Cracked forcing cone woes

[Targa]

Ouch!! I think that would be my recoil limits as well after that.

 

[ThomasT]

My recoil limits are about a 45 acp or 38 out of a full size revolver.

In your case I would be looking for something like a S&W model 14 or K-38 for a range gun. People shoot those thousands of times and never seem to wear them out. Or maybe a model 15 with its 4" barrel so its a little more portable. I love shooting 38 special.

But this thread did make me dig out my revolvers last night and look at all the forcing cones. I saw no damage or hardly anything I could call wear on any of them. And my most shot gun is a 6" GP-100 bought back around 1989 that I used in falling plate matches. Plus I shot it at least once ever couple of weeks when I would go to the woods to shoot. And I always shot a couple hundred rounds. Especially at the plate matches. I would shoot between 300-400 rounds then. I am guessing I have over 5,000 rounds through that gun with no wear to speak of. And that count is on the low side.

 

[Obturation]

I could get a 10mm Glock that has more power and double the capacity for less weight pretty much is the death knell of the large frame revolver in the 21st Century.

Not really. I don't consider a 357 (basically ballistics wise very similar) a large frame revolver. Not starting a caliber debate but there is no auto that is the equal of a big bore revolver. Even the desert eagle in 50 ae doesn't match a big revolver and the auto loaders don't get much bigger than that. Nothing besides the DE can match the 44 mag, some pretty handy 44 mag revolvers out there that carry much easier. Just depends on if you desire such a powerful handgun. I love the 10mm but it's not really the stomper many consider it to be. I carry a g20 regularly and it's darn good for a bottom feeder and much easier to carry than a 357, it will never replace the magnums though.

 

[PWC]

What actually is the cause of a cracked forcing cone? Hi round count of oversize jacketed / hard cast bullets? Hard bullets with max loads? Cylinder slight out of time?

 

[TTv2]

Not really. I don't consider a 357 (basically ballistics wise very similar) a large frame revolver. Not starting a caliber debate but there is no auto that is the equal of a big bore revolver. Even the desert eagle in 50 ae doesn't match a big revolver and the auto loaders don't get much bigger than that. Nothing besides the DE can match the 44 mag, some pretty handy 44 mag revolvers out there that carry much easier. Just depends on if you desire such a powerful handgun. I love the 10mm but it's not really the stomper many consider it to be. I carry a g20 regularly and it's darn good for a bottom feeder and much easier to carry than a 357, it will never replace the magnums though.

I never said that the 10mm was better or more powerful than .44 Mag and while I said that the 10mm is the death knell for the large frame revolver, I mean that in terms of practicality for most people. Most people do not live where grizzlies and moose are nearby and a .44 Mag would be a good option for protection against those big animals.

Other than that and hunting, a .44 revolver is not a practical gun to own. If you prefer revolvers and enjoy shooting them, hey, so do I, but when I look at a .357 like the GP100 or 686, I fail to see what it's giving me that a 10mm Glock doesn't. With the Glock 10's, you're getting something that is dead nuts reliable and durable right out of the box that weighs less, carries more ammo, faster reloads, shoots cheap .40 S&W without issue, and is nearly the same, if not better ballistics than .357 Mag.

I'm not saying .357 isn't worth owning, I like my lightweight, 5 shot Charters, but I just don't see how 7 or even 8 shot .357's are worth the $650 to $900 they cost at a time when new production revolver quality is as low as it's ever been.

 

[CajunBass]

Not too long ago, I looked at a Smith and Wesson Model 15-10. Interesting gun because it looked for all the world like a Model 19, shrouded ejector rod and all, but was marked 15-10 and 38 Special. It was made for a short time in the "Classic" series, in 2011. How many were made I have no idea.

I was thinking about getting it, oddball stuff appeals to me at times, but when I checked the Forcing Cone I was surprised to find it cracked. Pointed it out to the store, and the gun vanished off into the back never to be seen again.

Now rather it had a cylinder that would accept 357 ammo or not, (I also had a 19-8 that was marked and chambered 38 Special only at one time) I don't know. I was surprised that the very first cracked forcing cone I ever saw was on a gun marked "38 Special."

