19-3 bullet usage.

[foxtail]

I have 19-3 Texas Ranger collectable revolver. I have read numerous reports on the forcing cone failure if 158 grain magnum bullets are not used. My question is: If I use smaller bullets in 38 special or mild loads is ther still a problem? I have 100 gr. plated round nose that I shoot in my 38 snubby. I also load 115 gr. in 38 special. I reload with unique 4.9 gr. If I load these in 357 light load can I expect a problem? From the posts I have read it is only high velosity light bullets that cause the problem. Is that a correct assumption?

Side note: I like classic cars that I can drive and classic guns that I can shoot. Cars in garages and guns in safes are not for me. So please don't ask me to put the gun in the safe to protect it, if it fails it will become a safe queen.

 

[Art Doc]

#76 from the FAQs.


K Frame S&Ws with .357 Magnum ammo?

76. There are many stories about Model 19s cracking the forcing cones. Actual guns observed failing in this fashion are relatively few. But it does happen. One police armorer stated that he saw a number of such failures and noted that all of the guns were dirty. His theory is that accumulated carbon deposits can create “hot spots” that may damage the barrel upon firing (so keeping the barrel spotlessly clean might eliminate the problem). He observed that several of the guns failed using 158 grain 357 ammo and one M19 cracked from using .38 Special ammo which sort of undermines the popular belief that it is the hot 125 grain Magnum loads causing the problem. I have noticed that a large percentage (certainly most if not a preponderance) of the failed guns were 19-5s. These were crush-fit barrels rather than the earlier pinned models. I suspect that these new barrels were often defective in material or installation, causing the cracking. Indeed, numerous reports of crushed fit &SW barrels experiencing other problems have surfaced supporting the notion of the barrels being suspect. I have a 2.5” M19-3 made in 1970 and carried by a federal officer for 18 years. When I bought it, he said it had never been fired with anything other than 125 grain full Magnum loads and that’s all I shoot in it. So far, no problems.

 

[foxtail]

Thanks for your input.