Just got a 360 pd air weight 357 mag. Recoil with 357 is brutal. Anyone using 357 mags in their 360 pd or do you stick with 38 +p? What ammo do you like to run in this gun? Do you use 38 special for practice and 357 for carry? How effective is it to practice with 38 and carry with 357? will practice with 38s be valid when using 357? What Caliber bullet weight, manufacturer ect do you recommend in 38s and 357s Thanks folks.

With a short barrel I would stick with +P .38 Special for self defense and .38 Specials for plinking.
Now if you reload you can load your Magnum brass to lower levels for same needs and load up some nice Speer Gold Dots or the 158 gr. "FBI" load using the Rim Rock 158 gr. SWC HP.

I'll tell you what folks! I don't know what a "360 pd" is, but the combination of "air weight" and "357 mag" has to get your attention----it just has to!!

Now "air weight" makes for comfy carry---even in a pocket---at least until you load it. Then it's not so much "air weight" anymore, but it's most certainly better than the non-"air weight" alternatives. Chapter next: I suppose, in my blissful ignorance, that an "air weight" 357 costs more than an "air weight" .38 Special----seems like it should anyhow. Now given that, and given that you paid the extra, I have to ask why? Tell you what---we'll come back to that.

I'm reminded somehow of fishing tackle here. Most folks will tell you fishing tackle is made to catch fish----just like I reckon most folks would tell you "air weight" 357's are made to shoot. On the other hand, some of the other folks might tell you fishing tackle is made to sell to fishermen.

I hope I've given you something to think about. I hope you think.

Ralph Tremaine

I've never shot a 360 PD, but in my LCR I use Speer Gold Dot 357 mag, short barrel.

As 357 mag loads go it's pretty mild, but it's a good step up from the 38+p version of the same load.

Closest thing I have to that 360 is my LCR .357 and have shot factory .357 and it's a hand full and not what you want to plink with.
My wife likes to shoot it also so I keep it stoked with +P loads in .38 Special that I put together.

Now I also load for .357 Mag and load those down a few clicks to shoot in my S&W 66 and in the LCR.

Most settle on .38 + P for lightweight .357s, but two loads to try (kind of .357 - P?) are the Short Barrel Gold Dot mentioned above and the Remington Golden Saber.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I purchased my 360 PD used. It had been fired exactly twice and came with a box of 48 357 mags (federal hydroshocks if memory serves). The previous owner said it was like slamming his hand in a car door.
I added larger (405CT) grips and have been content shooting it with 38+P since.

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Dave

Might also want to try the Hornady Critical Defense round. Seems to feel close to the GDSB and usually easier to find.

My water jug test of the Rim Rock 158 gr. SWC HP bullet loaded over 6.3 gr. of Power Pistol...the so called FBI load.
Brass used was .38 Special and speeds were 935 FPS out of Ruger LCR 1.87 barrel and 1060 FPS out of S&W Model 66 with 4 inch barrel.
YouTube

Make sure you obey the warning on the side of the bbl, where it says not to use magnum loads with bullet weights of less than 120 grains. This is gospel. The above posters have provided some excellent loads for this gun. I would follow their guidance.

Should you use magnum ammo in the 360PD? Depends on your experience and/or tolerance to recoil, and, I regret to add, pain. You also have to make certain that the loads you use, either .38 or magnum, do not incur "crimp jump" (bullets in unfired rounds pulling forward under recoil). This can jam up the gun at the worst possible time.Whichever path you choose, good luck!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I used to have a 360PD. Great little gun. Got rid of it mainly because of the lock and I wanted the hammerless 340. Still looking I would shoot a cylinder or two of full house SD .357 on occasion, but mainly practiced with WWB 158 grain because it hit closest to the same POA as the .357s. I always carried corbon .357s when it was my EDC. In my opinion, there’s no point in carrying a .357 if you’re not going to take full advantage of the rounds capabilities. And for those who think there’s not much difference between .38+P and .357 out of a snubbie, then watch Paul Harrell’s video that proves there is a substantial difference in power levels. IIRC, he was seeing over 400fps difference between the two.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

.357 magnum ammo in an Airweight J-frame? Better you than me!

Closest revolver I have is an old Model 37 Airweight Chief. I stick with standard velocity .38 Specials, and even those require lots of concentration for consistently accurate repeat shots.

For the folks with LCRs (like me), note that the scandium frame 360PD weighs 11.7oz, while the KLCR357 weighs 17.1oz - yes, the KLCR weighs almost 50% more than the 360PD.

