New model 19 "combat magnum

[Mike SC Hunter]

That's a pinned barrel and recessed chamber cylinder, so it's a Model 19 to Model 19-4.

Old model. Busted the FC June of 1986. Bought another barrel. Made a set of frame blocks and changed it out myself. Haven't shot it 20 times since........I should take it out and shoot it more.

My now favorite light weight .357 for a long time is a 686 mountain gun.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

We don't know if he bought it new or used . Used it could already had too many 125gr loads and there was a weak spot already in the forcing cone . IF he bought it new , I would venture to say it was a problem in the metal right on the thin spot . It does happen .
I will tell you that I have had several K-frame 357's and I have shot a lot of 180 gr cast bullets using a max charge of H110 , they are still as tight as the day I bought them and no cracks on the thin spot . So I will still come back and say that the biggest " destroyer " of K-frame 357's was shooting 125 gr jacketed bullets over a max charge of H110 . It caused erosion of the forcing cone and would crack at the thin spot . Some have said they thought there was a build up of lead on the forcing cone causing extreme high pressure for a bullet to get past it , cracking the forcing cone . Maybe so . Regards Paul

Don't second guess my post.........I bought the gun BRAND NEW and have owned it ever since. There was NO lead build up in the barrel. I've always shot hard cast bullets of my own making.

BTW in the 21 years I've been on this forum no one else has ever posted a 19 with busted FC caused by 125 bullets.

 

[Johnny Diamond]

Old model. Busted the FC June of 1986. Bought another barrel. Made a set of frame blocks and changed it out myself. Haven't shot it 20 times since........I should take it out and shoot it more.



My now favorite light weight .357 for a long time is a 686 mountain gun.

Sweet lookin wheel gun

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[Paul105]

With the "new" redesigned M19/66s, the only problem(s) you are likely to encounter relates to deficient QA/QC. If you have a problem, S&W will fix it under warrant, even picking up shipping costs.

I have three of the new M19s/M66s - have only shot 3 or 4K rounds thru them, most of which have been moderate loads (+- 1,050 fps from 4 1/4" bbl). One of those loads was 8.0gr Longshot under 158gr JHPs that chronoed 1,066 fps from the 4 1/4" M66-8.

If it were me, I'd shoot the heck out of that new M19 and never look back.

Have fun!

Paul

 

[Johnny Diamond]

With the "new" redesigned M19/66s, the only problem(s) you are likely to encounter relates to deficient QA/QC. If you have a problem, S&W will fix it under warrant, even picking up shipping costs.

I have three of the new M19s/M66s - have only shot 3 or 4K rounds thru them, most of which have been moderate loads (+- 1,050 fps from 4 1/4" bbl). One of those loads was 8.0gr Longshot under 158gr JHPs that chronoed 1,066 fps from the 4 1/4" M66-8.

If it were me, I'd shoot the heck out of that new M19 and never look back.

Have fun!

Paul

Thanks Paul that's exactly what I was looking for as posted above I worked up/out the load with powder manufacturer for the firearms I had at the time, only thing I left out was magnum primers and also a new model Vaquero also in 5 1/2 " that I had an earlier Bisley hammer put on for my wife's little hands (her pistol) she loves it the smaller new model Vaquero with new hammer fits her hands as good as her Taurus snubbie the 1258 fps is according to Hodgdon with an 8" barrel? Pressure was just under Sammi spec as I recall and velocity was good. And I load jacketed for everything except my 1858s with conversion cylinders.

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[Model5]

I posted a while back about shooting magnums through my 66-8. The general consensus seemed to be an aversion to consistent firing of magnum loads through a k frame. Doesn’t make much sense to me. I figure with there having been issues with parts failure then updated revisions addressing such issues I will put whatever the barrel stamp says I can put through it. Being 357 magnum that’s what it will get. On the backside of that I happened to pick up a crapload of 125gr projectile that are shared between 38/357 in both my revolver and Rossi 92. I’ve already fired around 4-500 full magnum loads through the 66 and vigerously cleaned and scrutinized the gun multiple times and have detected no signs of cracks in the forcing cone or “flame cutting” on the frame. I’m sure with enough use it will loosen up or show signs or wear but I’m sure I will never shoot it that much.

 

[wellthought1]

Welcome to the forum!

You'll find a lot of nice people here that are full of knowledge.

 

[Johnny Diamond]

Model5, I agree with you I only use 158 xtp's and between 4 revolvers and two leverguns I think it will be fine, besides it's a fast burning powder with magnum primers. It says 357, they've made revisions I was pretty sure before now I've made up my mind.

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[Johnny Diamond]

Welcome to the forum!

You'll find a lot of nice people here that are full of knowledge.

Thanks already feel welcome here.

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[Mike SC Hunter]

I posted a while back about shooting magnums through my 66-8. The general consensus seemed to be an aversion to consistent firing of magnum loads through a k frame. Doesn’t make much sense to me. I figure with there having been issues with parts failure then updated revisions addressing such issues I will put whatever the barrel stamp says I can put through it. Being 357 magnum that’s what it will get. On the backside of that I happened to pick up a crapload of 125gr projectile that are shared between 38/357 in both my revolver and Rossi 92. I’ve already fired around 4-500 full magnum loads through the 66 and vigerously cleaned and scrutinized the gun multiple times and have detected no signs of cracks in the forcing cone or “flame cutting” on the frame. I’m sure with enough use it will loosen up or show signs or wear but I’m sure I will never shoot it that much.

I have a 2 1/2" 66 from the same time frame as my 19.......It's never missed a lick.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Mike SC Hunter , You gave very little info in your first post . What / why yours failed I have no idea and don't care . I found a discussion on the internet , " Smith & Wesson Forums " describing in detail what I said about 1/2 way down the first page . The 1st post was Jan 11 , 2017 . You want proof , there it is . You have your opinion and I have mine ie : Sometimes we just need to agree to disagree . Regards Paul

 

[Darkenfast]

A good article here with information from an engineer at Smith and Wesson (Dick Baker). The article covers the history of the barrel flat, the problems it caused and the development of the L-frame. A big point is that there where TWO different barrel flats. The change was driven by a change to the gas-ring location. Some good facts in that article.

The Smith & Wesson L-Frame Story - RevolverGuy.Com

 

[Johnny Diamond]

Very interesting article.

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