I Killed a K frame

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panamajack310

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Well I finally did it. I have a model 19-4 that my dad bought for me in 1990. I have used the thing as a back up gun my whole law enforcement carrer, since 1995. I went to qualify tonight. I fired 3 cylinders thru it and the cylinder would not open up and would not close. I broke it down cleaned the gun really well and tried to open and close the cylinder again. Upon closer inspection by a S&W revolver armor they found the cylinder was warped and slightly bulged. SO...you can ruin a K frame with 158gr. .357 mag ammo.
 
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Well I finally did it. I have a model 19-4 that my dad bought for me in 1990. I have used the thing as a back up gun my whole law enforcement carrer, since 1995. I went to qualify tonight. I fired 3 cylinders thru it and the cylinder would not open up and would not close. I broke it down cleaned the gun really well and tried to open and close the cylinder again. Upon closer inspection by a S&W revolver armor they found the cylinder was warped and slightly bulged. SO...you can ruin a K frame with 158gr. .357 mag ammo.
 
pj310 - sorry to hear but like LD said, better at the range than up against the bad guy

NOTE - a month ago or so a member had a 19 blue and nickel cylinder for sale in the classifieds.
I'll try and find it for you
 
panamajack310, If you send it to S&W & tell them it is your duty gun I'll bet they will fix it. Thanks Frank
 
panamajack, be it is a 19-4, it should be a recessed cylinder. I dought S&W can do anything for you.

However if you are interesred in fixing it, I have a recessed cylinder. It's yours if you want it. Just email me your address and I'll send it to you.

Steve
 
I don't want anything for it. I own no K-frames and have no use for it.

It will cost you enough, if you have to have it fitted to your gun. May be a timing issue and you will have to have a gunsmith time the cyl. to your gun.

The cyl. has the extractor but no rod.

Steve
 
I had a pinned and recessed 19 sent to Smith once that needed a cylinder, and they fit a new cylinder on it for me.
 
Yes please I am picking up a 2.5" mod 19 in a few days and i dont want to ruin it. i was going to be using 158grn loads but now i'm wondering?
 
Something is funny here. Maybe those were hot handloads? A cylinder that was improperly heat-treated?

In 2.5 or three-inch .357's on a medium frame, think about using 140 grain bullets to get good velocity. In a J-frame or small Ruger, recoil may be prohibitive.
 
If the loads were hot than the Winchester company loaded them hot...I only use factory new rounds, I never have used a reload in any of my revolvers.I do not reload my own rounds for the fear that I will ruin a gun...For duty carry I carry Winchester 357 Magnum
158 gr. Super-X® JHP
..I practice with Walmart 100 round packs of Winchester 158 gr. FMJ..I only shoot .357 mag. 2 times a year for qualification..200 rounds per year are .357 mag. the rest are .38 spl FMJ's..never had anything less than 158 gr. or a +p in the revolver since I have had it.
I have only used 158 gr. because of all the horror stories of using anything less cracking the forcing cone. I guess the cylinder has just had it.
 
Stupid question time, but have you contacted S&W to see if they can help? I think your chances might be good being that it was a factory produced round, and that you are an LEO.

Best of luck,

Dave
 
Smith and Wesson has a lifetime guarantee.If they are unable to repair it they will replace the gun for you.My 640 barrel separated and frame cracked using 38 cal factory loads in a j frame that was a .357 magnum.I amm sure if you tell them you are a LEO,that it was your duty gun + that it happened with factory loads they will make good on it.....All the Best...God Bless...and Thank You for the job you do...
Mike
 
panamajack310,

Call smith and save that ammo. Factory ammo can be double loaded at times and I suspect you have a few more in the box.

My 2 cents.
Patrick
 
Lets not write off the model 19 based on one experience. A warped cylinder ? Something is wrong here. Sounds like your .357 ammo diet was reasonable and minimal enough, even for the K frame. Either extra hot loaded ammo that slipped thru quality control, or a poor cylinder that slipped thru quality control that day. Like was said before, send the gun and the ammo used (from the same lot) back to S&W with a letter of explanation.
 
Originally posted by panamajack310:
Well I finally did it. I have a model 19-4 that my dad bought for me in 1990. I have used the thing as a back up gun my whole law enforcement carrer, since 1995. I went to qualify tonight. I fired 3 cylinders thru it and the cylinder would not open up and would not close. I broke it down cleaned the gun really well and tried to open and close the cylinder again. Upon closer inspection by a S&W revolver armor they found the cylinder was warped and slightly bulged. SO...you can ruin a K frame with 158gr. .357 mag ammo.
Click to expand...

panamajack, The cylinder is on it's way.

I don't know about the others here, but I for one would give up a gun my dad bought for me.

Hope everything works out.

Steve
 
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