Modern Max Loads in a Model 19

[Bart B.]

It's time to replace my old Remington .357 Mag. Personal Defense Ammo for my Model 19-3. That stuff's 8 or more years old and I like to keep younger stuff around for my centerfire insurance policy.

Since 1975, owning one of the world's finest mid-weight .357 Mag's. ever made, there's been less than 100 rounds of full power .357 Mag. factory loads fired through it. But a lot of factory .38 Spcl and both mild and moderate .38 Spcl. and .357 lead bullet handloads through its 4" barrel over the years. No lead build up in the barrel's throat nor in the cylinder; I've tried to clean that stuff out after every session.

The newer .357 personal defence ammo's got my attention. Specifically the Federal JHP 125's (#C357B) and Hornady FTX 125's (#90500). But there's stuff on line mentioning these loads are the hottest .357 stuff around. And only a limited number should be fired in S&W K frames such as the Model 19 else frame and barrel metal cracking will soon render the arm unfit for use. I'd like to shoot 40 to 50 of one to sight the 19 in with and see how much their flash is in really dark places.

How many of these "ultra" max loads can be fired in a Model 19 before it's no longer safe to do so?

Thanks in advance for responses.

 

[badge 851]

I would recommend Remington® Golden Saber® 125gr BJHP @ 1220fps. It has plenty of power to do the job at lower pressure and much lower recoil.

 

[Alk8944]

At least 1, after that everyone would simply be guessing, and almost certainly would be wrong.

 

[AZretired]

I have a 19-2 that was issued to me in 1978 (I was able to buy it when the department switched to autos) that I have personnally put over 500 rounds of Federal 125 JHP and another 500 rounds of Winchester 110 JHP plus thousands of 38 & 357 handloads- mild to warm- and the is just barely evidence of some flamecutting on the topstrap and it's still locks up tight.

 

[Steve C]

Some can shoot thousands and not break, others will crach the forcing cone after just a few rounds. The problem is S&W no longer have any replacement barrels for the 19/66 revolvers so if the barrel goes your only option if to try and find an undamaged used one or scrap the gun.

None of the .357 magnum JHP loads are anything to ignore. Federal makes a 130gr Personal Defens .357 mag Hydra Shock at 1,400 fps which should be a good one.

Here is a good article about the K frrame 19 and cracking of the forcing cone: Use of Magnum Loads in S&W Model 19 and Other K-Frame Magnums

 

[brucev]

How has the ammo you use been stored? If it's been in the house... stable temperature, etc., it should be just fine. If it's been in the dash of a car in hot summer time heat, it probably needs to be replaced.

I've been shooting K-Framed .357's since I bought my first S&W in 1980. I've never had one break regardless of the ammo I was using. From mid-range wadcutters to elephant stomper loads, there was never a problem. I never fired hundreds of .357 loads a week, but I never just fired a box or two a years.

Of course there have been reports of model 19's damaged by firing large amounts of 125 gr. .357 Mag. loads. The internet has allowed such reports, often unsubstantiated, to be repeated to the point of being conventional wisdom. If such reports were the norm of experience, it would have been broadly know long long ago.

If you do normal routine maintenance on your 19, it is likely you will leave it in your will to your heirs in just as good a condition as it is now in your possession. Certainly primarily firing it with .38 Special loads, regardless of the type, will not in the least damage your revolver. Standard or plus P loads are not problematic for a otherwise good condition 19.

If you want to buy new ammunition, there is plenty from which to choose. The Federal 125 gr. loads have a well deserved reputation for effectiveness. I have always had a deep regard for the Remington .357 Magnum load that uses their 125 gr. petal-pointed bullet. It's not the sort of stuff I can afford for plinking. But for HD, etc., it is just about perfect. Zero the revolver with .38 Specials and see where the .357 Mag. load hits at the same distance. It may or may not show a large divergence in POI from POA. If it does not, then practice with the .38's and from time to time as budget and interest allow, fire a box or two of the magnums. If there is a great deal of divergence, zero with the magnum load of your choice and make whatever allowances are necessary to get effective on target results when you are firing .38's.

As to muzzle flash, that is very much a consequence of how the individual manufacturer loads the round. There are loads on the market that are produced to provide as little muzzle flash as is possible. This is easier done with a 4" barrel than with some of the snub nosed barrels often encountered.

How many... maximum loads can you safely fire in a model 19? Probably as many as you have the money and time to fire. Of course the current fad is to use heavier bullets than the 125 gr. loads that made the .357 famous. And such loads are supposed to be easier on the guns. Maybe they are. But if the 125 gr. loads were the ballistic equivalent of the Apocalypse, there would have been reports in the era of heavy usage of guns coming apart at the seams, women swooning and men trembling at the mere sight of such handguns and loads being carried much less actually fired.

 

[Warren Sear]

I have a 19-2 that was issued to me in 1978 (I was able to buy it when the department switched to autos) that I have personnally put over 500 rounds of Federal 125 JHP and another 500 rounds of Winchester 110 JHP plus thousands of 38 & 357 handloads- mild to warm- and the is just barely evidence of some flamecutting on the topstrap and it's still locks up tight.

Flame cutting on the top strap is not the problem with shooting 125 grain ammo in a Model 19. The problem is split forcing cones. Yes, it did happen to me.

 

[Warren Sear]

It's time to replace my old Remington .357 Mag. Personal Defense Ammo for my Model 19-3. That stuff's 8 or more years old and I like to keep younger stuff around for my centerfire insurance policy...

8 years? That is still new. Your ammo is good for 100 years or more.