Model 19, 2 1/2" bbl, .357 Magnum (?) Not Enough Info, but Curious

[Fountain]

A friend just got a gun today, and wants to know what she bought. I was given the info in the subject line, didn't have time to go look at it, and referred my friend.

I saw a poor photo earlier, and it looks like a Model 19. It has a short bbl (probably 2 1/2"), adjustable rear sight, and rounded wood grips.

She was told it is a 19-3, and sent me the number 5K72xxx.

Now there's conflicting information. I understood that it was a .357 magnum, but my friend (the woman purchaser) was told she shouldn't shoot +P loads from it.

I'll get to see the gun some time in the next few weeks, and I can get more "identifiers". When I do, I'll share, so the experts can confirm the lineage.

In the mean-time, 'will appreciate knowing if the above number is a proper serial number.

Thanx,

 

[The Kid]

If it's a 19 it's a 357. If it's a 357 she can shoot any 38 load you can buy. End of story. Idiots can work in gunshops too.

 

[Ashlander]

The gun dates back to 1973. I suspect your girl friend was told to shoot .38 Special Plus P either to reduce recoil or to save the gun from the stresses of a steady diet of .357 Magnum. While the K-frame Model 19 will handle magnum loads, when I was young in 1973, the common wisdom, right or wrong, was that the gun was designed with the expectation that most shooters would do the majority of their practice sessions with .38 Special and save the .357 Magnum for duty.

The later L-frame guns, which are a bit more beefy, were designed for a more steady diet of magnum loads.

 

[rog8732]

Sounds like the advice may have been for the woman, not the revolver.

 

[CajunBass]

Sounds like the advice may have been for the woman, not the revolver.

If the advice was for the woman, not the revolver, it was still wrong.

Now there's conflicting information. I understood that it was a .357 magnum, but my friend (the woman purchaser) was told she shouldn't shoot +P loads from it.

Emphasis added.

There seems to be this myth that P+ 38 special ammo is the hammer of Thor or something and probably should be stored in a concrete bunker, buried under Mount Weather or something.

I don't know why anyone would tell anyone, man or woman, not to use P+ 38 ammo, in a gun chambered for 357 Magnum. Ok. I can understand limiting the use of hot 357's, but 38's? Come on now. There isn't even a big difference in the recoil, certainly not in a K-frame sized revolver.

Now, I don't shoot a lot of P+ 38's in my Model 19/66's (or anything else), but that's because I'm too cheap to spring for that stuff. I see no sense in paying top dollar for something with a P+ on the label, when all I'm doing is punching a hole in a piece of paper.

 

[BAM-BAM]

A lot of us think the +P .38 with a good hollow point is a better self defense load than a .357 out of a short barrel.........

less recoil =s a faster followup shot

.357 out of a short barrel loses a lot and........ gives you a lot of flash and boom.


+P isn't a step down from .357 it's IMO what a .38special should be.......maybe even use to be........in the early 1930s before the .357.... there was a "heavy duty" .38 police load......the name escapes me at the moment..............??????????????

By the way your friend got a great gun...........

 

[mj2008]

If it's a 19-3 it certainly is a great gun.

 

[Ashlander]

.357 Magnum is about twice as powerful as a standard .38 special cartridge; 35,000 psi vs 17,000 psi. .38 Special Plus P is just a warm version of .38 Special; 20,000 psi vs 17,000.

 

[BAM-BAM]

PSI isn't the only measure to consider........velocity, mass/weight of the bullet, bullet expansion and energy transfer all play a role in effectiveness of a round.

For example.........

"ballistics by the inch"..

158 gr .357 magnum out of a 2" barrel 858 f/s ...1100 out of a 3"..........1465 f/s out of a 6" barrel

130gr Fed Hydra-shok out of a 2" barrel 919 f/s....1194 out of a 3"..........1662 f/s out of a 6" barrel


.38s.......

