357/38 special swapping-TRR8 care

gehlsurf · Mar 1, 2017

Hey guys, just scooped up a TRR8 from another member on here, really nice gun and easy transaction!!! So, going to the range sometime this week and had some questions before I go.

How many times can you swap between 38 special and 357 safely, before the carbon ring becomes an issue? I know this may change from ammo to ammo, but in general, how many times. As in, if you shoot a 38 spl once in a cylinder, don't shoot 356 until it's cleaned? Or does it take many 38 spl to build up this ring?

Also, I've read that too much cleaning of this firearm takes a toll on the cylinder (titanium coating or the sort?), even read to shoot more than clean, so to speak. Is this just Internet chatter? I've seen that the coating can supposedly come off with too much cleaning, burning the cylinders once shot. I personally don't mind the look, as I like guns that look used, lol. Note though:I will NEVER get the used/weathered look cerakote paint job, lol. But do these burns actually hurt the gun? Or is it just discoloration, and not structural damage?

Than you in advance for any help, looking to use the gun alot and it to have a hard life, but still want it to last.

Lou_the_welder · Mar 1, 2017

Hello!

I would stay away from hoppes or anything with a strong odor with your gun. I've used rem oil, clp and mpro7. No problems.

Your TRR8 has an aluminum/ scandium frame. And a steel cylinder with matte finish. The cylinder isn't fickle as let's say a titanium would be. On the titanium; there are chances that the cleaner you use will wipe out a special coating they put on, to protect the metal from eroding.

So other than just protecting the matte finish on the gun, cleaning should be straight forward.

Your gun is rated as told to me by customer service, with 158 gr. Magnums! 125 gr. In that gun will have a slight stronger kick. You can use any weight 38 special in it. I've never had an issue with crud in the cylinders. I clean the barrels and the cylinder every time. It is more cleaning like that than let's say semi-autos , but you learn to live with it.

I've heard excellent tips from forum members, like using magnums last and chasing the cylinder holes with an "empty" magnum with a slight flute to the tip! Usually done on a reloading press using an expander die......

But like I said, I've never had that issue.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

colt_saa · Mar 1, 2017

If you hand load, why create the problem in the first place. If all you shoot is Factory ammunition that is another story.

My 357 Magnum revolvers have NEVER seen a 38 Special case loaded into their cylinders and fired while I have owned them.

I have had this two tone TRR8 for about a decade now. I shoot it all the time with everything from 88 grain JHPs to 180 JSPs. There are no ammunition restrictions on Smith and Wesson N-frames that are marked and chambered for the 357 Magnum cartridge.

All of the ammunition that I shoot in 357 Magnum revolvers is in 357 Magnum cases. Remember just because you are hand loading with a 357 Magnum case, there is no requirement to load to 357 Magnum pressure and velocity.

I have sent many tens of thousands of 158 SWCs down range from 357 Magnum cases with only 5.5 grains of 231 to drive them.

As to switching back and forth between calibers, prior to my hand loading days I would clean the cylinder after shooting 38 Special in my 357 Magnum revolvers. I would NEVER try and shoot them clean with 357 Magnum ammunition. That only makes getting rid of the crud ring more difficult

If you MUST shoot both chamberings in a single session with out the opportunity to clean the firearm, use the longer 357 Magnums first. Then clean the firearm when you get home

As Lou_the_welder has already pointed out, the Model 327 TRR8 does not have a Titanium cylinder. I am not sure if the same finish is used in Today's production, but the TRR8 cylinder used to be coated in Ionbond which is VERY durable DLC product.

gehlsurf · Mar 1, 2017

Ah, thanks guys!! I thought I had read somewhere that it was titanium, but again, could've just benny interner chatter or me confused,haha. I reload as well, and was just curious about 38 spl and 357 because I was going to sort out my ammo that way when I hunt, as in,see a dear or pig, 357, see smaller game, 38 spl. But to be real honest, I can just carry a cleaning brush and rod with me for in between shooting. No biggie. I'll stick to using CLP. I've used hopes 9, but also used CLP for cleaning, and seems to work just as well in my opinion for normal cleaning of the bore.

That 2 tone is beautiful!! Wish they still made these, they're hard to find!!

Nightowl · Mar 1, 2017

I have shot thousands and thousands of .38 Special target ammo through my .357s for the last 50 years. I always clean before ever putting a .357 magnum case in a gun. If I am shooting both on any day, I shoot .357s first. To me it is stupid to try to clean a barrel with .357s after shooting .38s. If the .38 has left crud in the barrel, it can only increase the pressure from the debris left from the .38s..this assumes lead bullets in the .38 as that is mostly what I shoot. If the .38s have been jacketed bullets, then I don't see that it would be a problem. Maybe it isn't anyway, because the folks that have done this have not reported blowing us their gun in the process.

It just seems to make more sense to me to invest a little more elbow grease and clean the gun correctly!

gwpercle · Mar 1, 2017

Shooting 38's in 357 is not the big horrific problem some make it out to be. I shoot mostly 38 's in my magnums after 200 to 300 or so , I can load up with 357's and shoot without any problems. Go home and cleaning with a brush or bore snake takes care of any residue.
It's not a big deal...really. I have been shooting 38 specials in a Blackhawk I purchased in 1972 , I shoot a good bit. Last year I bought new Starline 357 magnum brass , loaded them and they dropped right in. I shot 25 357's . Next shot 150 38 specials, lead bullet loads....decided to shoot 25 more 357's, they dropped right in and fired. No problemo ! Cylinders cleaned out , no ring, no residue, nothing.
Shoot your gun and clean it well afterwards...that should take care of any "ring" .
Gary

slickracer · Mar 1, 2017

I've shot 1000's of .38 specials in various .357 revolvers. I clean about every 300 rounds or so and have never had an issue with a carbon ring. Ballistol keeps it at bay.

Clarke Hammer · Mar 1, 2017

My experience is the same as the two posts above. I shoot mostly .38 out of my .357 revolvers. I clean after every range session, even if I only shoot one box of 50 rounds. I don't even go all out with scrubbing - I just run a handful of solvent saturated patches through, followed by a few dry patches. After thousands of rounds, I have never had an issue with .357 cartridges not chambering.

357/38 special swapping-TRR8 care

gehlsurf

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Lou_the_welder

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colt_saa

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gehlsurf

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Nightowl

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gwpercle

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slickracer

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Clarke Hammer

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