356TSW G19

mitchjt · #1 03-28-2020, 08:37 AM

Had a Smith Wesson 356 that was just too nice to shoot, ended up being a safe queen. Sold it to a fellow member here that appreciated it more than me. But I do enjoy the 356TSW cartridge. Many years ago I built a 1911 in 356 and shot it a lot. Problem was I couldn't mix the brass between the Colt and Smith. The chamber of the Smith was larger than the Colt and would not resize enough to shoot the same reloads in both guns. So the Smith brass went with the gun to the new owner. Now I have converted my first Glock to 356TSW. It is a Gen2 G19. Started by reshaping the trigger guard by removing the forward finger grip point and moving up the grip area. Recut the checkering and off to Cerakote. Added iron sights, flat face trigger, extended slide stop, extended mag release, 20 lb recoil spring with steel guide rod, and finally an after market barrel which I reamed to 356 depth. Shoots great. Brass from the Colt and Glock can be mixed.

Erocksmash · #2 03-28-2020, 09:41 AM

That is pretty cool sir! Very nice !

LVSteve · #3 03-28-2020, 01:41 PM

Looks like a fun project, but maybe a little beyond my skills. Now off to look up the 356TSW cartridge.

DWalt · #4 03-28-2020, 03:20 PM

I couldn't think of a need that the .356 TSW fulfilled which could not be duplicated with the 9x19 or .38 Super. And apparently most agreed with me. Basically a 9x19 with a slightly longer (about 0.1") case length. It met about the same fate as the .45 GAP.

mitchjt · #5 03-29-2020, 01:40 PM

You are totally right about the demise of 356 TSW. I am an old guy stuck in the past and like messing around with pistols. And while I am responding, I had a Glock G38 in 45GAP. I tried for years to make it into something else but just couldn't get there. Some offered conversion kits to 9mm for the G37 but not the compact. So, gave it to my son along with 1000 rounds and bags of cases. It makes a good range gun and reloading relaxation.

DWalt · #6 03-29-2020, 07:32 PM

I don't remember the last time I saw a box of .45 GAP, or even if it is still available. I have a few rounds of it in my cartridge collection. Nothing intrinsically wrong with the idea, but it sort of falls in the category of being an answer to a question that no one asked. Somewhat like the 9mm Federal. What a blunder that was, like "what were they thinking?"