Recommended Model 19 carry ammo

[Fletchman]

I have a model 66-2 with 2 1/2 inch barrel. The Stainless model 19. I use Hornady Critical defense ammo. 357 magnum is the best personal defense caliber there is. It has more one shot knockdowns than any other caliber. I don't worry about over-penetration bla bla bla. I want something that is going to put down anyone I have to shoot. If I was going to shoot 38+p I wouldn't pack a 357. The FBI guys in the Miami shootout were using model 66 handguns and shooting 38+p. Any good personal defense load from a major maker will work almost equally well. Speer Gold dot hollow points are great bullets if you load your own and Speer Lawman are excellent for the factory load of that bullet.

 

[Jaymo]

There was also a 9mm HP that expanded perfectly.

Of course, I prefer the scalloped-jacket Remington 125 grain .357 HPs in a 3" or longer barrel .357.
But, inside the house, I prefer the FBI load. Dead soft LSWCHP at 1,000 fps is a good load.

Of course, I don't have a model 19. I do have a GP100, 586, and a Dan Wesson .357.
But, unfortunately, no 19. Yet.

 

[vegasgunhand]

I started with U.S. Customs in 1980. I was issued a 4 inch Model 66. We had several loads of .357 Magnum, including .125 gr and 158 gr rounds. We also had the 110 gr +P+ Treasury round. That round was developed by and for the Secret Service. It was also tested and adopted by the California Highway Patrol. It performed VERY well in two officer involved shootings that I'm aware of.

Most of the Customs officers chose the Treasury Round over .357 Magnum due to the reduced recoil and muzzle flash, and the quicker follow-up shot capability.

In the early 90's, the Traesury round was phased out in favor of a 125 grain Federal Hydra-Shok round in both .357Magnum and .39 +P+. Then jsut before I retired in 2005, the Federal "Short barrel" rounds were introduced. By this time the only revolvers that Customs/ICE were Model 60's and 640's as back-up gun.

 

[M29since14]

My .357s always get Winchester Silvertips, regardless of the gun or barrel length. Very accurate - and used to be readily available in boxes of 50. If I were buying just for the 340PD, it would probably be something 125-gr, but the Silvertips seem to work well in everything. Now that I think of it, I could use a couple boxes.

 

[snowman.45]

There is no doubt, based on statistics alone, that the 125 gr. .357JHP is a highly effective round. I have no qualms about using it in my L frames, or even in limited amounts in my K frames. However, K frame barrels don't grow on trees. There have been a reasonable number of reports that indicate 125 gr. JHP can eventually lead to a split in the lower portion of the K frame forcing cone. Like most, I believe this is a bit overblown. However, I don't intend to risk ruining my 65 or 66 by using that round as my standard when other effective rounds are available. I regularly use the rounds I've mentioned; 135-158gr. JHP .357 magnum of 158gr. LSWCHP FBI load from Buffalo Bore at 1000 fps.

 

[boomer1]

A few years back I got a deal on some Remington 110 grain jacketed hollow points. I shot a few of them (one box) at targets, they worked fine for accuracy out of my 6" Colt Trooper. After seeing the number they did on a coyote and later a west Texas jackrabbit, I don't think over penetration is much of a problem. I currently use those rounds in my M19-4 2 1/2", it seems to like them just fine. When I carry the 19 on hunting trips I put 158 grain Remington jacketed soft points in it, just incase I can't get to my rifle.

 

[Tam 3]

The cheapest 158 gr. hollowpoints that you can find.

Regards,

Tam 3

 

[Lufbery]

I practice with, and carry, CCI Blazer .357Mag 158gr JHP. Another poster wrote it chronos at 990fps from a snub bbl. Not hot, but still not a cream puff. With practice, easy to do double-taps at 3-7 yards. Never an ignition problem. I know it's only supposed to be a less expensive range load, but I'm comfortable carrying it for SD in a snub mag.

I second this recommendation.

I'm one of those crazy people with a Ruger LCR .357. It weighs 17 ounces unloaded. Its polymer frame and very good Hogue grips soak up a lot of recoil, but full velocity 125 gr. magnums kick quite a bit. With the Blazer ammo, I can quickly fire the full five rounds with 9-ring accuracy on a B-27 silhouette target at seven yards. Recoil is moderate, but the round still has 200 fps over a 158 gr. 38 special load.

In contrast, my recovery time with the Hornady Critical Defense 125 gr. .357 load is quite a bit slower and my accuracy is solidly 8-ring.

The Winchester 110 gr. .357 also had moderate recoil, but was three to four inches low at 7 yards and has a mixed track record from all I've read.

I haven't tried the Speer short barrel .357 load yet.

It hardly matters right now, though. I can't find the CCI stuff in any of the local stores.

