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So I came into a S&W, Model 19-4 .357 Service Revolver. According to the serial number, this one was manufactured in 1978. It's pinned and recessed. Extremely smooth operating revolver. It's blued.

I need to find a good holster for it. I have a carrying case.

Anybody else have one of these???

Had, two of them. Wouldn't have another unless you plan only to shoot .38 special through it 90% of the time.

Both of mine experienced cracked forcing cones. S&W told me 'matter of factly' that the weapon was not designed for a steady diet of .357 ammo. Found that out when I contacted them about the second weapon's issue.

Otherwise they are fine revolvers. BTW both of my 19's were manufactured in that time period.

Pretty common issue if you google it.

I have one, blue 4" barrel. Great gun. I only shoot 38 special. Forcing cone is an issue but I guess you have to shoot a bunch of .357 to have a problem. I use it for targets. Don't need .357 to punch paper.

S&W 19's shouldn't be fed a steady diet of .357 loads.

rotor wrote:I have one, blue 4" barrel. Great gun. I only shoot 38 special. Forcing cone is an issue but I guess you have to shoot a bunch of .357 to have a problem. I use it for targets. Don't need .357 to punch paper.

I'm sure it varies but both of my 19's had cracked Forcing Cones at the 6 O'Clock position with fewer than 150 rounds each. Factory 125 gr. fodder.

You'll know when it happens because MUCH more gas and some bullet shavings will come flying out of the cylinder gap. Your support hand will be the first to tell you.

It's a nice weapon, don't get me wrong. But if I can't actually shoot .357 through it...I don't want it.

Maybe I just had bad luck, but that was my experience.

flintknapper wrote:

rotor wrote:I have one, blue 4" barrel. Great gun. I only shoot 38 special. Forcing cone is an issue but I guess you have to shoot a bunch of .357 to have a problem. I use it for targets. Don't need .357 to punch paper.

I'm sure it varies but both of my 19's had cracked Forcing Cones at the 6 O'Clock position with fewer than 150 rounds each. Factory 125 gr. fodder.

You'll know when it happens because MUCH more gas and some bullet shavings will come flying out of the cylinder gap. Your support hand will be the first to tell you.

It's a nice weapon, don't get me wrong. But if I can't actually shoot .357 through it...I don't want it.

Maybe I just had bad luck, but that was my experience.

Yep you had lemons. They are not made to take a steady diet of .357, but I have shot M13; 19; 65; 66; etc. . . I have put hundreds of .357 through them because we had to qualify with all .357 rounds when using them on duty. I used to carry a lot of the 2 1/2" revolvers. Just practicing back in the good old days were .38 wadcutters. The L Frame revolvers handle .357 rounds wonderful.

But, 150 rounds of .357 down range through a K Frame you should have been given a new revolver. If buying or getting one used you just never know what the "other" guy did.

I have a 4" nickel 19 I carried for years before we were issued/allowed to carry SA's. 1000's rounds and looks great, the only problem I ever had was a lot of carbon after shooting +P+ US Treasury loads in 38 SPL, I took great advantage of free ammo at the time, Mine is a 19 with no dash afterwards, it shoots great. 148 gr HB wadcutters loaded up side down is a very good loading but very hard to reload fast. I do remember 2 qualifications we had when my partner and I reloaded some spire points for faster reloads and were finished with our 2nd cylinder about the time others were just finishing reloading, we would always try to find out what brass our ammo was going to be to load it !
My issued 2-1/2" 66 has had lots through it also with no problems, when I left they gave me the 2-1/2" with my name engraved in it.

But, 150 rounds of .357 down range through a K Frame you should have been given a new revolver. If buying or getting one used you just never know what the "other" guy did.

Both pistols new. First one failed in less than 50 rounds. Even at that time....I just considered it a fluke. Gun shop replaced it with another new one (new paperwork).

