Please explain the K-frame .357 gas ring saga

[.455_Hunter]

Can someone give the complete story of the Model 13/19/65/66 gas ring adventure?

What was the reason for the changes?

What were the impacts?

For the modern user, which variant is more desirable for a shooter?

Can you ID using the dash numbers? Is there dash "bleed over" like seen with other variants as parts are used-up?

Thanks!

 

[mod57]

Can someone give the complete story of the Model 13/19/65/66 gas ring adventure?

What was the reason for the changes?

What were the impacts?

For the modern user, which variant is more desirable for a shooter?

Can you ID using the dash numbers? Is there dash "bleed over" like seen with other variants as parts are used-up?

Thanks!

I would be interested in this also, but to include the models 14,15, and 17.

 

[sjmjax]

Don’t know for certain but I believe it was just a cost savings decision. Simplified machining.

 

[mod57]

Yep I think I got it figured out now. I found an older thread that covered it pretty well. Thanks for the assist sjmjax!
This thread here explains it pretty well I think

Post in thread 'Model 17 Gas Ring Question'

Feb 21, 2025

The gas ring was originally in the cylinder on all S&W revolvers. For a short time a change was made to make the gas ring a portion of the yoke which was a money saving simplification which didn't work as well as the original design and within about one year it was changed back to the original design. There was no dash change for the first change or the change re-revising the design, so -3 guns can be found both ways! This applies to both Model 10 and Model 19 and other K-Frame guns for sure. I have never seen other frame sizes with this same double-change! I have not seen any...

• Alk8944

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[Muley Gil]

IIRC, the early M66 revolvers had problems with the cylinders locking up during rapid fire, using .357 ammo. Massad Ayoob wrote about this issue and was not real popular with the S&W management.