Model 19-3 without recessed cylinder

[sfal7418]

Saw a 19-3 6" with partridge frt sight wide case hardened trigger and hammer, with a pinned barrel but its cylinder isnt recessed....from what i have read this didnt occur until 19-5 ?
could the cylinder have been swapped out
thanks for any input
al

 

[murphydog]

If you are certain it was a 19-3 (the pinned barrel fits with this, of course) the cylinder has been changed to a later version. Some very late 19-4s had the later unpinned barrel but the earlier recessed cylinder.

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

personally I like unrecessed cylinders. Lots easier to clean

 

[Jack Flash]

If the cylinder has been replaced I would wonder why this was necessary, and what else has been done to this revolver, and who did it.

When a gun sounds iffy, the price better be really low. Just my opinion.

 

[steelslaver]

Open the cylinder and see how much back and forth slop it has while open. The frame lug for a recessed gun would be such that if you installed a non recessed cylinder and did not replace the lug, it would allow the cylinder to move back and forth on the yoke tube the thickness of a rim.

 

[banger]

If the cylinder has been replaced I would wonder why this was necessary, and what else has been done to this revolver, and who did it.

When a gun sounds iffy, the price better be really low. Just my opinion.

God only knows the reason for this individual weapon, but probably back in the mid 70's, I bought a brand new 6" model 28.

The cylinder was drilled short.

Not only wouldn't it chamber a Magnum round, it would not even chamber .38 Special.

I probably owned the weapon for an hour.

The store had a range in their facility.

It was soooo bad, the revolver was exchanged with no hassle.

 

[steelslaver]

PS, I can think of a couple reasons to replace a model 19 cylinder, but most of them do indicate a problem. Swelled stop notches (over loads) pitting (poor maintenance), Messed up stop notches (bad habits)

That being said recessed cylinders don't seem to be that hard to find, I have rounded up 4 of them and never spend over $70 for one.
a 10-2 to 357, 2 10-7 to 357s and a nother for the future

 

[steelslaver]

God only knows the reason for this individual weapon, but probably back in the mid 70's, I bought a brand new 6" model 28.

The cylinder was drilled short.

Not only wouldn't it chamber a Magnum round, it would not even chamber .38 Special.

I probably owned the weapon for an hour.

The store had a range in their facility.

It was soooo bad, the revolver was exchanged with no hassle.

Now that is odd. So much for the perfection of the past

 

[sfal7418]

went back and took some pics....to me seem very little play back and forth when open...assembly number same on crane and butt...there is a slot behind trigger in the frame for a stop but there isnt one present


sn9K57317 on butt and on frame under crane.

Seems tight when closed and rotates and locks up as should...
Maybe the Y in a circle, A8 (which is also on crane) or looks like a 6 on butt is a factory repair stamp?....previous owner was a cop yrs ago....maybe while cleaning another 19 switched cylinders?
love the history
thanks again for any input
al

pics link Imgur: The magic of the Internet

 

[steelslaver]

Like I said if the cylinder or even cylinder and yoke were changed the cylinder would slop back and forth about .06. IF the lug was not changed.

If someone tries to use a recessed cylinder in a factory non recessed frame the yoke will not go home as the cylinder would jam against the frame lug before it could.

I have fit recessed cylinders to non recessed frames and every single one needed the frame lug filed back considerably not just a tiny bit for clearance. If a non recessed cylinder is used in a gun with a recessed cylinder frame lug sometimes if you hold the gun muzzle up the lug will allow the cylinder to slide back enough that the center pin will hang up a bit on the recoil shield divot.
Once closed up an non recessed cylinder will still be tight and time correctly if properly fitted, despite the frame lug being for a recessed cylinder.

If the gun is a 19-3 and the cylinder is non recessed and does not have any slop when open I suspect the cylinder was changed and who ever did the work (factory) changed the frame lug. The frame lug is pressed into the frame and stacked in place inside the action cut out.

I have stuck recessed 19-3 cylinders in model 10 frames, had to file back the lug, I have made recessed K22 cylinders into 32 caliber cylinders and installed in non recessed frames, had to file back the lug, made recessed 44 mag cylinders into 45 colts and installed in a 25-5 frame, had to file back the lug.

 

[CLASSIC12]

Saw a 19-3 6" with partridge frt sight wide case hardened trigger and hammer, with a pinned barrel but its cylinder isnt recessed....from what i have read this didnt occur until 19-5 ?
could the cylinder have been swapped out
thanks for any input
al

I recently bought a 19–3 6 inch just like the one you described. Serial nbr K987904, 1970 made. The cylinder is recessed.

 

[Arquebus357]

The empty trigger stop slot may indicate that your 19 spent some time at S&W's repair depot. Repair guys were instructed to remove those stops from any revolvers that came across their bench.

 

[sfal7418]

thanks for the input
pics link doesnt work....but looking at a pic that shows the front of the frame lug it looks tobe not blued...IE filed?....will check to get abetter pic
al

 

[stansdds]

Based on the finish on the lug, that cylinder is not original to the revolver. The question is, why was it replaced? Before buying, I'd closely inspect for any other issues. Pay close attention to the forcing cone and the top strap, the spot directly above the barrel-cylinder gap. Look for signs of excessive erosion. Barrels can be changed, the erosion in the top strap is there forever.

 

[steelslaver]

That frame lug is set for a RECESSED cylinder. Besides you do not have to file the lug on a recessed frame to install a NON recessed cylinder.

Turning the cylinder while open can cause blue to rub on lug

Lets see a picture of the recoil shield to cylinder gap from the side and one of the rear of cylinder.