ironlung
Member
Let me start by saying what a great site to find out here on the internet!!!
Well I have an old 19-3. It is blue finish with 4 inch barrel. The serial dates to 1973. My family purchased the revolver from a friend in law enforcement in the mid 80's when his department switched to semi-auto.
My dad gave it to me when I was 16 back in the early 90's. I shot alot(+15,000) of 38 special at my range. 99% of the 38 special was 800 fps lead wadcutters. The range did not allow magnums.
I also did some cosmetic damage opening the side plate a little more carelessly than I should have.
Fast forward 10+ years away from the hobby(1 day at a time).
The old range is long gone and the new range happily allows magnums. So I get a white box full of target/range 125grain .357 magnums.
On my third set of six round I notice a change in report on a few rounds and get a little spatter of hot particles hitting my face.
Halfway through the box I get the strange report and spatter and notice cocking the hammer takes a little more effort for the next shot.
Fire the next shot and it locked up tight as a drum. The cylinder will not rotate or drop. I talk to the range gunsmith and he states I have a bent crane.
So I take it home and start my google search(and found this site) only to find out that Smith & Wesson were aware of K frames having trouble digesting 125 grain mag loads and warned against using them in K frames.:banghead:
Have you read this far? Boy your persistent!
So I ask the board what direction to take this old classic? Assuming the forcing cone is still intact (Smith claims no new barrels for 19-3).
What is the best way to take this project?
Is this revolver "special" and should be returned to factory original function and finish?
Is this revolver "common" and could be taken as an opportunity to get a laundry list of Smith & Wesson Performance Center work done on the old 6 shooter?
Thanks for your time,
Ironlung
Well I have an old 19-3. It is blue finish with 4 inch barrel. The serial dates to 1973. My family purchased the revolver from a friend in law enforcement in the mid 80's when his department switched to semi-auto.
My dad gave it to me when I was 16 back in the early 90's. I shot alot(+15,000) of 38 special at my range. 99% of the 38 special was 800 fps lead wadcutters. The range did not allow magnums.
I also did some cosmetic damage opening the side plate a little more carelessly than I should have.
Fast forward 10+ years away from the hobby(1 day at a time).
The old range is long gone and the new range happily allows magnums. So I get a white box full of target/range 125grain .357 magnums.
On my third set of six round I notice a change in report on a few rounds and get a little spatter of hot particles hitting my face.
Halfway through the box I get the strange report and spatter and notice cocking the hammer takes a little more effort for the next shot.
Fire the next shot and it locked up tight as a drum. The cylinder will not rotate or drop. I talk to the range gunsmith and he states I have a bent crane.
So I take it home and start my google search(and found this site) only to find out that Smith & Wesson were aware of K frames having trouble digesting 125 grain mag loads and warned against using them in K frames.:banghead:
Have you read this far? Boy your persistent!
So I ask the board what direction to take this old classic? Assuming the forcing cone is still intact (Smith claims no new barrels for 19-3).
What is the best way to take this project?
Is this revolver "special" and should be returned to factory original function and finish?
Is this revolver "common" and could be taken as an opportunity to get a laundry list of Smith & Wesson Performance Center work done on the old 6 shooter?
Thanks for your time,
Ironlung