Should I have this revolver recrowned?

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Buck13

Buck13

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A few years ago, I bought a 6" S&W 19-3 face-to-face from a previous owner. Cylinder locks up nice and tight, no endshake and the SA action is sweet (and doesn't seem prone to any slip-off misbehavior, but I'm none the less extra-cautious with it when cocked). However, accuracy has never been quite what I would hope. Looking at the barrel crown now, I'm wondering "Why the heck did I buy this thing?"

I'm pretty sure I didn't do any of this damage. I barely ever clean the thing! (It could use a cleaning right now, judging by that powder flake perched on the edge of the bore.) When I do, I mostly pull patches through it with a nylon line tool. But I don't know how I overlooked this at the time of purchase...

Should I get it recrowned for accuracy? I don't care about resale value one way or another. I don't have the world's steadiest hold, so it's not like we're looking to eke out the last few points in Bullseye shooting, but if it would take an inch off my groups at 50 feet, it might be worth it.

And if yes, any recommendation of a smith to do it. Ideally within a couple-three hours drive of Seattle, since I kinda hate shipping guns, but if I gotta...

IMG_5103.jpg IMG_5107.jpg
 
Unless you are a long barrel fan.
You may want to shorten the barrel in addition to recrowning.
Just a thought...
 
If it shoots fine, ignore it :rofl:

It's just a pistol, not a long - range rifle :rofl:

But that may be an indirect hint towards the condition of the bore...
 
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Clean it, soak it until there is zero residue. A Lewis lead remover or similar device. Get it as clean as possible first. Then take a pic so we can see. Not sure if I am seeing damage or buildup. It’s it’s scratched and scored the bluing would be gone and you would see bare metal. But damn that looks bad.
 
WisBorn said:
Unless you are a long barrel fan.
You may want to shorten the barrel in addition to recrowning.
Just a thought...
Click to expand...
God, no!!! I'm perennially on the lookout for a S&W with a 8-3/8" barrel. Don't really care what caliber. I passed on a .41 Magnum at a really fair price about five years ago 'cause I was waiting for an unwanted pistol to sell, and I've been kicking myself ever since.

Anyway, I already have a 4" .357, too.
 
fxvr5 said:
Why?
Click to expand...
I like shorter barrels and if someone is going to send in a pistol to be recrowned it may be the right time to shorten the barrel.
As I started my comment; unless you like longer barrels. @Buck13 noted he likes the length. I had a 7" 657 and I kick myself for selling it was a great target/hunting revolver.
 
If that is indeed damage, I'd say bubba lost his claw hammer and had a deck to build...

Ill admit, my first thought was a reamer. A piloted 11° facing reamer and bench vise could get the job done.
 
Buck13 said:
However, accuracy has never been quite what I would hope.
Click to expand...

Howdy

So the first question is, what kind of shooting are you doing with accuracy less than you would hope?

I always say, the only way to find out how accurate a firearm is, is to remove the human element. Shooting a revolver standing, with the pistol waiving around at the end of your arm is no way to determine how accurate the revolver is. For accurate shooting with a revolver, the next best thing to using a Ransom Rest, is to shoot sitting down, resting the revolver on a rest. I usually sit at a table, using sandbags to support the revolver. Either rest the butt on the sandbags or rest the barrel on them. Start out close, closer than 50 feet, maybe ten yards. Rest the revolver, get your sight picture, and squeeeeze the trigger slowly. (Single action of course). Fire at least five rounds, without moving, to see how big a group you get. Then repeat.

If you are still unsatisfied with the accuracy, then think about what to do about it.
 
A nice Target crown from a skilled gunsmith would be a plus in looks and probably accuracy.I have a pistol that has similar muzzle corrosion on the end of the barrel. It was put behind the ear of livestock and the gun was not cleaned quickly. Blood is terribly erossive. .
 
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