Durability of new crane mounted lock K frames? 66-8 or 19 classic
Just wondering if anybody has a lot of rounds down range including a significant number of magnum rounds to comment or observe what the durability is of the new design locking system that dispenses with the center pin and ejector locking and does it with the new locking system on the crane?
I would also like to know if anybody has an opinion yet also based on shooting experience about how much more durable the fully round forcing cone is Vs the old truncated on the bottom forcing cones common in earlier 357 K frames.
I know most people don't feed their K frames a steady diet of hot 357 ammo, as they were never inteded for it. But if anybody does for the new design I am curious as to how much if at all the design changes help with that based on actual observation Vs our speculation on what it will do.
03RN on ARFCOM has run a BUNCH of 158 grain handloads through his 2-3/4” 66-8. We’re talking thousands. He did get the end shake corrected recently but that’s to be expected with a steady diet of full power magnums. Otherwise I believe it’s been fine. His preferred load is a healthy dose of Enforcer with 158gr SWC’s.
I bought a new 66 the other year and have been using it quite heavily. It mostly sees 160Gr HPs at 1150 FPS but its seen a good bit of maxed out H110 loads with the same bullet or heavier. Forcing cone still looks new. Probably have a 3-4K through it at the moment. Been a great gun.