Regards,
-Drew

 

[poordevil]

Anti Personal...125 JHP .357mag. Light skinned 4 legged 158 gr .357 JHP. 4 legged heavy skin and bone, 158 hard cast lead or 158 gr JSP .357 mag.

 

[armybass]

Remington 38 Special +P 158 Grain LSWCHP

 

[Warren Sear]

I split the forcing cone on a brand new Model 19-4 after less than 1000 357 Magnum rounds. I does happen.

 

[arjay]

Did they replace it?

 

[Warren Sear]

S&W replaced the barrel under warranty. This was in the late 70's.

Leery of the same thing happening again, I soon traded it off for a Colt Series 70 1911. About five or six years later I decided the Model 19 really did make sense, so I bought another one. This one was a 19-5. I never shot many 357's in it, and it has never given me a bit of trouble. I still have it.

 

[shawn mccarver]

After acquiring a 19-4 2 1/2 a couple of weeks ago, and discovering how well it shoots, I've decided to carry it some. Those of you who carry a snub 19, what do you load it with? Thanks in advance for your replies and advice.

I vote for Winchester 38 Special +P 158 grain lead hollow point, also known as the FBI load. Second place goes to Speer 38 Special Gold Dot Short Barrel.

 

[JP@AK]

The FBI load is certainly a good choice, as are some of the other rounds mentioned here.
Personally, I've been carrying 2" .38 Special revolvers (various models) for about 35 years. They have been loaded with Hydra-Shok cartridges since before Federal bought the patent and turned them into a jacketed round. I still have some of the original Scorpion 146 grain lead Hydra-Shok cartridges. They were carried in a 2" Model 64 for several years before I switched to the Federal version.
On the rare occasions that I pack my 2 1/2" Model 19, it gets the Hydra-Shok rounds as well. My wife's bedside defense revolver is loaded with the same round.
All in all, the real answer for you is what you can get easily and what shoots well in your guns. There are lots of good options out there today. I stuck with the Hydra-Shoks because they work well for me and I have lots of them.
Jack

 

[Retired W4]

I bought my 2 1/2" 66-1 new in 1977. Most of the ammo I've used in it (and it's been a lot) has been .357 magnum, with most of that 125 grain JHP. The gun is still tight with no forcing cone issues or barrel erosion to speak of. After 36 years it is still going. It is currently loaded with 125 grain Federal Hyra-Shok.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Looks like I'm alone here but I keep a M19 2.5" loaded wirh Hornady Critical defense 38+P in my home basement office.

You're not alone. I use that in my 2.5" M686+ and some other .357s, and similar ammunition. Excellent choice.

I need to start another thread on this subject - should be even more fun....

***GRJ***

 

[hotrod150]

........
Personally, I've been carrying 2" .38 Special revolvers (various models) for about 35 years. They have been loaded with Hydra-Shok cartridges since before Federal bought the patent and turned them into a jacketed round. I still have some of the original Scorpion 146 grain lead Hydra-Shok cartridges. They were carried in a 2" Model 64 for several years before I switched to the Federal version.....

Don't know what they look like now, but as I recall the original Hydrashock bullets looked lke inverted wadcutters with a little post in the large cavity. That was one of the first special design hollowpoint self-defense rounds I remember hearing about, and it always had a good rep. Can you post a photo of an original Hydrashock bullet versus the modern version?
I recently bought some Speer swaged HBWC's and tried loaded them inverted as extreme hollowpoints. I had trouble with bullets not stabilizing, and hitting the target with various degrees of yawing- even when warmly loaded. A typical problem with this sort of load, as loading the bullet inverted makes the center of gravity too far aft for stable flight at normal velocities. Was there ever any sign of this instability with the original hydrashock loads?
FWIW Colt revolver barrels use a somewhat faster twist than S&W, so this instability might not be a problem with a Colt.

 

[JP@AK]

Yes. I can take some photos of both the old and new Hydra-Shok bullets and of the Scorpion box. Can't get to it today, but I'll do it tomorrow or this weekend and post them here.
It's been quite a few years since I last shot any of the originals, but I don't remember any accuracy issues with them. I believe I tested them with a 4" Model 28-2.
Jack

 

[steamloco76]

I've always been a fan of the FBI 158 gr LSWC HP +P and have shot and carried Winchester, Federal and Remington versions of the load. All have shown good accuracy from 1.78 to 4 inch barrel .38's and 357's. The Speer 135 gr Gold Dot short barrel load has come out favorably in many tests too. I avoid full power .357 Mag rounds in a defense gun for two very good reasons- Noise and NOISE! Don't want to defend myself in a small room and be answering questions with "What? Can you speak louder?" the rest of my days.