Ammo for 19-4 ?

[hi-power man]

I have decided to go back to my 19-4 as a primary CCW and put my 642 on secondary. Too many crazies moving into the area I typically travel around in. I am considering Winchester Silver Tip 147g but the owner of a LGS/range I frequent suggested 125g Hornady or Gold Dots. He believes the 125's put less stress/wear on the revolver. I think the 125's with higher velocity and energy would be more wearing. It may be a moot question since I don't plan on shooting hundreds of rounds but I do need to get familiar with the 19 again. Anyone have experience with these wearing a model 19 ? Would you suggest the 125's or 147's ?

 

[ma deuce]

Not speaking from personal experience, but I've been advised by lots of people on this forum and elsewhere that 125s should be avoided because they are the most prone to produce flame-cutting and split forcing cones. I stick to heavier weights in my 19-4.

 

[jakenov3]

ihave been informed to use 158gr.only. this is what the m-19 was made for. same goes for the m-66.

 

[BCDWYO]

If you go by the rule of practicing with what you carry (and practicing a lot!) then 125 grains isn't a great idea for a K-frame. You'd probably be fine if you carried the 125s for serious business and practiced with the 158s, but that might affect your point of aim accuracy slightly. Having said that, I only shoot or carry 158s or 38 sp +Ps in my K-frames.

 

[ma deuce]

Hi-Power, I'm assuming from your handle that you own at least one example of that fine pistol. I'm partial to them myself. You don't say what barrel length your 19 is, but have you considered your Hi-Power for carry? I know one or two guys who've used them for CCW for years.

 

[Hapworth]

Might put a search in -- lotta, LOTTA threads on the K-frame forcing cone issue (or non-issue, all depending); good .357 defense loads; and whether you might want to consider .38 instead of .357.

Won't waste the electrons rehashing, but will give my advice:

1) You're right about 125 grain .357 compared to higher grain, although after much research on the issue I'm comfortable it won't damage the 19; don't know what your LGS guy's smoking.

2) Haven't used the Silvertip, but it has gotten some positive attention in the Ammo forum here in the last week; suggest you look.

3) Go with a quality defensive .38 round; suggest Speer Gold Dot 135 grain Short Barrel or Buffalo Bore 158 grain standard or +P.

 

[hi-power man]

Hi-Power, I'm assuming from your handle that you own at least one example of that fine pistol. I'm partial to them myself. You don't say what barrel length your 19 is, but have you considered your Hi-Power for carry? I know one or two guys who've used them for CCW for years.

Yes I do. In fact, I carried an HP for a few years but stashed it away after I had some surgery on my shooting hand, right. I spent a lot of time and still do shooting with my left hand using my right eye. Looks funny but it works. That's when I picked up the 642. As the citi crazies prowl farther into the rural area where I live, I decided to go with something with higher energy.

3) Go with a quality defensive .38 round; suggest Speer Gold Dot 135 grain Short Barrel or Buffalo Bore 158 grain standard or +P.

I looked up the spec's for the BB 158 loads. Thanks for pointing them out. I'm gloing to order a couple boxes of the +P version and see how they shoot.

Thanks to all who responded.

 

[rifleman357]

I use the BB 158 +P in my 2" 64 as well as my 2 1/2 66. Not too hard to handle and has good energy numbers.

Spare ammo are .357 Silvertips for the 66 and Federal Nyclad 158s for the 64 in speed strips. I'd use the BBs for that too but for the exposed lead.... Am thinking of using BB 125s for spare for the 64 but it may be too much of a different point of aim... need to check that at the range....

Good luck.

 

[chief38]

If I were to carry a M19 .357 magnum I would more than likely load it with 158 grain .357 Magnums. If your time is spent mainly indoors and you are concerned with over penetration, the Buffalo Bore 158 grain LSWCHP-GC +P .38 special would be a perfect choice.

I never cared much for the 125 grain bullets. I always liked a slower moving heavier projectile. I also like that the158's tend to shoot exactly where you aim and the 125's usually shoot low.

No matter which load you wind up using, shot placement is still number one.

Chief38

 

[mtncat]

Last time I looked at the stat's. the 125 grain JHP .357 mag. is still at the top of the list as far as one shot stops go!
My 6" model 19 that I carried for a number of years has had at the very least 3,000 of these through it and has no major issues. That number is based on 50 duty rounds fired every month for 5 years. That does not include the number fired in both competition and instructor classes during that same time period that required "duty rounds" I would guess the number is well over 5,000 During that same time period I used this same model 19 in other competitions using both heavy and light reloads.
If I recall correcty the gas cut will occur but at a particular depth will stop. Would have to go back through a ton of S&W manuals to see exactly where that info. came from.
Why re-invent the wheel? Practice with and carry what is proven to work!