Model 19-3 Problem

[BE Mike]

This 19-3 revolver seems to not lock up on one or more charge holes. 6-10 rounds out of 100 didn't go bang. When I checked one round that didn't ignite, the primer had a very light hit, off center. The other primers had good deep hits. There is also evidence that the firing pin is enlarging the firing pin hole. I checked the ammo with my model 10-5 today and had no misfires. I'm thinking of sending the revolver back to S&W for repair, but I'm not sure about the quality of work there now on an old revolver. Does anyone have any feedback on the current quality of repair work on old S&W revolvers at the Performance Center?

 

[apollo99]

Sounds like a timing issue, they will send you a shipping label, assess and estimate you revolver, if you don't want the work done they will price gouge you on sending it back. If you do go ahead with the repair as quoted by them they will do a reasonably good job, you will get the gun back functioning as it should, but it will take about 4-5 months start to finish. So once you send the gun in with the free shipping you are hooked or you will be charged a hefty fee for the round trip and the estimate, but think or it as sending your revolver on a vacation to visit family and friends back in Massachusetts.

 

[Warren Sear]

I would bring it to a local gunsmith. It is a common, easy repair.

 

[BE Mike]

I would bring it to a local gunsmith. It is a common, easy repair.

I was thinking that the firing pin hole replacement might involve a part that the local smiths might not have in stock.

 

[zonker5]

Do the misfires always happen on the same charge hole?

 

[BE Mike]

Do the misfires always happen on the same charge hole?

Unfortunately, I didn't pay close enough attention.

 

[crankyoldlady]

Unfortunately, I didn't pay close enough attention.

Test again. Mark the chambers with a dab of "white out".

 

[Warren Sear]

Test again. Mark the chambers with a dab of "white out".

Yup; "chambers", not "charge holes".

 

[BE Mike]

Update: I was going to send the revolver off to a smith with a good reputation. When I took it to the my local gun shop, I was told that the owner worked on S&W revolvers and maybe I should let him look at it, because if he could fix it, it would save me a lot of money. If he couldn't, they'd ship it off. The local smith diagnosed the problem to be a faulty trigger. I provided a "new" color case-hardened hammer and trigger and he installed them, as well as a new mainspring. I took it to the range yesterday and shot 75 rounds, including wadcutters, hot factory .38 SPL 110 gr. JHP and 6 rounds of 158 gr. factory .357 magnum. It runs like a sewing machine. Total cost (not including supplied parts) was $35.00!

 

[Muss Muggins]

Yup; "chambers", not "charge holes".

They're charge holes at the factory . . .

 

[BE Mike]

They're charge holes at the factory . . .

That has to be a carry over from cap and ball days.

 

[cahotshoe]

That story has a happy ending. I'm glad it worked out for you, and we all learned a little something. Keep that guy on your Christmas card list, he did you good.