Eye Opening In-Sight - J Frame & 357 Mag

[Colonel]

Over the years, I read on many forums about the ferocious recoil when combining a J frame with .357 Magnum ammo. I always dismissed it as a "novice" shooter or a "wimpy" individual that was recoil sensitive. Well, today I was at the range with my S&W 640, and fired 200 rounds of 38 Spl. reloads. I also brought with me a various mix of factory new .38 Spl. +p's and two Federal .357 magnums. I fired the 38 +P's and was completely un-phased and confident handling the recoil and resulting accuracy. As a final gesture, I fired my last 3 - 38 +P's finishing with the 2 magnums. It was an eye opening experience as to the difference between the +P's and the magnums. I am now a true believer when it is recommended to stuff your J frames with .38+P's and NOT full house .357 magnums!
As a seasoned firearms enthusiast, I was shocked by this experience and never imagined what the results would be as experienced today. In the past years, I never actually firing magnums in any of my J frames. From here on out, I am changing my J frame CCW ammo over to my Buffalo Bore .38 +P 158 grain SWHP ammo. I'll leave the magnums to my K and L frames!

 

[Dpris]

I found my 60-10 with Hogue wood to be quite shootable with magnums, surprisingly so. Shorter barrels, I see no point in using magnum loads.

Denis

 

[KSDeputy]

I am glad to know that what I considered, is true. I have a new model 60, and when I read that it was capable of shooting .357 I said to myself no way. Mine is the short barrel model, to replace the original model I sold without thinking years ago. I missed it more than any revolver I ever had. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

As a General rule, Colonel (pun intended), you are completely correct. I don't know what Dpris's experience is with his Model 60 and Hogue stocks but, as a general thing - J frames are HORRID with .357 Magnum loads. They kick you to death at the range, probably are harmful to your hands, actually, and if you need second shot capability in a dark situation good luck with that. You are SO right!

 

[k22fan]

I am pround to be a

[...] "wimpy" individual that [is] recoil sensitive. [...]

Even worse, for decades we wimps told each other that the lower recoil of Model 28s made them easier to shoot precisely with than Model 19s. Now we have .357 aluminum J frames with titanium cylinders and .44 Magnums made out of the same light metals. No thank-you. Heck, I still think standard .44 Magnums in Model 29s kick.

The biggest obstacle to handgun effectiveness will always be accuracy and attaining accuracy is easier with less recoil.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Physics - not just a suggestion, it's the law!

Mass, inertia, etc.

Never felt under gunned with a J frame 38Spl, especially when I reload my own with old school 38Spl data. 160g @ 900fps is nothing to sneeze at and it's just about all you can do with a J frame and still control it.

J frames aren't meant for long distance target work, not that you can't, it's just not the mission. 20 yards or less, you don't loose a lot of velocity, so it's almost point blank.

38Spl in a J frame is good to go.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I own a 460v, a couple of N-frame 44s and three 357 mags in K and N frame. I love shooting the mags that start in "4" but have a healthy respect for them.

Having said that, a few years back my younger brother brought home a brand new m60 with a 3" bbl. It looked like a 686-mini-me. I had my doubts about it's shootability with mag loads and I wasn't wrong. That was one angry little sunuvagun! I found it more punishing to shoot than even my 460! I do have a j-frame, a 36-7. Plain old 158gr 38spl is just fine for that.

 

[s&wchad]

You think the 640 was bad with magnum loads, try shooting them in a 340Pd.

If you can't find one to shoot, just smack your trigger finger with a ball peen hammer.

 

[white cloud]

I have two "magnum" J Frames but the hottest stuff I shoot in them is Remington .357 Golden Sabers. I can only imagine what some of Elmer Keith's .357 hand loads would be like in a Model 60.

 

[kaaskop49]

You think the 640 was bad with magnum loads, try shooting them in a 340Pd.

If you can't find one to shoot, just smack your trigger finger with a ball peen hammer.

For every Jack, there's a Jill. The PD can be difficult: the Ti cylinder takes away the option of using 110gr .357 loads which work well in the steel cylinder M&P version.

As to these guns being unpleasant to shoot with magnum ammunition, they're a lot more pleasant than going to work every day in the places I was assigned to...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. white cloud: If you see this, would you have a moment to describe if those Golden Sabre Remington loads are controllable in your snubs? Which models do you have? Am looking for a better load in my PDs. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ashlander]

I've had a 60-14 snubbie since 2008. I have fired precisely 5 magnum rounds out of it (the first day I took it to the range). I'm surprised I got through the whole cylinder.

Out of heavier guns like my 686 and GP100 they're fine, but wow - no fun out of the smaller ones.

 

[zogger]

I have a newer M60 3" and my experience is the same as you. Fun to shoot a few rounds of 357 Magnums at the range at the end of the session but +P for defense is the way to go.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

As to these guns being unpleasant to shoot with magnum ammunition, they're a lot more pleasant than going to work every day in the places I was assigned to...

You may not have felt that you had a choice about going to those places, but I'll bet you had a choice about what ammo you put in your J-frame revolver. In my old age, I own more .38 Special revolvers than I do .357 magnums, and that's even though I can use 110gr loads in my magnums.

 

[GTBL]

I bought the 640 and carry it everyday with .357. Its not the most enjoyable gun to shoot but I bought it for self defense only, not range fun.

 

[KalamazooKid]

You think the 640 was bad with magnum loads, try shooting them in a 340Pd.



If you can't find one to shoot, just smack your trigger finger with a ball peen hammer.

I too have and shoot both of these. The 640 is NOTHING compared to the 340 PD. Back about 12 years ago I qualified for my CPL with magnums out of the 340 - 100 of them to be exact. As you can imagine, my hand between the thumb and index finger was bloodied. Haven't shot one through it since!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[armorer951]

Very little terminal ballistic gain by using the .357 magnum loads out of the short 2" barrel anyway. They are uncomfortable to shoot, for sure.

 

[muddocktor]

I've shot some 357 Mag reloads through my wife's 3" barrel 60-15 and while it wasn't exactly pleasant, it was doable. But if you didn't watch yourself it would definitely zap the crud out of my middle finger. It is actually fun to shoot with 38 Specials loaded to plus P power though. And I keep it loaded with the Hornady 110 grain flex tip +P for self defense for her while I am away at work.

 

[Abbynormal]

How long did it take for your hands and fingers to stop stinging?

 

[mrchuck]

I love to carry my .357 Model 60,with the xtra 6 shot flat plastic ammo carrier in my pocket. That's 11 rounds total on me.
Fits tightly on the inside of my hip.
In a adrenaline pumping situation, the recoil isn't a problem.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I fired 38's, 38 +P and then 5 rounds of 357 magnums in my 640.
Not that it hurt but was not easy to control with the magnums.

When I had thies grips on my 638, they were easy to control.