135gr gold dot HP out of a 3" barrel is 892 f/s.........1115 F/s out of a 6" barrel

110gr Corbon 963 f/s out of a 3" barrel


.38s aren't magnums.....but .357 magnums don't preform to their fullest out of short barrels...........twice the PSI doesn't give twice the velocity ..........

 

[rog8732]

If the advice was for the woman, not the revolver, it was still wrong.



Emphasis added.



I don't know why anyone would tell anyone, man or woman, not to use P+ 38 ammo, in a gun chambered for 357 Magnum. Ok. I can understand limiting the use of hot 357's, but 38's?

Perhaps I can make MY point a little more clear. The O P says the lady does not KNOW what she bought ! You, I, and most on this S&W forum presumably know what a model 19 is. They have been around after all, since 1955 in one variation or other. None of us outside the O P know the particulars of the Mdl. 19 buyer.

When the nice lady does not know what she bought it gives me a hint she is getting her first firearm. If that is the case, perhaps the dealer was not quite such an idiot, and suggested she begin shooting with less than +p ammo until she is accustomed to snubby muzzle blast and recoil.

If, perhaps a large if, she, (or anyone) is just getting into shooting, it is most often suggested you start with .22 and work your way up.

As to the gun itself I have no question it will hold up to any factory .38 special loads longer than most of us will be around to pull the trigger.
The early 19s were actually more "beefy" in the yoke / crane area than regular K frames, and I guess that is the case on up to it's demise in 1999.

 

[xray 99]

I dated a woman who owned a revolver that she could only describe as a ".38." I assumed it was a Taurus or Rossi, given her limited knowledge of guns. Imagine my suprise when I discovered it was a mint, second generation Colt Agent.

 

[BobR1]

I have a neighbor lady who has a first year production K22 new in the box. Got it after her dad passed away. You never know what is around. We had a Hawkin Rifle show up 30 years ago that was real. It had been in a family passed down forever.

Bob

 

[Rick_A]

On the magnum vs +p debate, 150-200 fps is a significant difference, whether talking handguns or long guns. Kinda like the .40S&W vs 9mm debate (seems the 9mm vs 45 has quieted down momentarily), if you can handle the cartridge in the particular firearm it may be worth it.

Sounds like she got a great one. +P out of a gun that heavy is not a significant difference from a standard load, unless we're talking about the report on firing. 357 Magnum will certainly be a different story, especially out of a round butt with wood stocks.

 

[Fountain]

Perhaps I can make MY point a little more clear. The O P says the lady does not KNOW what she bought ! <snip>

When the nice lady does not know what she bought it gives me a hint she is getting her first firearm. <snip>

If, perhaps a large if, she, (or anyone) is just getting into shooting, it is most often suggested you start with .22 and work your way up.

As to the gun itself I have no question it will hold up to any factory .38 special loads longer than most of us will be around to pull the trigger.
<snip>

'Appreciate your perception. The lady didn't know exactly what she bought, and was able to identify the gun as a 19-3. it's not quite her first gun, but close. My wife and I accompanied her to her CCW class; she was terribly gunshy, but recognized the need to learn to shoot, and to carry. Her work takes her into some less-than-desirable areas.

Since she was going to carry I started her with my LCR .22. She picked that up very quickly. She wanted something with more horsepower, but the 38 sp LCR (13 1/2 oz) was too snappy. And she didn't like the trigger on my Ruger SP101. But she really likes the looks, feel, and trigger on the 19-3. I think she has found her "carry" weapon.

Thanx

 

[CH4]

Idiots can work in gunshops too.

Yes, they can, and unfortunately they do. Most gun shops have at least one pontificating moron on the payroll.

 

[Alk8944]

Yes, they can, and unfortunately they do. Most gun shops have at least one pontificating moron on the payroll.

Then maybe one of those "pontificating morons" was warning her to not shoot .357 +P. LOL

 

[gnappi]

Now there's conflicting information. I understood that it was a .357 magnum, but my friend (the woman purchaser) was told she shouldn't shoot +P loads from it.

Thanx,

There's nothing conflicting about the caliber of a S&W revolver, the caliber is stamped on the side of the barrel.