 

[ThomasT]

Other than that and hunting, a .44 revolver is not a practical gun to own. If you prefer revolvers and enjoy shooting them, hey, so do I, but when I look at a .357 like the GP100 or 686, I fail to see what it's giving me that a 10mm Glock doesn't. With the Glock 10's, you're getting something that is dead nuts reliable and durable right out of the box that weighs less, carries more ammo, faster reloads, shoots cheap .40 S&W without issue, and is nearly the same, if not better ballistics than .357 Mag.

Good points. And you forgot to mention it also throws your expensive brass all over the place. I reload and hate losing my brass. My bud has a 10mm Glock and its a nice gun. It wasn't the powerhouse I thought it would be but I believe it beats the 357 in power. But its not up with the 41 mag. But its hard to argue with its capacity. And weight advantage.

As for the cracked forcing cones I have no answers. But I have wondered if maybe the forcing cone narrowed back down to bore size too early. I have checked that before using a wad cutter bullet and inserting it into the forcing cone to see how deep it went before it stopped. Some guns let the bullet seat deeper and some stopped the bullet early on. I suspect the the barrels that let the bullet seat deeper would be less likely to crack the forcing cone since the high pressure area would be closer to the frame. If you want I can take a picture showing what I am talking about. But it has nothing to do with erosion.

 

[ThomasT]

I looked on Lucky Gunner and compared some of the published energy figures for the 357 and 10mm and overall they are pretty much the same. No real advantage power wise to either one. But the capacity of the 10mm makes it a better option if you think you need more than 6-8 rounds on hand.

 

[TTv2]

Good points. And you forgot to mention it also throws your expensive brass all over the place. I reload and hate losing my brass. My bud has a 10mm Glock and its a nice gun. It wasn't the powerhouse I thought it would be but I believe it beats the 357 in power. But its not up with the 41 mag. But its hard to argue with its capacity. And weight advantage.

Get a brass catcher or otherwise picking up the brass comes with the territory. I'm sure you reload for rimless calibers and that hasn't stopped you from shooting and loading 9mm of .45 ACP.

I shot 20 rounds of 7.62x25 Tok last night, guys next to me shot hundreds of rounds of 9mm, floor was covered in brass. I said I was saving my brass and it was really easy for all of us to find the bottleneck cases. Among a bunch of 9mm, 10mm brass sticks out.

I never said that 10mm is up there with .41 Mag, maybe years ago when I was ill informed, but .41 is even worse than .357 because so many of the .41 revolvers made were put on .44 Mag frames.

If someone made a .41 revolver sized specifically for the .41 Magnum, it would make me think about it, but the .41 ship sailed decades ago, it's headed for obsolescence, if it's not there already.

 

[ThomasT]

Get a brass catcher or otherwise picking up the brass comes with the territory. I'm sure you reload for rimless calibers and that hasn't stopped you from shooting and loading 9mm of .45 ACP.

I shot 20 rounds of 7.62x25 Tok last night, guys next to me shot hundreds of rounds of 9mm, floor was covered in brass. I said I was saving my brass and it was really easy for all of us to find the bottleneck cases. Among a bunch of 9mm, 10mm brass sticks out.

I never said that 10mm is up there with .41 Mag, maybe years ago when I was ill informed, but .41 is even worse than .357 because so many of the .41 revolvers made were put on .44 Mag frames.

If someone made a .41 revolver sized specifically for the .41 Magnum, it would make me think about it, but the .41 ship sailed decades ago, it's headed for obsolescence, if it's not there already.

Hi TT. I don't shoot 45acp and 9mm brass is so cheap and easy to come by its one round I don't chase the brass on. I pick it up if it hits the cement but if its in the grass just leave it laying. A 10mm. I would chase the brass.

I did the 41 mag game years ago and finally gave it up and went with the 44 mag. There is not enough size difference to merit a new gun size for the 41 mag. And I know you didn't compare the 41 mag to the 10mm but a lot of others do. There are not the same. The 41 mag is sort of in the same boat as the new 32 calibers like the 32 mag and 327. They are best considered to be rounds for the handloading crowd.

