[W Turner]

I bought a P&R model 19 from a local shop a few months ago. Took it to the range to test fire it and all was well, both DA and SA.

A few weeks later I shot it in a local IDPA match and everything went haywire. First there was a squib (my fault on that one), then I started having multiple misfires. I also checked the primers on the fired cases and the ones I had tried to fire. The primers were properly seated, but I did notice that the primer hits were off center in some of the cases. The strain screw was tight and everything looked fine otherwise.

I did not have a chance to really look at it for another week or so, but when I did, the first thing I did was check it using Jim March's technique. The first thing I found was that the ejector rod was loose so I loctited and tightened it up and let it sit for 24 hours.

The next day I looked at it again and I found that when the hammer is cocked manually, the cylinder stop engages just before the hammer clicks to indicate it is cocked on every cylinder. Seems like it is in time based on my somewhat limited knowledge of revolver workings. When I loaded it and fired in slow double action mode, one cylinder did not fire and when I checked that round, the primer hit was on the edge of the primer pocket. The other 5 shots fired fine. In single action mode, all six fired just fine with centered primer hits.

I took the sideplate off and everything looks to be in order. That is to say that it looks just like every other SW revolver I have looked at.

Ideas anybody?

Thanks,
W

[Old Fuff]

It appears that you have one bad tooth on the ratchet. There are a number of ways to correct this, including a new, but thicker hand. It is possible that the condition goes back to when the gun was made, and if so S&W would likely fix it under warrantee. This presumes that no one did an action job without any knowledge or experience concerning what they were about.

I would suggest that you contact Smith & Wesson's Customer Service Department, and arrange to ship the revolver back to them for a full check-up and any necessary repairs or adjustments. You could go to someone else, but there is a fair chance you might get the work done at the factory for free, including shipping.

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

W Turner,

I agree with Old Fuff. I sent my S&W 19-5 to Smith & Wesson for service. They tuned the action (no charge), turned back the barrel (no charge), replaced the cylinder ($1), blued the cylinder ($75 labor) and sent her back to me ($14).

So, for $90 in service I basically have a factory new revolver that was made in 1982.

The communication from Smith & Wesson Service was excellent and the turnaround time was less than a month.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

[W Turner]

I appreciate it. I will contact S&W tomorrow.

W