Range Day M19 & M642 - Good and Bad!

[BobsSmith]

Greetings everyone..!

Went to the range today, fired my M19-5 and M 642. Been a long time since I fired either one.

Fired off hand range of 15 yards, single and double action. Pleased with both guns, fired without a hitch.

Until I fired some Remington 357 158 JSP out of my 19. After a few rounds, to my dismay, the gun froze! Could not open the gun or pull the trigger. Finally had to hit the cylinder with palm of my hand to open it. Fired some more, no issues, then it almost locked up again.

Had been firing Federal 158 .38 LRN prior with no issues, nice primer strikes. On the magnums, very light primer, almost off center.

This same ammo fires just fine out of my Ruger Vaquero.

Cannot figure this one out. I may just call my 19 a .38 special and reserve magnums to my Ruger.

Best

Bob

 

[BigBill]

Did you look at the fired case that was in the battery position after it was fired? Did it swell? Was the primer moved back?

 

[BobsSmith]

Primer seemed slightly moved. No case swelling. Most of the primer strikes on the magnums, looked light.

Firing double action, had a very hard pull at one point, almost froze again.

I am puzzled. Fired the .38's just great!

Thanks

Bob

 

[kaaskop49]

Perhaps try some other factory .357 loads and see if the same problems recur. A visit to a`gunsmith might be in order.

 

[BobsSmith]

Thanks ....

I am having hard time posting pictures here, but sent picture to a shooting buddy of spent case. He said it has a cratered primer, signs of excessive pressure. Figures has to do with firing pin bushing perhaps.

Give SW a call, perhaps they can inspect and repair.

Best

Bob

 

[scooter123]

When you were ejecting your empties were you pointing the barrel straight up and slapping them clear briskly? You most likely were NOT and you ended up with some stray powder debris under the ejector star. I have first hand experience with this particular problem because it's a bad habit I've developed that I am trying to break. Unfortunately I don't always remember that I am trying to break this habit and tend to get "bit" for forgetting at least once at every range session. When you do forget about being meticulous with extraction and do get stuff lodged under the extractor you will see the EXACT symptoms you've described. That is a trigger that is hard to pull and a cylinder that can be hard to open. In fact I've seen so much drag created by this that I would describe the trigger as being hard to pull, I've seen enough drag that the hammer was so hard to cock that I didn't try and force it back.

Solutions. Proper ejection is number one. When you forget it's also very handy to have a clean toothbrush in your range kit. Because I've found it difficult at near 60 years old to produce an air stream strong enough to clear the most stubborn debris.

Finally, one other potential cause for this issue is an ejector rod that has come loose. However, when this happens is usually NOT an intermittent problem that "goes away" on it's own. However, just in case I would suggest that you check to see if your ejector rod has loosened enough to spin it with your fingers.

 

[BobsSmith]

Thanks scooter...

Think it has to do with 357's high pressure ( cratered primers ) and firing pin bushing. All the standard 38's were fine.

Your right on ejecting cases and like your idea of a tooth brush as well!

Best

Bob

 

[RGMoore]

Unless there is a "need" I would go with 38's and save the 357's for an L frame or N frame. But I would also have your 19 checked out by a 'smith just to make sure it is OK since it should be able to handle occasional 357's without a problem.

 

[Yorkie Man]

I had the same problem with my 19-5 with Federal primers. I had installed a lighter main spring and the primer was flowing back into the hammer nose bushing locking up the revolver. I would try another brand of magnums and see if the problem persists.

 

[David R]

Wondering if crud built up in the cylinder from the 38s . Then when you put in the 357, fit was not proper.

David

 

[Boogsawaste]

As others posted, try another magnum load. Cratered primers are a sign of over pressure.

And a side note, many note that shooting jacketed rounds after lead ( without cleaning), is a no no. Especially some hot 357 jacketed. The lead can build up in the barrel enough to cause an over pressure when a jacketed bullet squeezes through it. I don't know enough about it to make this assumption, but maybe this even has something to do with your over pressured primers?