TimM
Member
Federal 357 Magnum 125 Grain Personal Defense Ammunition - Will this ammo perform from a 2.5" and 3" barrel or is it designed for longer barreled handguns?
Federal 357 Magnum 125 Grain Personal Defense Ammunition
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High speed 125 gr .357 ammo must be used in the revolvers designed for extensive use of full power loads. This load must be avoided in the revolvers that are designed for training with .38 Spl and loading with .357 such as Mod 19/66. Barrel length stays secondary when you consider such high speed ammunition.
On the other hand it is sure that using sub or near to sub barreled revolvers will limit to reach the full potential of the load.
Regards.
On the other hand it is sure that using sub or near to sub barreled revolvers will limit to reach the full potential of the load.
Regards.
islandphish
Member
I understood that m19 is designed for full power loads.
The problem comes from using lower grain bullets that leave more room at the forcing cone for gases, causing cutting. Hence the use 158 or larger recommendations.
The problem comes from using lower grain bullets that leave more room at the forcing cone for gases, causing cutting. Hence the use 158 or larger recommendations.
'' However, Smith and Wesson and many authorities recommended the Combat Magnum be considered a .38 Special to be fired occasionally with Magnum ammunition. The frame is light and the parts the same size as the .38 frame guns. There is no free lunch. Quite simply, the revolver was long on carrying and handling but while no more fragile than any other revolver, it was not meant to be fired with thousands of heavy loads. Shooters who understood this simple rule have enjoyed thousands of rounds with the Magnum revolver. A good rule of thumb is that a practice ratio of ten to one, with ten .38s fired for every Magnum, should be maintained.''
You may also get a full review of the Model 19 by the link below where those staments are taken from.
http://www.gunblast.com/RKCampbell_SWsBest.htm
Regards.
The Bushmaster
Member
WOW!!! I'm in trouble again...I've been using full house magnums in my S&W mod 19 Combat Magnum 2 1/2" for 18 years without issue...In fact it has never seen .38 Specials...When should I expect it to blow up? I'll mark it on my calender...
, Lol.Stay relaxed, if they were mostly with 147 gr and heavier bullets with relatively slower velocities, and if you begin to follow the rules of shooting a Model 19, lower flat part of the barrel at six o'clock position will stay intact for an additional 18 years.
.Regards.
TimM
Member
Ok, I have a Model 19 2.5" and a GP100 3". Should I stick to 158 gr magnum loads for the Mod 19? I also have a plethora of +P+ Ranger 38 Special loads that I assume would be a good choice for this revolver.
Would the 125 gr Federals be a good choice for the GP100?
Would the 125 gr Federals be a good choice for the GP100?
The Bushmaster
Member
Well LUPUS...My favorite loading is 125 grain SJHP over 7.8 grains of W-231 CCI-550 primed. And 140 grain SJHP over 7.7 grains of W-231 CCI-550 primed. I use the Mod 19 for winter carry so it sees a lot of practice in the summer months...Both loadings give me 1100+ fps. from the 2 1/2" barrel.
Federals ballistic data on line says that the velocity of this round is 1,440 fps from a 4" vented test barrel (simulated a revolver) so its not a downloaded round by any means. Velocity from a 2.5" to 3" barrel should be around 1,300 to 1,350 fps depending upon the vagaries of the particular gun. It will certainly be a better performer than a 125gr .38 spl +P that would have a velocity around 800 to 850 fps. The magnum load will have significantly higher recoil, muzzle blast and flash.
islandphish
Member
internet myths abound, the m19 debate has been gone over here ad nauseum.
TimM
Member
And how does this comment add to this discussion? :banghead:
islandphish
Member
I added it as a recommendation that LUPUS do a little more reading on the topic here at THR. Bein' as how he's a new member of less than a month.
Just trying to promote healthy discussion and correct information.
btw, I can't give any links because the search function hasn't been working for me for the last couple of days...
Just trying to promote healthy discussion and correct information.
btw, I can't give any links because the search function hasn't been working for me for the last couple of days...
TimM
Member
The search function rarely ever works for me.
Confederate
Member
Yes! Any brand of 125-gr JHP ammo out of any gun, regardless of barrel length. Federal's an excellent choice and a 158-gr JHP will generally recoil more, overpenetrate and fail to expand. It's more for hunting. The 110-gr JHPs tend to over-fragment and result in excessive gas cutting. For .38 +P they're okay, but I wouldn't use them out of a magnum.
Most modern ammo these days are optimized for shorter barrels and employ pretty fast burning powder.
Having said all that, I think some of the .38 Spc +P loads are very much underrated these days. Indoors or CCW, I might opt for those. Just a thought though.
Bushmaster
It is not how many years you have owned a model 19, it is how many 125 grain rounds you have fired.
Please note that S&W discontinued this model and replaced it with a model based on the larger L-frame used for the model 586 and 686. The L-frame was introduced specifically to overcome the problems with the model 19 and more severe problems of the stainless model 66.
The model 19's never blew up that I have heard. They just worked themselves loose to the point that it effected accuracy and functionality.
Note, RUGER made a big deal that their similar sized, but stronger Security Six line did not suffer this problem.
Jim
It is not how many years you have owned a model 19, it is how many 125 grain rounds you have fired.
Please note that S&W discontinued this model and replaced it with a model based on the larger L-frame used for the model 586 and 686. The L-frame was introduced specifically to overcome the problems with the model 19 and more severe problems of the stainless model 66.
The model 19's never blew up that I have heard. They just worked themselves loose to the point that it effected accuracy and functionality.
Note, RUGER made a big deal that their similar sized, but stronger Security Six line did not suffer this problem.
Jim
The Bushmaster
Member
I must be lucky, Golden. I have ran thousands of the above rounds through this M 19. Beings as how I was going to my gunsmith to have some custom work done on a Colt .45 ACP I took the M 19 with me and had him inspect it and asked him the same question. Mine is in top condition and he debunked the idea stated above. Hot loads are what will cause loosening of any firearm. Even the L frames...My loads, though close, are not maximum loadings...
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