Model 19-3

[lemosqueezer]

Have a question on my 19-3. Picked it up a few years ago and the blueing was really worn. It was a California Edison (electric company) gun. Issued to their security. I had an itch to parkerize it (mistake?). It does just fine with .38's however the cylinder will lock up at times with .357's. Does the parkerizing have anything to do with this? Im guess the warranty is void due to the refinnish. Any ideas? Also, if anyone can recomend a quality gunsmith (someone who knows their S&W revolvers) in the Phoenix area I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Mike.

 

[lemosqueezer]

Have a question on my 19-3. Picked it up a few years ago and the blueing was really worn. It was a California Edison (electric company) gun. Issued to their security. I had an itch to parkerize it (mistake?). It does just fine with .38's however the cylinder will lock up at times with .357's. Does the parkerizing have anything to do with this? Im guess the warranty is void due to the refinnish. Any ideas? Also, if anyone can recomend a quality gunsmith (someone who knows their S&W revolvers) in the Phoenix area I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Mike.

 

[S&W revolverman]

lemosqueezer,

This opinion is without seeing the gun in person, but I'd look at this first.

When you shoot a bunch of .38's in a .357 gun, then try to shoot 357 ammo, sometimes the 357 ammo doesn't get seated in far enough into the cylinder because the 38 cases are shorter. The case heads of the 357 ammo will drag onto the shield, which will cause the cylinder to bind.
So, I would start off with a good cleaning/brushing of the cylinder charge holes, especially at the end, then trying the 357 ammo and see if the cylinder still drags - or locks up.

Hope this helps
chris