 

[Trashyshoots]

In your case I would be looking for something like a S&W model 14 or K-38 for a range gun. People shoot those thousands of times and never seem to wear them out. Or maybe a model 15 with its 4" barrel so its a little more portable. I love shooting 38 special.

But this thread did make me dig out my revolvers last night and look at all the forcing cones. I saw no damage or hardly anything I could call wear on any of them. And my most shot gun is a 6" GP-100 bought back around 1989 that I used in falling plate matches. Plus I shot it at least once ever couple of weeks when I would go to the woods to shoot. And I always shot a couple hundred rounds. Especially at the plate matches. I would shoot between 300-400 rounds then. I am guessing I have over 5,000 rounds through that gun with no wear to speak of. And that count is on the low side.

I do have a fantastic 1964 colt police positive that had been done up for early ppc matches or bullseye. Havnt been able to figure out which though. I actually have it for sale locally along with 3 other guns and a motorcycle. I REALLY want a very nice 1911 haha.

 

[ThomasT]

I do have a fantastic 1964 colt police positive that had been done up for early ppc matches or bullseye. Havnt been able to figure out which though. I actually have it for sale locally along with 3 other guns and a motorcycle. I REALLY want a very nice 1911 haha.

You shouldn't have any trouble selling your Colt. And from your other post it sounds like you and murdercycles don't get along too well. I have had my own dealings with bikes and one crash that left me skinned head to toe. Never do wheelies down the cement street while wearing just cut off shorts and nothing else. Falling off at 45MPH is tough on the hide. It screws up a new motorcycle too.

You like the 45 then go for it. I have had the hots for a Springfield Legend for a while. I like the basic gun with better sights and a lowered ejection port. No gamer guns for me.

 

[Trashyshoots]

Im trying to decide if I want a high end 1911 or if I want to go full gomper and dive into a korth prs in 45. Im apprehensive to buy a korth without being able to feel one in hand, but I have shot a few of their revolvers and been absolutely blown away.

 

[ThomasT]

Your Korth is above my pay grade. But how are the forcing cones?

 

[Trashyshoots]

Your Korth is above my pay grade. But how are the forcing cones?

I dont have one yet, but definitely considering one vs a high end 1911. They make a semi auto.

 

[TTv2]

Hi TT. I don't shoot 45acp and 9mm brass is so cheap and easy to come by its one round I don't chase the brass on. I pick it up if it hits the cement but if its in the grass just leave it laying. A 10mm. I would chase the brass.

I did the 41 mag game years ago and finally gave it up and went with the 44 mag. There is not enough size difference to merit a new gun size for the 41 mag. And I know you didn't compare the 41 mag to the 10mm but a lot of others do. There are not the same. The 41 mag is sort of in the same boat as the new 32 calibers like the 32 mag and 327. They are best considered to be rounds for the handloading crowd.

Yes, I know, I reload the .32's, but they have a lot more practicality than .41 does. Sure, they're not gonna kill a moose, but for concealed carry .32 revolvers are very good.

10mm brass is worth chasing.

 

[sparkyv]

Most people, but not for me TTv2. The M610 is on "The List".

while I said that the 10mm is the death knell for the large frame revolver, I mean that in terms of practicality for most people.

 

[sparkyv]

Inconcievable!

345$ for a new barrel. Thanks ruger... another reason to stick with contenders and 1911s.... what a bummer.

 

[solman]

OP what vintage are those revolvers?
I have a 6 inch Ruger GP 100 from the late 80's on which I lost count of how many 1000s of rounds I fired. Mostly all reloads, some hot some not. So far so good no problems.

 

[748]

That's kind of scary.

 

[Trashyshoots]

OP what vintage are those revolvers?
I have a 6 inch Ruger GP 100 from the late 80's on which I lost count of how many 1000s of rounds I fired. Mostly all reloads, some hot some not. So far so good no problems.

Both were purchased new sometime around 2010 maybe? Theyre not vintage at all.

 

[ThomasT]

Here is a picture or two of my most shot GP-100. No wear on the forcing cone or flame cutting on the top strap.