I have a model 19-5. I bought it on a whim used, and it ended up being the best shooter I have. The strange part is that the gap measures .013. I notice some spitting of what I assume is burnt powder. I have debated on sending it back to Smith but am afraid that I could end up getting it back with an uneven gap or something else slipping by Smith’s quality control. I hate to risk ruining a great shooting gun, but don’t know if I’m taking a risk shooting it. Like I said earlier it is a great shooting gun, better than my model 17 or gold cup national match. Thoughts?
Model 19 cylinder gap
- Thread starter 7600carbine
- Start date
- Status
Riomouse911
Member
There are lots of S&W gunsmiths who could help tighten up your Model 19, I would search out ones the guys here recommend and try them first.
All I can add is my most recent S&W return was a huge disappointment, my 48-3 is still not right. The performance center told me to wait from March until June to ship it, they had it from June to October, charged me $192.00 plus $30 shipping... and it’s back at the local gunsmith getting fixed again because it couldn’t get through a box of .22 WMR without seizing up again.
Just my .02...
Stay safe.
All I can add is my most recent S&W return was a huge disappointment, my 48-3 is still not right. The performance center told me to wait from March until June to ship it, they had it from June to October, charged me $192.00 plus $30 shipping... and it’s back at the local gunsmith getting fixed again because it couldn’t get through a box of .22 WMR without seizing up again.
Just my .02...
Stay safe.
“Ballistics by the Inch” did some studies on velocity loss from the gap. I don’t think you are losing much and the thought of them doing some damage makes me think I would leave the gun alone.
Kookla
Member
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2015
- Messages
- 1,115
Just keep it as is and shoot it.
.013" gap is not really as bad as it sounds and I would almost bet that S&W today will say it is "in spec.". Absolutely DO NOT return the gun to S&W - they will not fix the problem and might make it worse. There ARE plenty of good revolversmiths out there who can correct the gap. If the gun is accurate then I wouldn't sweat the gap too much.
check the "carry up": cock the empty!!! gun while putting a bit of a drag on the cylinder, note whether, or not, the bolt falls into the bolt notch (s&w calls the "bolt" something else which eludes me at the moment). if not, the gun has a timing issue and should be checked out by a smith. the spitting can be caused by the cylinder out of line with the barrel which is caused by this issue.
luck,
murf
luck,
murf
.308 Norma
Member
Just leave the gun alone and keep shooting it even though it's spitting burnt powder???
I once had a 357 Mag (a Dan Wesson) that spit burnt powder back at me. Without gauntlet gloves and a full-face shield it was painful and dangerous to shoot.
I eventually traded the gun off to a local gunsmith (who also had a gunstore) that figured he could fix it by changing the angle of the forcing cone. BTW, to stop that revolver from stinging my hands, arms and face every time I fired it, I DID try adjusting its barrel/cylinder gap - several times. It didn't work, and I never was that fond of the gun anyway. That's why I gave up and traded it off - for a 10.5" Ruger "Super Silhouette" 44 Mag if I remember right. I never followed up to find out whether or not that gunsmith was able to fix the Dan Wesson 357 Mag.
Last edited:
.308 Norma
Member
.455_Hunter
Member
Excessive cylinder gap is one of my big pet peeves, especially in a high-pressure, high-performance magnum cartridge. I have bypassed purchase of several nice guns for this reason alone.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Really shouldnt run alot of magnum cartridges through an old 19 anyway- cracked forcing cones are a thing on those. Best thought of as a .38 with the capability to fire .357s occasionally.
To the OP, as long as the carryup, locking, and end shake are acceptable, I wouldnt worry about that gap too much.
.455_Hunter
Member
It's pretty sad when a "war emergency" production Webley MKVI from 1916 in low pressure / low performance .455 has a tighter cylinder gap than a current S&W or Ruger magnum.
Thanks for the advice, I checked the timing and everything seems good and tight. Looks like I’ll probably live with the gap and keep shooting.
- Status
Similar threads
