Stephen A. Camp
Moderator In Memoriam
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 2,430
I did this report a good while back. Today, I got around to chronographing various loads from that revolver. I will no longer use nor recommend Federal 125 gr .357 Magnums in the shorter-bbl'd revolvers.
Hello.
I've always had a "thing" about this particular version of S&W's "Combat Magnum." Foolishly, I let a couple of older ones get away in trades and currently have the 2 1/2" Model 19-6. While I do like the little thing and it has a very good DA pull, I do kind of miss the pinned bbl and recessed chambers. Oh, well, at least it came with a smooth trigger-face.
This one's not been shot much over the years I've owned it; it seemed that simply "having" it was enough. Today, I decided to try some "serious" work with it.
The Revolver: Other than sticking a set of Eagle Secret Service checkered stocks on it, the gun's stock.
With a proper holster, the gun can be easily carried and concealed, but have kind of a "business-like look," should it have to come out.
Ammunition Used: The following loads were used today at distances from 10 to 25 yards.
Two full-house .357 Magnum loadings were used:
Remington 125 gr SJHP
Federal 125 gr JHP (Both of these are advertised at 1450 ft/sec. I suspect they're doing around 1350 to 1375 ft/sec out of this gun.)
One mid-range .357 Magnum load was fired:
Remington 125 gr Golden Saber (About 1150 ft/sec)
One handload was tried. It's a moderate load that can be used quite a bit for practice, but feels like a "magnum" rather than a light thirty-eight.
158 gr CSWC
Starline Cases
Winchester SP Primer
7.0 gr. Unique
Est. Velocity: Around 1100 ft/sec
Since some folks prefer to carry a hot .38 Special load, I also tried the gun with Remington's +P .38 Spec 158 gr LSWCHP.
Continued...
Hello.
I've always had a "thing" about this particular version of S&W's "Combat Magnum." Foolishly, I let a couple of older ones get away in trades and currently have the 2 1/2" Model 19-6. While I do like the little thing and it has a very good DA pull, I do kind of miss the pinned bbl and recessed chambers. Oh, well, at least it came with a smooth trigger-face.
This one's not been shot much over the years I've owned it; it seemed that simply "having" it was enough. Today, I decided to try some "serious" work with it.
The Revolver: Other than sticking a set of Eagle Secret Service checkered stocks on it, the gun's stock.
With a proper holster, the gun can be easily carried and concealed, but have kind of a "business-like look," should it have to come out.
Ammunition Used: The following loads were used today at distances from 10 to 25 yards.
Two full-house .357 Magnum loadings were used:
Remington 125 gr SJHP
Federal 125 gr JHP (Both of these are advertised at 1450 ft/sec. I suspect they're doing around 1350 to 1375 ft/sec out of this gun.)
One mid-range .357 Magnum load was fired:
Remington 125 gr Golden Saber (About 1150 ft/sec)
One handload was tried. It's a moderate load that can be used quite a bit for practice, but feels like a "magnum" rather than a light thirty-eight.
158 gr CSWC
Starline Cases
Winchester SP Primer
7.0 gr. Unique
Est. Velocity: Around 1100 ft/sec
Since some folks prefer to carry a hot .38 Special load, I also tried the gun with Remington's +P .38 Spec 158 gr LSWCHP.
Continued...