Atomic J frame

[meltmelt]

Is it possible to become proficient with full house .357 loads, in short barrel J frames?

And If this is a possibility, would the ballistics achieved be significantly superior enough to justify the major increase in recoil/muzzle jump/blast/etc?

Could this setup be tamed enough through practice to become a viable, compact setup with extreme power?

 

[Old cop]

I suppose anything is possible but I've never been able to achieve the kind of accuracy, especially w/follow-up shots, using .357 as I have w/.38 +P. One shot stops are pretty much a myth and shot placement is king.

The one good thing about the J frame .357 is that you can load it w/four rounds of .38 +P and one round of .357, if the first four don't do the job.

 

[Pisgah]

Answers to your questions:

1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.

And a fourth that you did not ask: Do I NEED .357 to be well defended? No.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! Both good answers above. Most shooters will start with light loads in this type of gun and work their way up, and the consensus seems to be when .38 +P levels of power are reached, that is enough recoil and blast.

 

[Hapworth]

Welcome to the forum, meltmelt.

Suggest you run a search here on this subject -- it is one of the most frequently discussed topics and there's a wealth of good discussion on it already that should answer most or all of your questions.

But for that matter, old cop and Pisgah covered it pretty well already.

Although I don't recommend it, if you're absolutely set on .357 in a J-frame snubby, I'd at least make sure it was an all-steel model.

 

[InTheWoods]

Don't underestimate the long-term effects of shooting heavy recoiling guns on your wrist. I am 63 now, shot handguns all my life, and now find I can only shoot 15 to 20 shots out of my 1911s without feeling significant wrist pain. You mileage may vary, but you won't know until you get there. It is wise to be reasonable with your gun/ammo choices when it comes to recoil. Right now, .22s are my best friends.

 

[NFrameFred]

That's one of those that "just 'cause ya can doesn't mean ya should" models that S&W produces.

I know this because my EDCP is a 340PD no-lock in 357. The staging of 4 38+p's followed by a maggie is the most practical advice seen here, as a 'last ditch' if the first four somehow fail to stop.

In a gun that light I don't think ANYONE, even the original designers EVER thought they would be fired with enough magnums for a shooter to become 'proficient' with them.

I tried "A" cylinder load of magnums when I first got the gun just so's I could say, "yeah, I know whereof I speak". That was plenty enough for me to decide I didn't need to repeat the demonstration . . .

 

[snubbiefan]

Why would you want to....I guess is my question. Too many good SD rounds out there in 38-SPCL and as others have eluded to, 38+P would be plenty hot enough with the right bullet. Fine little J's chambered in 38-SPCL only turn up now and then just because the owner wants one chambered in 357. I try to buy those if I can.

 

[palmettosunshine]

Yes, Yes and No, at least for me. Used to own a M&P340, now own a 638. For me, the difference in recoil even with standard pressure 38's was night and day.

 

[Chris L.]

The staging of 4 38+p's followed by a maggie is the most practical advice seen here, as a 'last ditch' if the first four somehow fail to stop.

I'm not sure about this logic... I want the first 1-3 shots to stop, or I may not be around to fire a 5th!

 

[Chris L.]

Is it possible to become proficient with full house .357 loads, in short barrel J frames?

And If this is a possibility, would the ballistics achieved be significantly superior enough to justify the major increase in recoil/muzzle jump/blast/etc?

Could this setup be tamed enough through practice to become a viable, compact setup with extreme power?

There is an on going discussion here similar to what you are asking about going on right now: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/127869-38-vs-357-stopping-power.html

 

[Doug M.]

Doc Roberts has noted that the ballistics/unpleasantness curve does not favor the little .357 snubbies. That's enough for me.

 

[M3Stuart]

Yes.
No.
No. Well, maybe. But it would hurt so much that it wouldn't be fun to practice such that you would maintain any such proficiency.

IMHO, YMMV.

 

[mauiblue]

I'm sure you could get proficient in shooting magnum rounds through a J frame revolver but it would be brutal in the beginning . Good luck.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2

 

[riverrat38]

In a steel J frame, I would go as hot as the Speer 135gr SB Magnum load.
It is not a full Magnum by any means. More like a +P+.
When I had a 3in M 60-10, I carried the SB plus P in the gun, and the SB Magnum in the speed strip, on the notion that if I needed to reload, it would be a very unusual self defense situation, and I might want "more" for the reload. If I didn't think that would be enough, I would carry a K or L frame revolver. An accurate .38 Special shot beats a poorly placed Magnum shot every time.

Best,
Rick

 

[coach22]

I shot 2 357's when I first bought my 340PD.
I opened the cylinder and took the other 3 out.
I chose the 340PD because of the weight.
Not because of the caliber.
Mine is loaded with Corbon DPX 110 +P's.

 

[Allen-frame]

Is it possible to become proficient with full house .357 loads, in short barrel J frames?

And If this is a possibility, would the ballistics achieved be significantly superior enough to justify the major increase in recoil/muzzle jump/blast/etc?

Could this setup be tamed enough through practice to become a viable, compact setup with extreme power?

Brand new poster , first post.

He's teasing us ,, right ??

Allen Frame

 

[colt_saa]

Allen,
You think we are being baited?

Well to answer the OP's questions
1- Of Course
2- Absolutly
3- I see no reason to tame it. It is what it is

 

[haris1]

357 out of a snubby

Meltmelt and also to you Allen-frame , I own a 640 pc model with quad ports and i have arthritis where sometimes 45 acp hurts me in alloy framed commanders. But this 640 jewel with the quad ports launches 357s in loads from 125 federal 357bp(which is the best stopper according to Sanow) and up to 158 grainers and the recoil is less than shooting 38s out of a chief special. I know you personally dont believe in the ports but it really works.
regards
Haris1
merry x mas and a safe and happy new year

 

[VaRecon]

I can group inside a paper plate with my 640 Pro at self defense range fairly quickly.
It doesn't feel too good but if it came down to it, that is a crooks heart, lungs and chest cavities.
I don't try to shoot apples with the hot ones, I'll save the marksmanship for .38's