out there, you just have to do some digging. I would post a WTB ad on the Classifieds here and also start contacting some of the old line gunsmithing businesses, especially if they built PPC guns back in the day. You might start with Frank Smith at Lone Star Guns in Commanche, TX. Frank has been a Smith warranty repair station for close to 30 years. I bet he can help you...
Click to expand...

Didn't know Frank was still around. When he sold his Plano store, I thought he retired. A couple years back the folks that bought that store had a fire, as I understand it, so I thought the spare parts supply Frank had was lost forever. Do you know if Frank still has any of the older parts supply in stock?

BTW Wayne - haven't seen much of you lately, hope all is well and good. Are you staying in the states full time now, done with the exotic locals?
Click to expand...

I talked to Mr. Smith about 2 weeks ago He fixed my Sigma trigger for me. His Number is over on the Gunsmith page for
Autos. Look for Free Sigma Trigger fix Thread.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

JHW
  • Locked
Sold/Withdrawn Smith Wesson Model 19-3, 15-2, 66-4, and 586-1
Replies
4
Views
2K
wheelyfun66
wheelyfun66
M
Let's talk 1970s K frame magnums
2 3
Replies
47
Views
4K
Riposte1
R
J
K-22 Masterpiece Questions
Replies
6
Views
631
Johan_vn
J
JHW
  • Locked
Sold/Withdrawn REDUCED Smith and Wesson Model 63-3 Boxed 1995 Pre-Lock PRE-MIM 4in ROUND BUTT
Replies
4
Views
3K
JHW
JHW
M
Model 66-1 2.5 vs Ruger Speed Six
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
whelenshooter
W

Latest posts

Back
Top