Goodyears and j frame .357 magnums go together like cream and sugar. I have my 60-10 fitted with Crimson Trace grips. Crimson Trace Laser Sight DS-124 Defender Series™ for Smith & Wesson J-Frame and - FREE SHIPPING ON
357 Magnum in my J-frame?
- Thread starter Cal44
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Black_Sheep
Member
My EDC is a 60-15 loaded with Hornady 158gr SJHP. While not exactly pleasurable to shoot, it's not horrible. I shoot a couple cylinders of .357 during practice sessions just to stay familiar with the recoil. I think grips have a huge effect on perceived recoil. I've tried many different grips and the Pacmayr Compaq grip has become my preferred choice for j-frames.
Mountain Walker
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Absolutely correct, it is the same concept of bigger revolver, especially with manageable/practical calibers. Thanks for adding that!
"There is no reason to go with .357 mag in a J-frame, as the significantly larger muzzle blast and flash, and harsher recoil of the .357 Magnum does not result in substantially improved terminal performance compared to the more controllable .38 Special bullets when fired from 2" barrels."
Texas Star
US Veteran
I talked to a source at the S&W factory when the .357 J-frames were introduced. He told me that engineers had fired at least 10,000 rounds of .357 ammo (didn't specify just what) in a test gun and it was holding up fine.
He said that he fired just five shots in a snub M-60 with .357's. The first wasn't too bad, but by the time he'd fired the fifth shot, he thought, "Thank God, that's over!"
I think the right way to use these guns is with medium power stuff, like Speer's 135 grain Short Barrel load or Remington's medium powered 125 grain. Shoot mainly with normal or Plus P .38 ammo, with .357 use reserved for occasional practice and for use when it may be needed.
I feel the same way about Ruger's SP-101, which is a little beefier than a J-frame. And the Ruger cylinder latch won't cut your thumb on recoil. I've had that happen with Smiths.
He said that he fired just five shots in a snub M-60 with .357's. The first wasn't too bad, but by the time he'd fired the fifth shot, he thought, "Thank God, that's over!"
I think the right way to use these guns is with medium power stuff, like Speer's 135 grain Short Barrel load or Remington's medium powered 125 grain. Shoot mainly with normal or Plus P .38 ammo, with .357 use reserved for occasional practice and for use when it may be needed.
I feel the same way about Ruger's SP-101, which is a little beefier than a J-frame. And the Ruger cylinder latch won't cut your thumb on recoil. I've had that happen with Smiths.
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Texas Star
US Veteran
My EDC is a 60-15 loaded with Hornady 158gr SJHP. While not exactly pleasurable to shoot, it's not horrible. I shoot a couple cylinders of .357 during practice sessions just to stay familiar with the recoil. I think grips have a huge effect on perceived recoil. I've tried many different grips and the Pacmayr Compaq grip has become my preferred choice for j-frames.
Please ID your holster, which looks pretty good. I use the same grips on J-frames, and like them very well. This Pachmayr Presentation Compac is a superior grip.
BTW, I wouldn't bother with .357 in barrels under three inches, which adds velocity and helps to control blast.
And I wouldn't shoot .357 in any but a steel gun. I can't imagine firing such loads in an 11 oz Scandium gun. I suspect that it may result in hand damage.
The 140 grain loads or Winchester's excellent 145 grain Silvertip .357 will reach 1200 FPS in a three-inch barrel.
That is a lot of destruction to your target on call.
Dallas PD and the FBI issued 145 grain Silvertip for their .357's and a suburban detective with whom I discussed the matter said that he'd checked on performance. He described it as "substantial." No stopping failures, for sure!
That was mainly from four-inch barrels, but a three-incher would still deliver a heavy blow.
The 2.5 inch barrels will still achieve a lot more velocity than with .38 ammo, but a little more barrel helps and adds a longer extractor rod.
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My little blaster. Although I cut my teeth on N and K frames, this little 60-10 is one of my favorites. It's always handy, but I like deep concealment for carry, so it doesn't get a daily walk.
Mike_Fontenot
Member
My S&W60-15Pro 3" J-Frame IS essentially perfectly concealed, but that's with my homemade under-the-shirt vertical shoulder holster, and with the stock wood grips, not the large ones like you have on your Model 60. Before I used that under-the-shirt shoulder holster, I tried a high-ride OWB belt holster, under an untucked shirt, with my Model 60, and I didn't feel the concealment was adequate.
Surprisingly, even my S&W69 5-shot 4-1/4" L-Frame .44mag has been concealing very well lately in a similar under-the-shirt holster, but that requires that I carry a lot of stuff in my left shirt pocket to hide the (fairly small) bulge from the butt of the large Hogue #500 grip I put on my Model 69 ... I wouldn't feel the concealment was adequate if that pocket were empty. I always want that "concealed is concealed" feeling, not just that "legally concealed" feeling.
Black_Sheep
Member
Bianchi "Professional"
There's something very cool about a J-frame snub in a well worn IWB clip rig. Can't help myself...
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Rhetorician
Member
I can top that!!!
I can top that!! You think that is something. I have a Model 360pd Scandium that weighs less than 12 oz. And I have only shot a couple of 357s through it.
I am afraid it will kill on both ends!!!
LOL!
Well a 638 weighs 15 oz and my 60 weighs 24. Plus my barrel is an inch longer.
So maybe 357 in my m60 feels like 38+p in an airweight?
If I start getting numb hands, the experiment will be over
I can top that!! You think that is something. I have a Model 360pd Scandium that weighs less than 12 oz. And I have only shot a couple of 357s through it.
I am afraid it will kill on both ends!!!
LOL!
Coyote56
Member
J-Frame=10 feet and closer defensive weapon. Nothing more.
Were I so inclined to fire off hot rounds in a J-frame I'm thinking I would read over some ballistics charts and see what (if any) significant advantage there was to be had. For me, Speer Gold Dot 125gr. +P is more than enough horsepower
Were I so inclined to fire off hot rounds in a J-frame I'm thinking I would read over some ballistics charts and see what (if any) significant advantage there was to be had. For me, Speer Gold Dot 125gr. +P is more than enough horsepower
Triathloncoach
Member
I reckon your stainless 60 is a bunch more forgiving than my scandium 360 with 357. I traded it. Now I have a 2" M19.
IMHO, If you don't feel like you can defend yourself at a greater distance, then you either need to change your carry piece and/ or step up your training. Someone wielding an edged weapon can certainly be a lethal threat beyond 10 ft., as well as, someone armed with a firearm (especially a long gun).
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I'll have Buffalo Bore 180gr .357's in my 340 or nothing at all. And that's with magnas and a T grip to save weight. At 10 feet-if you miss at least you'll set him on fire.
I just chrono'd some 1980s Federal 125gr SJHPs at 1250fps / 433 ft lbs from my 640-1 Carry Comp. Good enough for government work.
My Glock 33 shoots Speer 125gr GDHPs at 1297fps / 466ft lbs. To say that I am more than happy with .357 in my J-frame is an understatement.
My Glock 33 shoots Speer 125gr GDHPs at 1297fps / 466ft lbs. To say that I am more than happy with .357 in my J-frame is an understatement.
Model 1955
Member
38 Special +p or down loaded 357 mag in my model 60 5"barrel. Same for my model 19 4"barrel. I save the full powers 357s for my J P Sauer & Sohn SA revolver
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