My EDC is a 340PD and I keep it loaded w/the old FBI 158 grain +P and avoid magnum rounds b/c follow up shots are too difficult w/them. I also like this load b/c when I used it one the street it did the job.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I got pretty good with follow up shots after I modified my grip somewhat. The trick for me was to keep my trigger finger inside the trigger guard. First few times I shot it, the recoil would kick my finger off the trigger and scrape the heck out of it as it exited the trigger guard. Once I figured that out, it went much better. I just liked the option of 1250fps as opposed to 850fps in a SD load for guaranteed expansion. If used in a SD situation at the bad breath distance most likely to happen, I don’t think you’ll even notice the recoil and your follow up shots will just stitch a pattern up the torso if you start low enough.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

Glad to hear that load worked in real life !

edc m&p340 Rem golden sabers mid vel 357, i tape the web of my hand for range use. Also the speer gold dot short barrel loads are good

[QUOTE=tlawler;140119960]In my opinion, there’s no point in carrying a .357 if you’re not going to take full advantage of the rounds capabilities. And for those who think there’s not much difference between .38+P and .357 out of a snubbie, then watch Paul Harrell’s video that proves there is a substantial difference in power levels. IIRC, he was seeing over 400fps difference between the two.

In the video he shoots 4" & ~2" bbl revolvers. With the 2" bbl's The 38+p gave an ave of 840 fps with 125 gr bullet, while the 357 gave an ave of 1250 with 125 gr bullet. Using those numbers- 38 = 195.8 ft/lbs while the 357 had 433.6 ft/lbs- More than Twice as much energy- So a 357 in a 357 has significantly more energy ( 2X ), than a 38, so there is a reason to carry a 357 loaded with 357's. So if I have the 638 it has Speer GDSB +p, while the 640 has Speer GDSB 357. If you have arthritis, hand injury, or other deficit, or do not like recoil go with the 38, If you want the most power that it can give, and you do not have the problems above ( YET ), than use the 357, twice the energy is significant at handgun levels. Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

Gold Dot 135gr 357 short barrel, or Buffalo Bore 38 special outdoorsman the latter when I'm in the woods.

Grips are everything. Get the Uncle Mike's or the Pachmyers and it will change your life.

I've shot .357 from an Airtight J Frame. No way would I carry that combination. The recoil impulse, muzzle blast, flash, sound... You'd be deaf and follow up shots would be very difficult.

38spl+P for me.

And if you still find that snotty rounds of any sort, be they +P or magnums, aren't to your liking ... just carry five 38 specials every time you leave the house and you'll be better armed than the 95% of people with carry permits who don't bother to carry.

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Carry.."hope" isn't a strategy

Thanks for the advice folks. Im going to experiment with the various suggestions you gave me. I bought the Smith and Wesson 360 pd to carry instead of the 380 auto I've been using. I like the reliability and simplicity of a revolver and the 360 is smaller and a lot lighter than the 380. I already have 2 smith and wesson 637 airweights, but the 360 is smaller and lighter and has better sights. I wanted to go as light and concealable as possible. The 380 I was carrying was 20 oz loaded. The 637s are 17.5 oz loaded and the 360 pd is 13.9 oz loaded with the same ammo. I thought when I bought it the 357 360 might be too much to handle and I was right, but it is still the smallest, lightest and most concealable 38 sp +p revolver. I have other automatic pistols and they're fun to shoot, but the more I shoot autos the less I trust them. A revolver gives me confidence that, God forbid I ever have to use it, if I do it will work. I have no problem with standard and +p 38s in it, but the 357s I have are something else. I'm going to try out the various ammo suggestions you folks have recommended. Thanks for taking the time to help me out.

I'll 2nd (3rd?) the Rim Rock 158gr L-SWC-HP/GC bullets.

In a 357 Mag case 6.6gr/Power Pistol is 38+P power.

I load 7.5gr/P-P in my 360J 2-Tone 357 Mag.

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Waiting for the break of day

Efective round. See how it shoots.

357 out of a sub-12oz revolver? NO THANKS!

I have a Taurus 617Ti (titanium) that is just over 19oz, and hot magnums out of that one hurt a bit. A revolver only 2/3 that weight would be BRUTAL.

If you reload, do what I'm doing (and others here as well) - make up some 158gr LSWHP 38 special +P rounds in 357 magnum cases.

I’ve been quite impressed with the Federal HST 38+P load. Consistent velocity and penetration , negates the need for Magnum ammo furthermore, it’s controllable in snub framed revolvers, what’s not to like?

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"Non sibi, sed patriae"

As i write this, I do not know what a 360 PD is either, but i will know soon enough. I do know that I am not a fan of hand cannons. I am not even really that fond of the 357 in some K frames. it is a great round for an N frame.

And yes, fishing tackle and lures are designed to catch fisherman, long before they catch fish. I figured out a long time ago, when you have a bag of 50 lures, there are only 2 or 3 that you actually use.

EDIT: Ok I now know what a 360PD is. Alloy construction stainless bbl. On the S&W website, it says 357 mag, rated for continuous +P use, and stamped on the gun, is " no less than 120 gr bullet". It weighs a whopping 11.4 oz. Cute little thing, but nothing I would ever want to fire with a full house 357 load. Also, the continuous +P rating makes me think this is not rated for a continuous 357 diet? They also list over $1,000.00. i will never find fault with another's choice or selection, but i will say, it does not sound like the right choice for me

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

The only J frames I run any .357 through are my two 640-1's, and both have oversize grips so I can get my whole hand on them. I would not use .357 in a Airweight. My 442 has Buffalo Bore 158gr standard .38's in it.

I have a newer N frame model 627-8 round revolver which I enjoy shooting most any and all 38special ammo from. I also found the Gold and Black box of Blazer ammo in 357-158grm spits powder back onto my right side facial cheek and burns me with every round I fire. That is not much fun needless to say.

Thought these chono results might be of some interest:

S&W M360, 1 7/8" BBL, 5 Long steps from muzzle,

185 gr LFNGC, 14.7gr Lil'Gun, ……………….. 1022 fps
158 gr CSWC, 13.5gr H-2400, ……………….. 1074 fps
158 gr JHP - XTP, 13.5gr H-2400, ……………. 1009 fps
158 gr LSWHP +P, .38gr Rem Fact, …………. 752 fps
158 gr LRNFP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, ……………….. 1019 fps
158 gr RJHP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, …………………... 945 fps
130 gr FMJRN, .38gr Am Eagle, ……………….. 680 fps
130 gr Hydra-Shok, .357gr Fed Fact, ………... 1159 fps
180 gr LWFN, .357gr Fed Fact, ………………. .. 905 fps


The top load is the one I carry when I drop the 360 in the pocket (for easy access) of my rain gear. Load was developed to use as last ditch, stick it in their ear, large predator protection while bow hunting elk in Montana.

All of the above .357 handloads are less than max except the 185gr/Lil'gun load.

The middle gun in the picture.



FWIW,

Paul

I have found Crimson Trace LG 405's to really mitigate recoil with my 340PD. I keep mine stocked with 135 gr. Short Barrel Gold Dots and avoid any .357 as their advantage is very slight.

[IMG][/IMG]

Do you have any empirical data to back that up?

See post #11

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

+ 1 on this. It's a lot milder than the regular load (velocity in the 1100 fps range), but still stouter than a .38 +P. I shoot it in both my j-frame and in my house gun (a TRR8), even though that one has a 5" barrel. The round is not as loud and has less flash than a regular .357 round.

And in the Lucky Gunner ammo tests:

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/rev...llistics-test/

it had larger and more consistent expansion than most 38 +P rounds and many of the full load .357 Magnum.

I'm your huckleberry.

I have carried my 360PD with 357 mag for about 8 years on every backcountry outing. I strap it on when I get there and don't take it off until I leave.
Everything else pulls my pants down. If I could carry anything else, I would.

Get the rubber grip that covers the metal backstrap. That was a really stupid idea from S&W to leave it exposed.

The recoil is brutal; more than a 44 mag.
This is not a fun gun or a range toy !!!!
It will save your life.

During my real life encounter; I never felt the recoil.
Ten minutes later I looked at my black and blue hand.

I hate this little beast.
I wouldn't give it up for anything.


Prescut
Gold Dots for short barrel when I didn't handload

Does this grip add much to the overall size of the gun? I want to keep it as small as possible

Is this the one where the 130 gr bullet is seated entirely flush with the case? How would you rate the recoil vs hornady critical defense 110gr +p

I have two and sometimes carry one in each pocket. I shoot mag loads very sparingly. I shoot the guns sparingly. I have lots of guns that are fun to shoot. These are not them. I do enough to stay proficient. They are by far the easiest gun to carry i have ever owned though. I have carried them in swimming trunks. Great backup gun. The Rim Rock 158 recipe above is a great round.

....for some soft Pachmeyr grips.

I have an airweght .38 special that painful with light loads and BRUTAL with heavier. New grips made it bearable. I don't mind recoil in an emergency, but practicing with it gets tiresome FAST.

And I would definitely download if you reload, or find some reasonable 'target' .357. The Remington UMC JSP 125 gr and the Speer Short Barrel GDHP 135 grain in .357 are supposed to be manageable in small guns.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I don't have the 360PD, I have the 360FDE, stainless cylinder vs titanium so it weighs about 2 ounces or so more. I carry either 125gr Gold Dots or 125gr Sig V-Crown in it usually. For 38s the Federal HSTs are a nice round as are the Buffalo Bore HP lead semi-waddcutters. Recoil is subjective, I don't find it unshootable in the least. I had a 640 Pro and found it too heavy for pocket carry, so if I have to strap it to my hip I saw no reason not to jump up to a K or L. I think the 360s have a number of advantages over a 38. Not only do you have the ability to use Magnums or not, but you gain a pinned front sight and a fully shrouded ejector rod. Those last two are worth the price themselves over the integral front sights on the air weight 38s. I also bought my 360 new for $499, and even though the PDs cost more I regularly see them for around $800 or so. So I'm not sure why people are always quoting the MSRP on guns and acting outraged at the price, only fools pay MSRP for anything.

Attached Images

20190403_123718.jpg (79.1 KB, 13 views)

I modified three 637-2 airweights with titanium cylinders to drop the weight to 11.5oz, and reamed them to 9mm to minimise loaded weight.

Using Post #18 as a reference, 147gr 9mm gives 952 fps for 296 ft-lb, which is both shootable and a nice midway power compromise between .38+P and .357 Magnum.

You take very nice pics by the way.