Replacement failed at just under 150 rounds, Gun Shop acted as liaison between me and S&W. Shipped gun back to S&W, received refund and info that the 19 wasn't designed to digest .357 "on a steady basis". Of course... nothing about that was in their literature at the time, nor was anything said about it at the time of the original sale.

Two 'lemons' back to back. Possible...I suppose, but the issue is far from rare with regards to 19's of that time period (late 70's early 80's).

I'm not bashing S&W or the Model 19, just relating my experience so that others (if not already aware) might avoid the same thing. I doubt you can find a replacement barrel these days if a problem occurred.

flintknapper wrote:

But, 150 rounds of .357 down range through a K Frame you should have been given a new revolver. If buying or getting one used you just never know what the "other" guy did.

Both pistols new. First one failed in less than 50 rounds. Even at that time....I just considered it a fluke. Gun shop replaced it with another new one (new paperwork).

Replacement failed at just under 150 rounds, Gun Shop acted as liaison between me and S&W. Shipped gun back to S&W, received refund and info that the 19 wasn't designed to digest .357 "on a steady basis". Of course... nothing about that was in their literature at the time, nor was anything said about it at the time of the original sale.

Two 'lemons' back to back. Possible...I suppose, but the issue is far from rare with regards to 19's of that time period (late 70's early 80's).

I'm not bashing S&W or the Model 19, just relating my experience so that others (if not already aware) might avoid the same thing. I doubt you can find a replacement barrel these days if a problem occurred.

I understand Flint. I just don't think you can count a few understand rounds as a steady diet. I have a M66 I dash that has had several hundreds of .357 down range. I don't shoot it much now and I keep it loaded with .38 +P+. They are strong enough for me.

Dannyboy wrote:So I came into a S&W, Model 19-4 .357 Service Revolver. According to the serial number, this one was manufactured in 1978. It's pinned and recessed. Extremely smooth operating revolver. It's blued.

I need to find a good holster for it. I have a carrying case.

Anybody else have one of these???

For years I had a 19-4 made in 78. but mine was nickeled. It got stolen in Dec. 1996. Still want to find the piece of trash that stole it.

Dannyboy wrote:So I came into a S&W, Model 19-4 .357 Service Revolver. According to the serial number, this one was manufactured in 1978. It's pinned and recessed. Extremely smooth operating revolver. It's blued.

I need to find a good holster for it. I have a carrying case.

Anybody else have one of these???

Your post took a turn off the road and I guess I helped. To get back to your question regarding a holster it would depend on several factors. I.E. will you be hunting, CC, OC, etc. I have a 4" Model 19 with a vintage Alamo Leather Tom Threepersons style holster w/ a retention strap that I use when I'm hunting. I don't use it for EDC, so I have no suggestion other than get a good quality holster. You'll find there are many good name brand holster makers if you search the web and many here on the forum have posted on individual who make quality holsters. Good luck.

I have an old Model 19 that was the first gun I ever bought. Got it used for $125.00 in about 1972. Great condition. It's a safe queen now, but it deserves to be taken out and shot because it shoots like dream.
Never carried that gun, but I do have a S&W 686 in my carry rotation, and I love the Galco Combat Master for it.

It's the smoothest operating revolver I own - not to say I own lot's of them. It just feels like a high quality pistol. I need to take it out on the range.

puma guy wrote: S&W 19's shouldn't be fed a steady diet of .357 loads.

did they realize the cone problem after the fact?

Dannyboy wrote:

puma guy wrote: S&W 19's shouldn't be fed a steady diet of .357 loads.

did they realize the cone problem after the fact?

The Model 19 is a K-frame revolver that was never intended to see a steady diet of .357 Mag rounds. Their primary market was law enforcement agencies whose officers wanted a lighter gun than the heavier Model 28 (rarely a Mod. 27) N-frame guns. The common practice was to shoot 38 Special in practice and training, but carry the gun with .357 Mag. I have four Model 19s; one 4 inch and three 2 1/2". and they are excellent revolvers.

Chas.