Crack in barrel cone?

[shil]

In looking closely at the picture, I do see evidence of forcing cone erosion and the outer edge of the erosion has completely covered the flat spot at the bottom of the barrel shank. My guess is this Model 19 has seen plenty of full power 125 grain loads during its life.

I cracked the forcing cone of my own Model 19 years ago. The culprit was Winchester 125 grain, factory. Crack developed with fewer than 250 rounds. I've learned since that that load was notoriously hard on Model 19 forcing cones. Smith and Wesson replaced the barrel with no questions. That was then. I subsequently bought a 686 to scratch the .357 itch and semi-retired my 19. It's too nice a revolver for me to risk breaking again.

 

[BoulderTroll]

I cracked the forcing cone of my own Model 19 years ago. The culprit was Winchester 125 grain, factory. Crack developed with fewer than 250 rounds. I've learned since that that load was notoriously hard on Model 19 forcing cones. Smith and Wesson replaced the barrel with no questions. That was then. I subsequently bought a 686 to scratch the .357 itch and semi-retired my 19. It's too nice a revolver for me to risk breaking again.

Why not continue to enjoy it, just using 38's instead?

 

[shil]

Brain damage. I have an aversion to firing .38 Special in a .357 Magnum chamber. My plan was to handload .357 cases to .38 levels with lead bullets but I never quite got there. I have a pre-Model 15, a Model 10, and a Model 14 with which to play with .38 Special. The Model 19, when used, gets handloaded lower-level .357 Magnum 158 jacketed or Speer 135s