Strength of Mod 19 vs Mod 10

[RacingSnake]

If the Model 19 and the Model 10 were both K frames, what made the 19 stronger and able to handle .357 magnum ammo, albeit in limited quantities?

Didn't S&W make a few model 10's in 357?

Regards, Racingsnake

 

[Mule88]

The model 19 has a different heat treating process to give the frame/cylinder more strength that isnt done on non magnum K-frames.

 

[Old cop]

Smith did not make a M10 in .357, but did make a M13 which was a M10 look alike in .357. I would not trade my blue steel 4" M13 for anything.

 

[Jack Flash]

Smith did not make a M10 in .357, but did make a M13 which was a M10 look alike in .357. I would not trade my blue steel 4" M13 for anything.

Actually, S&W did make some M10-6s chambered in .357 Magnum, which was the forerunner of the M13.

 

[Old Corp]

Just FYI, many years ago I worked at a LGS and the owner would occasionally use a reamer to lengthen the chamber on S&W .38's to enable the use of .357's. Usually just did it for 'special friends' and not as a regular service. Saw him do M10's, 15's, even a few M36's.

The caveat was that it would simply give a choice of ammo choices in a tight spot and not for anything approaching regular use. They were also advised that any warranty by S&W disappeared with the mod.

Heard reports back from the guys that had them and tried magnums in them and it was never eventful. Most found it a little uncomfortable.

Of course, this was at a time when lawsuits weren't as common as a politician's lies.

 

[roaddog28]

Smith did not make a M10 in .357, but did make a M13 which was a M10 look alike in .357. I would not trade my blue steel 4" M13 for anything.

Hi Old cop,
Yes S&W did make some model 10s in 357 magnum. They were 10-6 and S&W made about 2000 thousand of them for a contract with the New York State Police Department (NYSPD). The 10-6 evolved into the early production model 13s. I have a early model 13 4 inch. One of my favorites.
Regards,
Howard

 

[GerSan69]

Unless they're doing something different these days, a K is a K, no matter what the caliber. I was told years ago that any frame on the assembly line could end up as any model. The difference is in the cylinder and the barrel: the .38 cylinder is slightly shorter, and the forcing cone longer to meet the cylinder.

 

[gwalchmai]

The model 19 has a different heat treating process to give the frame/cylinder more strength that isnt done on non magnum K-frames.

Do you have any documentation of this, Mule? I've read it but never seen anything from S&W about it.

 

[stiab]

Do you have any documentation of this, Mule? I've read it but never seen anything from S&W about it.

I won't try to answer for Mule88, but if you go to the book and read about the 547, it makes reference to the 9mm's being made with the magnum version of the K frame. It goes on to describe that some of the left over frames were made into .357 magnums, with the other features of the 547 remaining the same.

As to the .357 Model 10, it is also documented in the book, and I foolishly passed on one NIB at a gunshop in Raleigh about 6 years ago. Box and gun were both marked Model 10 and .357. I bough a 3" Model 13 that day instead.

Hope this helps some.

 

[Stu Honea]

Smith&Wesson has done some unusual things with several of their different model number revolvers.Nothing surprises me any more about this.

 

[Engine49guy]

The model 19 frame is physically different than the model 15 frame where the underlug meets the frame.

 

[-db-]

The model 19 frame is physically different than the model 15 frame where the underlug meets the frame.

Yes, the yoke area forward of the cylinder window on the 19 is beefier than previous K-frame models. Someone has a photo posted somewhere here on the forum showing the difference.

 

[LAS&W4me]

Actually, S&W did make some M10-6s chambered in .357 Magnum, which was the forerunner of the M13.

I'm holding one as we speak

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk 2

 

[RacingSnake]

This is some good information so far.

My guns are in storage so I can't compare so are you saying the frames are the same but that the yoke and lock-up on the M19 are stronger / heavier?

 

[Texas Star]

The really obvious thing that you guys have managed to miss is that S&W has always said that both the steels and heat treatment on the .357 guns is different from that on other K-frames!

From the time that Bill Jordan incited them to build the gun, they have made it clear that the special alloys use more nickel or chrome and have a more advanced heat treat to contain the much higher pressures.

But those of you who note dimensional differences in some parts have a good point, too. Nice catch. I hadn't measured any and noticed that.

I'd be VERY wary of any "gunsmith" who bored out the chambers of a.38 K-frame to take .357 ammo. Don't think that's very wise with a .38-44, either.

 

[gwalchmai]

The really obvious thing that you guys have managed to miss is that S&W has always said that both the steels and heat treatment on the .357 guns is different from that on other K-frames!

From the time that Bill Jordan incited them to build the gun, they have made it clear that the special alloys use more nickel or chrome and have a more advanced heat treat to contain the much higher pressures.

Thanks. A link to them saying that was what I'm looking for. Do you know of any?

 

[Engine49guy]

The 38/357 frames are different where the barrel underlug meets the frame .
Models 15 and 14-2 in 38 (L) compared to Model 19 (R)
I do not have a 357 caliber Model 10-6 HB to compare,

The really obvious thing that you guys have managed to miss is that S&W has always said that both the steels and heat treatment on the .357 guns is different from that on other K-frames!
.

Mule88 actually points out the heat treating difference in the first reply post ,

 

[nipster]

I'd be VERY wary of any "gunsmith" who bored out the chambers of a.38 K-frame to take .357 ammo. Don't think that's very wise with a .38-44, either.

Bored out 38 cylinders to fit 357? That would be a mighty interesting trick

 

[xcop]

heat treating

I became a cop in 1980 and our issue ammo was +p+ 38. I was concerned about using it in my off duty guns as well as my 1976 Model 15 issue. One day I sat down with the Smith law enforcement rep at our main range......probably 1981. He told me that Smith for several years had been heat treating all K frames to magnum level as it was easier and cheaper for them to run one type of heat treatment. He said no problem at all with my issue piece or my 3in model 10 as they were magnum heat treated. I have fired an awful lot of +p+ both Federal and Winchester in both revolvers without an issue. BTW he did look at the serial numbers of the revolvers before telling me both were fine.

 

[gwalchmai]

The 38/357 frames are different where the barrel underlug meets the frame .
Models 15 and 14-2 in 38 (L) compared to Model 19 (R)
I do not have a 357 caliber Model 10-6 HB to compare,

But are those differences there to strengthen the frame or to accommodate the ejector shroud? I'll try to dig out my M13 tonight and compare it to a K38. That would be a better comparison, don't you think?