Would it be safe to shoot the .357 125gr Critical Defense round out of a Smith & Wesson Model 640, .357. I have heard that the 125gr .357 could damage some S&W revolvers.

Problems with the 125 gr. .357 seem to be mostly with the K-frames, where the forcing cone can and has cracked. I have not heard of this problem with the J-frames.


WG840

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Hornady Critical Defense, Remington Golden Saber, Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel and Corbon DPX are all medium-powered 357 loads. The really hot ones are the Remington 125gr JHP (non Golden Saber) and Federal 125gr JHP are the really hot ones.

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I would think it would be alright. They are not a very high pressure load.I have used the 9mm,38special, and 45 acp load and find them all very low recoil for most SD loads.

I shot some .357 Critical Defense through my 640 just a couple weeks ago with no ill effects. The recoil wasn't even too bad, but it was LOUD! The 640 is all-steel so you should be fine with it. The problem may come with some the Airlites.