110 and 125gr was the result of the cracking.
Stay with 158gr or 180. Less ear cracking also
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A steady diet of 357 Magnum loads in a Model
19 will potententially result in a cracked forcing cone. Do not grt get duped that it only happens with 110 pr 125 grain magnum loads.
I cracked the forcing cone on my Model 19 shooting 158 grain full power loads in bowlng pin matches and then later IHMSA silhouette.
If you have a Model 19, shooting magnum ammunition once in a while is ok, the revolver is capable. Just keep your loads at hot 38 Special or less for practice or range plinking.
I got lucky and S&W replaced my barrel on their dime around 1980. It ain’t going to happen today as barrels are not avaliable.
Besides my first 6” Model 19, I’ve added a 4” and 2” to my collection. When I shoot them, they will not see full power 357 Magnum ammunition.
I have a hot 38 Special load in a 357 Magnum case that I pretty much only shoot in my 357 Magnum revolvers these days.
The current Classic Model 19 has been tedesigned that it should be able to handle a steady diet of full power 357 Magnum loads.
I recently bought a new production Python. It shoots well but time will tell if it can compete with an S&W 586/686 revolver.
The Python shoots well but I am not sure the extra cost is worth it over a S&W Model 686 or 586.
The Python is my first Colt revolver. I’d like to get an Anaconda, and then I’ll be done buying Colt revolvers.
Colt 1911’s are a different story.