heavier bullets vs. light

[MIgunguy]

Twice tonight I've read about avoiding lighter bullets in a revolver for the sake of wear and tear, once about avoiding 110 gr .38 Spl +P, and another about avoiding 125 gr .357 Mag in a S&W M19. Why is that? I thought heavier bullets would do more damage but obviously I'm wrong. Do the lighter bullets allow (or need?) a larger powder charge to get them moving faster to be effective, and that's what's bad for the gun, the charge? On a related note I have some 180 gr .357's meant for hunting from Federal that I bought to use in a Marlin 1894 that I later sold... can I use these in a M19?

 

[KyJim]

I have never heard of the 110 gr .38 spl +p rounds harming a revolver rated for +p ammo. Some people don't like the light rounds because they don't penetrate as well.

The Model 19 is a beefed up SW K-frame, the same frame as most of their .38 specials. It was designed for practice with .38 special and for carry with .357 magnums back when almost all peace officers carried revolvers. It was designed when the standard magnum load was the 158 gr. .357 magnum. Later, loads were developed for 110 gr and especially 125 gr bullets. Because the lighter bullets left the shell casing faster, it allowed more of the flame to cut into the revolver's topstrap and the forcing cone. The shorter bullets also have to "jump" further into the forcing cone which impacts the bottom of the forcing cone. Together, this creates problems with a cracked forcing cone. SW finally reacted by building the L-frames like the 686.

Yes, you can use the 180 gr rounds. Just do so in moderation.

 

[Sunray]

"...in a S&W M19..." They were relatively light weight revolvers that wouldn't handle a steady diet of hot .357 ammo. Shot bullseye with one for years with .38 WC loads. Never did quite fit my hand, no matter what I did with the grips. Dumped it when I bought my GP 100. Fits my hand perfectly.
No .38 +P ammo will bother any .357 though. Plus P .38's are not as hot as the lightest .357 load.
180 grain bullets will give you heavy felt recoil when compared to a 125, though. Think physiscs. Heavy bullets need velocity to make any difference. Bullet construction has a great deal to do with what it does too.
No manufacturer has any idea what firearm their ammo will be used in, so it's loaded for the weakest firearm possible. For example, most .45-70 factory ammo is loaded to BP specs for this reason.