sticky cylinder

I would try scrubbing them up with a brass bore brush and hoppe's #9. It could just be some crud in there hanging up shells. Other than that I wouldn't have an idea.

Someone has been shooting .38's and then went to .357's...

Just a guess...

As mentioned, try cleaning the heck out of all chambers...

See if that cures it...

ADDING:

Off topic, but my Dad used to stay at the Wellston Inn back in the 70's when he fished the Manistee rivers...

Chuck a .40 cal bore brush in a cordless drill and gofer it with some bore cleaner on the brush.

That will remove anything Mr. Smith & Mr. Wesson didn't put there in about 10 seconds per chamber.

rc

What R C said !

I have done it, it works.

Always remember that the chambers are larger then the bore, so a bore brush won't do what's needed to clean chambers.

But don't use your larger chamber brush to scrub the bore, because if you do you will ruin it (the brush, not the bore).

We used to use stainless steel chamber brushes for the chambers.. I still have some but rarely use them. It takes about eighty pounds of force to jam one through a cylinder.. or so.

Is your 19 nickle or blue? If it is blue you may wish to soak the cylinder before cleaning it. First take the cylinder off the 19. Then put it in a mayonaise jar. Fill the mayonaise jar with solvent 1/4 inch above the cylinder. Let it soak for at least 20 minutes. It should be much easier to clean now. I have used this method with all my S&Ws and never had a problem with sticky chambers. If your 19 is nickle do not use Hoppes. I have heard Hoppes can damage the nickle finish. Hoppes has ammonia which is harmful to nickle finishes. If it is nickle use a solvent that does not have ammonia in it.

I had the same problem with my model 19. Got lots of advice about cleaning the cylinders really well, using jewlers rouge, etc. Tried several. Best advice I received was from Old Fuff on this forum to call Smith and Wesson. I called S&W and they said the cylinder was shot out and needed to be replaced. I sent it to them, and they replaced it. Problem solved. When you get it back, don't shoot lightweight hollow points and you'll be fine. Stay with heavier bullets in .357 or .38s. It's a great gun.