I've seen pictures of cracked forcing cones on Colt Pythons. Again, never seen one of those in person. I do recall hearing about a Ruger Six series being damaged by hot handloads. I don't know about Taurus. Perhaps they don't last long enough to destroy by shooting them.
Just kidding.
In fact the only cracked forcing cone I've ever personally seen was on a 19 snub belonging to member Panamajack. He dropped it off at my gunsmith for repair and my gunsmith showed it to me. Only one my gunsmith had ever seen in person. I don't recall what dash it was.
Most of the alleged problems seem to occur in 19-5's. The first of the crush fit barrels. There was a batch of barrels with manufacturing defects that were initially pulled from the production line, then later used. I suspect that this contributed to the alleged issue.
There have been cracked forcing cones in just about every dash number of the model 19. Butch Kent did some research on that topic, IIRC.
Poor maintenance and use of hot handloads - or shooting hot factory jacketed 357's after shooting alot of lead rounds - AND not cleaning - you can probably bust up any revolver.
A K-magnum is a mechanical device and as with any mechanical device they wear with use. Like all other mechanical devices, K-frame magnums (and all handguns) need maintenance periodically. Proper cleaning, inspection for excessive wear, ect. That said, I shoot alot more than most and I've yet to wear one out or damage it to any degree. The 4 inch 66-2 that I previously mentioned I've almost shot loose coming closest.
I've seen 19's and a 66 that were "shot loose". Mostly from hot handloads. I've seen one stretched frame on a 19. Same thing - hot handloads. It wouldn't stay timed.
I've come across bulged cylinders in all sorts of revolvers. You can't hold prior owners stupidity against the manufacturer, IMO.
FWIW, I read a post on another board from a fellow named Winchester73. He claimed that back in the day, S&W took a model 66 and fired 250,000 rounds of 125 grain 357 through it. They cleaned it at regular intervals during this test. (he doesn't mention how often) At the end of the test the revolver was fine. It had wear, but still functioned and timed properly. I'd be interested in reading more details about that excercise. Regards 18DAI


In fact the only cracked forcing cone I've ever personally seen was on a 19 snub belonging to member Panamajack. He dropped it off at my gunsmith for repair and my gunsmith showed it to me. Only one my gunsmith had ever seen in person. I don't recall what dash it was.
Most of the alleged problems seem to occur in 19-5's. The first of the crush fit barrels. There was a batch of barrels with manufacturing defects that were initially pulled from the production line, then later used. I suspect that this contributed to the alleged issue.
There have been cracked forcing cones in just about every dash number of the model 19. Butch Kent did some research on that topic, IIRC.
Poor maintenance and use of hot handloads - or shooting hot factory jacketed 357's after shooting alot of lead rounds - AND not cleaning - you can probably bust up any revolver.
A K-magnum is a mechanical device and as with any mechanical device they wear with use. Like all other mechanical devices, K-frame magnums (and all handguns) need maintenance periodically. Proper cleaning, inspection for excessive wear, ect. That said, I shoot alot more than most and I've yet to wear one out or damage it to any degree. The 4 inch 66-2 that I previously mentioned I've almost shot loose coming closest.
I've seen 19's and a 66 that were "shot loose". Mostly from hot handloads. I've seen one stretched frame on a 19. Same thing - hot handloads. It wouldn't stay timed.
I've come across bulged cylinders in all sorts of revolvers. You can't hold prior owners stupidity against the manufacturer, IMO.
FWIW, I read a post on another board from a fellow named Winchester73. He claimed that back in the day, S&W took a model 66 and fired 250,000 rounds of 125 grain 357 through it. They cleaned it at regular intervals during this test. (he doesn't mention how often) At the end of the test the revolver was fine. It had wear, but still functioned and timed properly. I'd be interested in reading more details about that excercise. Regards 18DAI