New to these older guns, I picked a 2.5 inch bbl 19-3 satin nickle for 350 a few days ago. I was told not to shoot light loads like 125grain hot 357 in it. Is this true and what about the heavier loads, will it hurt this gun or is it primarily better as a 38. Also have some freckling on the gun, what can polish or get this out without hurting the finish. Thanks.

That's a good deal on a 2.5" M19! You can run 125gr .357 loads through the gun, just don't put 1000s of rounds of that type of ammo through it or it may loosen up a bit.

I've got a 2.5" M66, same as your gun but stainless steel, and I feed it mostly mid-range .357 loads (158gr, 173gr Keith bullets over Unique) along with 38spl wadcutters for practice.

So long as you don't run an 8lb keg of H110 under 125gr JHP's through your gun every year, you'll be fine.

This stuff works especially well on Nickel finishes and most other metals.

I didn't realize these were so nice. It's got me really wanting to load for 357 again but in a newer gun. And I won't be shooting hot stuff in this one much just basically some hot light loads for cc.

What's good to polish these guns with.

Thanks 41 Magfan

….nice gun/good price…..

….the suggestion to avoid 125 gr. bullets is due to the thin barrel extension on the bottom of the barrel:

….it doesn't show too well in this photo, but the bottom of the barrel extension is milled flat and hence is slightly thinner than the rest of the barrel. This is done on K-frames to make room for the yoke/crane to close. There has been an inordinate number of barrels that have cracked at this point when 125 gr bullets have been used…..why? Someone explained it to me once, but I honestly don't remember the details---it was more along the lines of a warning when buying a used K-frame, not a suggestion not to use 125 gr. but IIRC had to do with the shorter length of the projectile compared to heavier bullets.

I don't think I'd worry too much about hurting a K frame snubby with full power loads. I don't think you'll shoot that many full power loads through it.
I have a 3" 66 and it is one of my favorites, but I only fire a few full power loads through it during each range session. They're just not that much fun with full power loads.
FWIW I shoot mostly 140s for all of my full power 357 loads. Cast 158 or 125 at a mid level (357) if fun and works for most of my needs..

Ernie

I have never seen a satin nickle Smith. Ya have photos?

Ed, money can create any dream you want.

But, I would love to see some photos.. and who's the gunnie that did the work.

Very nice price, even for a shooter grade 19-3 snubby. I do not believe the 19-3 was produced in satin nickel; so it probably has been modified but looks good. I have had good luck using Flitz or Mother's for polish. Will not remove freckling; but make it less noticeable. I like to finish with Renaissance Wax.
I like my 19-3/19-4 snubbies: