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Old 06-23-2017, 12:13 AM
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Default .38/44 Outdoorsman Question

I have a chance to purchase a 98% .38/44 Outdoorsman. Issue is the cylinder has been reamed to accept .357 Magnum cartridges. It's priced accordingly. My question, is it safe to fire .357 Magnum cartridges in this gun? Thanks in advance.

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Old 06-23-2017, 12:36 AM
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I would look very carefully at the cylinder and inspect for damage if it has been fired with full house .357 magnum loads. My personal opinion is to stick with .38 Special powder charges if you use .357 cases for reloading.
I am not a gunsmith but would suggest that you be cautious.

BTW.....I moved to AZ a little over a year ago after living in the Seattle area for 30 years.
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Old 06-23-2017, 02:40 AM
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I bought a 4 incher while in college, without checking the chambers, which turned out to be deepened. I shot a fair mount of full-powered Magnums through it. I sold it to a fellow who was often there when I was, and he put coffee cans full of his Magnums through it.

I won't endorse the practice, but I have never seen or heard of anybody damaging his .38-44 by doing so.
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Old 06-23-2017, 08:49 AM
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Those ole N frames are pretty stout . If using " Current " load data in 357 , is probably safe . The current data is not the same as " yesteryear " , much milder . Those 38-44 loads of days past were some pretty stout loads . The very early 357 magnum loads were really stout and they had to use 38spl brass as the 357 brass hadn't been developed yet. I think you'll probably wear out before the gun does . Just stay away from the hot loads using the lighter weight bullets - 125gr or less .
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Old 06-23-2017, 12:22 PM
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Thanks for the quick response and good advice. I'll be purchasing the revolver in the next couple of weeks then

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Old 06-23-2017, 02:52 PM
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Pretty sure the frame is the same as the 357's made in the same era. Pre-war or post war??? Nice gun if priced reasonably. We will need pics, Larry
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Old 06-24-2017, 04:36 PM
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You're gonna love It!
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Old 06-24-2017, 08:18 PM
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Just use .38s, even hot ones, and be happy.

Plenty of newer guns expressly designed for the .357, which
are probably cheaper or no more expensive than the .38/44,
can be used and save "grandpa" for a more leisurely life.
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Old 06-25-2017, 07:51 AM
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Fredo Betali:

Since the old 38/44 WAS BASICALLY a .357 of its day, I would probably say yes it is safe with 158 grain Magnums. I would refrain from shooting 125 grainers as that gun was not designed to do that.

The only other concern of course is metal fatigue and how many Magnums were put through it. None of us can answer that question but if it were mine I'd fire the 158 Magnums on occasion with .38 Special as the steady diet. More than likely the 38/44 is more than up to the task, but it does have age and an unknown history which no one knows.
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