Issues with a S&W Model 19

[sarge1572]

You mention that it was your Dads' "service weapon". As a police department armorer I can tell you that most officers NEVER detail strip their firearms. A few others mentioned a potential issue with the ejector, but it is also a possibility that the revolver has NEVER been disassembled and cleaned. It requires a couple of special tools, so I wouldn't attempt it if you don't have experience removing the sideplate, or disassembling the cylinder............ a few dollars spent on having it detail stripped, inspected, lubricated and assembled using the proper tools will pay for itself with another couple of "decades" of trouble free use.

Good luck. Do the right thing, not the cheap thing.............

[SactoPlinker]

You mention that it was your Dads' "service weapon". As a police department armorer I can tell you that most officers NEVER detail strip their firearms. A few others mentioned a potential issue with the ejector, but it is also a possibility that the revolver has NEVER been disassembled and cleaned. It requires a couple of special tools, so I wouldn't attempt it if you don't have experience removing the sideplate, or disassembling the cylinder............ a few dollars spent on having it detail stripped, inspected, lubricated and assembled using the proper tools will pay for itself with another couple of "decades" of trouble free use.

Good luck. Do the right thing, not the cheap thing.............

Correct, it was his service weapon early on, before his department switched over to semi autos. He never detail stripped, but I do know he would bring it to the armorer every now and then and get it "checked up". If tightening the extractor rod and an extremely thorough cleaning dont solve it, and armorer is the next step.

[darkwater]

This may be the case with newer S&W's but my 19-3 in 2.5' barrel has never had an issue. I have literally had firing sessions lasting 2-400 rounds of mixed loads and not even a hiccup. I would do a full tear down and then check for wear on critical parts.

Yeah, the 317 is an Airlite with an aluminum cylinder and frame (.22LR). I bet we wouldn't have had issues with an all-steel model 17, similar to your all-steel model 19.

[g17owner]

Whoa! No complete tear down. I have 19's, 66's (same gun, one is stainless) and 27's and a complete tear down has never been required after thousands of rounds. Not to mention the damage that can be done by someone not qualified to even remove the side plate properly.

OP stated after less than 100 rounds he experienced tighter action. Then after another 15, even tighter. That does not suggest a complete tear down.

Again, check your extractor rod and under your extraction star.

If you don't know how to even take off the side plate off a S&W then you shouldn't be tinkering with them period. They are not hard to service or make work. It just takes one of these http://www.midwayusa.com/product/314...rry-kuhnhausen and one or two specialized tools and you are a okay. People make it out to be harder then it really is.

[cindynles]

You can isolate the issue to the cylinder or the internals.

With the cylinder open, hold the cylinder latch back and dry fire the gun. If the trigger feels normal you have an issue related to the cylinder. If the trigger still feels heavy then you have an internal issue (most likely with the rebound slide/spring).

[JTROKS]

If you don't know how to even take off the side plate off a S&W then you shouldn't be tinkering with them period. They are not hard to service or make work. It just takes one of these http://www.midwayusa.com/product/314...rry-kuhnhausen and one or two specialized tools and you are a okay. People make it out to be harder then it really is.

True, but some people just aren't mechanically inclined enough or are scared they will screw it up even more. That's why there are gunsmiths and warranty.

[g17owner]

JTROKS you are 100% correct.

[Mr. Beretta]

Hi all.

I'm having an issue with my S&W Model 19-2 revolver chambered in .357 magnum. Its a snub nose (2 1/2" barrel) with original everything on it. It was a service weapon for my dad and has always been meticulously maintained and have never had an issue, till' now.

Was at the range the other day firing off my second box of .357 and when firing it became increasingly harder to fire, as in the cylinder was extremely hard to rotate to the next chamber. After about 15 more rounds I almost could not pull the trigger, and unloaded the weapon and put it away for the day.

Went home, gave a thorough cleaning, visually inspected it and nothing seemed out of the ordinary but the cylinder was still very hard to rotate and the trigger pull was outrageously heavy.

Has anyone experienced this issue? I've never had a problem with this pistol until now and I would like to resolve the issue. FWIW i fire both .38 special and .357 mag out of it.

Thanks in advance.

Any Update ?

[Sky_DiveR]

He pm'd me earlier & said it was just a loose ejector rod.

[Mr. Beretta]

He pm'd me earlier & said it was just a loose ejector rod.

Sounds right! Glad it's fixed...........

[Snapping Twig]

ACK! Put down the visegrips and back away!

First check under the extractor star. Unburnt powder can get under there and bind things up. When ejecting the empties you want the muzzle pointed up. When cleaning make sure you get all the excess oil out from under the star. It will reach out and grab crud.

The extractor rod should have a left hand thread. Purists will tell you "NO LOCTITE!" Well, I used the low strength blue and wiped off almost all of it. You definitely don't want the Loctite getting where it doesn't belong. Firm finger tight should do ya.

Whatever you do don't force the trigger when it binds up or you can bugger your hand/extractor star. Ask how I know.

QFT!

Check under the star and clean it.

[Ribkick]

He pm'd me earlier & said it was just a loose ejector rod.

[OldShooter32]

Also, check your extractor rod. It may have loosened and walked up against the shroud.

^^^This -- Locktite the ejector rod to keep it from working loose. Mine was bad about that until I fixed it.

[highpower]

^^^This -- Locktite the ejector rod to keep it from working loose. Mine was bad about that until I fixed it.

+2. I was at the range last week and the fellow next to me was having troubles with his Model 66 not turning easily. Also the cylinder was very hard for him to open. I suggested that he check the ejector rod and sure enough, it was loose.

Blue loctite solves the problem quite nicely and remember that the threads on the ejector rod on your Model 19 are left hand threads.

[Revoman]

It would be nice of SactoPlinker to get back to this thread and let us know what the issue was.