Hmmm, How things change

I have never been a big fan of revolvers. I had a model 28 Smith&Wesson back in the early 80's. I liked it and wish I still had it but have never really missed it either. I had a Taurus 357 with a ported barrel. I don't remember the model number. I really DIDN'T like that gun. I shot it one time without hearing protection and it felt like needles sticking in my ear drums. I then tried to decide the best way to get some bad guy to wait for me to get out a pair of ear plugs and roll them up and put them in my ears before shooting him. I really didn't come up with a good story to tell a bad guy, so I traded it off. I have never missed that one.

Well today I planned on taking my newly aquired model 19 out to try it out. I went to the gun shop to get some ammo for it. While I was there I noticed a model 60 S&W just for giggles and kicks I asked the guy behind the counter if I could fondle it. WOW. It was kinda small but it handled really good. It had a 3 inch barrel. I thought "Hey I kinda like this"  So, now I can hardly wait to get the 19 out and shoot it. I gatherd up a box of 38's and a box of .357's and I was off.

I finally got to the range, and dang, this thing shoots! At 25 yards 4 of the first 6 were on a peice of printer paper. That was with 38's. I didn't do as good with 357's but it wasn't the gun. I need to practice more. I ended up shooting 50 rounds of each.

I have a whole new outlook on wheel guns now. I think I could start to like them. I am thinking about going back out to look at that model 60 again. I have a Kahr CW9 for a carry gun. I am not that crazy about it. I wonder how much it would be worth in trade HMMM.....

Wing master

Bird Dog,

I am looking forward to this new toy. The thing about the brass was the first thing I noticed. I usually come home with less brass than I went with when shooting pistols.

I plan on fondleing the 19 and also my other pistols. I don't want anyone to feel left out.

Wing master

It is a 4 inch barrel Bear. It seems just about right. Short enough to get out of a holster, and long enough to shoot good. Like you said, It just feels good.

Wing master

Wing;

If'n you roll yer own for that 19, work up an accurate load, and practice, practice, practice, it's perfectly possible to put all 6 in the chest of a B27 at a hundred yards.  Offhand.

900F

Wing;

For practice & plinking, I'll use 4.5 or 5.0 grains of 700X in Winchester cases with CCI small pistol primers.  The bullet I like to use is Berry's copper-washed lead, 125 grain flat point.  Your gun will let you know what powder charge it likes best in that range.  Velocity in a 4" barrel should run about 860 to 900 fps.

For combat loads, I'll use the sames cases & primer, but switch the bullet to the Speer 125 gr Gold Dot HP, & the powder to Blue Dot.  Start about 11.5 grains & work up.  Now Alliant has stated that you shouldn't use Blue Dot with 125 gr bullets.  Number 1: They never said why not.  Number 2: I've been doing it for a while and a half now & never had a problem.  Speer 14 lists 11.5 as the start & 13.0 as max.  And, the gun they used to work up the loads was indeed a Smith model 19 6".  Their velocities were 1252 to 1333 fps, in a 6 inch barrel.

Check your model 19 thoroughly for cylinder end shake & all that.  I will run a bit hotter than Speer max charge in my gun.  And only for social purposes ammo.  I do not use, nor suggest using, combat loads for anything other than combat.  A steady diet of heavy loads will reduce your K-frame Smith to a wall hanger in fairly short order.  If you want to feel recoil when shooting your .357 magnum, get a Ruger GP100 & go for it. 

900F

Wingmaster.

I love my wheel guns. For several reasons. They never ever fail to fire! They never ever jam when you really need them! You can spice up your loads for hunting and the gun is no less the wear for it. ( with in reason)

God forbid you ever have to use it in a deffencive manner. and in the wrong state. They only leave bullets behind. No brass evidence with finger prints and markings on them. Maybe I watch to much C.S.I. but I do think of these things

Just get a model 66 while yer at it Kingpin.  Pinned & recessed too, make it a worthwhile search ya know.

 foo