6 Degree cut on 19-4 forcing cone

[Dicem]

I just had a 4" barrel replaced on my 19-4 with a nice used one from a 19-3. The Gunsmith I used, in an earlier life, use to do the S&W's for LAPD. He set the timing and cylinder gap which I would think is normal during a barrel replacement, but he also re-cut the forcing cone angle to 6 degrees. He said that this will make the accuracy better and will live with .357's. Has anyone heard of this? I have an old RG 38 special with a 6" barrel that I checked today and it has a similar angle.

 

[BruceM]

I've never heard of a 6 degree forcing cone cut. It's common for some smiths to re-cut a forcing cone to 11 degrees especially if a lot of cast bullets are used though. Maybe somebody else on the board can shed some light on the 6 degree angle.

Bruce

 

[steelslaver]

Here is a thread by a guy who went to 5 degrees

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/355811-5-degree-forcing-cone-results.html

I think good timing and a good lap of the forcing cone is more of a factor.

 

[chief38]

I honestly never measured the angle of a stock S&W forcing cone but I did cut two of them to 11º on two Colt Revolvers 30 years ago. At the time I read and believed too many gun rag articles!

Anyway, I truthfully noticed NO real differences except I was out the cost of the tools. Seriously, the guns did not show any substantial leading decrease, they were no more accurate, and pretty much a waste of time & effort for me. Since I did those two revolvers 30 years ago I have NOT repeated the procedure on any other guns.

To me, I think it's one of those things that looks good and reasonable on paper but in reality means little in real life. If others here have done it and see any great difference - more power to them. Remember ......... competition shooting (like many other sports) are part "head game". If doing something minor "helps you" shoot better, then I suppose it might be worth it.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I think the factory is 18 degrees. I recut mine to 11 degrees because that is the cutter I have. I don't think there is any magic angle, either for forcing cone or muzzle crown. It just has to be concentric to the bore. Many of both are not. If the f/c is done right to begin with, recutting does nothing. If it's too small, off center, rough, out of round, or a combination of those, then the cutter will do some good.

 

[-db-]

Perhaps the thinking is that a minimal angle may reduce the possibility of cracking a .357 Mag. K-frame barrel.

 

[992B]

Go with the 11 degree forcing cone angle as it is good with all bullets, both cast and jacketed. Gary