Recently got bit by the S&W bug when a friend of mine brought his Model 66 out to the deer lease this season. So what do I about it? Went out and purchased a Model 13-1 and a Model 19-4 of course. Not pristine but good clean (95%) shooters that the boys and I (17 and 14 years of age) can put a bunch of rounds through.

From reading about these models I assumed that they were intended by design to shoot .38 specials for practice and .357 when it counts. But I have also read some caveats concerning fouling in the cylinders.

What are your opinions/experiences shooting mostly .38 specials with these models? Or should I start looking for a Model 10/15?

As long as you keep them clean it should nto be an issues. I would buy a Model 10 just because they are very nice guns to have. I am a little biast though as i have a M-10

I rarely use .357s in my .357s, if that makes any sense. Check the chambers for fouling after shooting and clean as needed.

On the other hand, what a great excuse...uh, reason, to have some K frame .38 Specials .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Shoot away...As long as you clean it good you should be OK. I have been doing it for years and never a problem. Just don't let the lead/copper build up or you could have problems. But that is why we clean them ..Right!

I feel the issue of lead/fouling build-up in that 1/8in of chamber is grossly overstated. I've used my Python for a whole season of match shooting with 1000s of .38 wadcutters and not had a .357 drop right in.

Hi,
Like others said. Clean the lead deposits out after each range session. That is what I do with my M13 & M19.
Enjoy,
Howard

I shoot .38's out of my 27 and like the others have said, just clean the cylinders well and you won't have any issues. Personally when I had my Model 13 I only shot alot of +P's out of it, but rarely did I ever shoot them out of my Model 19, that gun saw alot of .357's with no ill effect.

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Vaya con Dios

Thank you all for your replies. I look forward to enjoying these fine pistols along with my sons. Although we have shot and collected Colt 1911's mostly to this point we are excited about these revolvers.

I will still keep an eye out for a good clean Model 15. Although I have not handled one yet, there just seems to be something about that pattern that calls to me. The M13 and M19 can just as easily go to each one of the boys, and I can settle in with with the 15, being of the "less is more" school of thought.

What a great community you all have here, Thanks again.

I shoot .38 Special in my .357s most of the time.

Do you and your sons a favor, get a model 18 or 617. I just got both. Shooting hundreds of .22 from the same style gun will help them shoot better and go a little easier on you wallet.

If the 357's are too hot in the K frame for you check out the "FBI" load. It is an excellent alternative to the 357 and wont hurt you K frame magnum.

I can't even begin to guess how many rounds of .38s I've put through .357 revolvers. Brownell's sells chamber brushes in .38 and .44 that take out the crud well enough. This is a topic that's beaten to death.

I just use .38 Special load data and load them in .357 brass. Problem solved!

Frosty

I have only shot .38sp out of my used 4" 66 but I don't know about prior use. I don't intend to use the .357 rounds I have unless the SHTF. Look at some k-frame 38's too, 10 or 15, I really enjoy shooting them.