Does anyone have any experience with this 38 special +P revolver. Tell me about the positives and negatives. Would be a carry piece. Thanks for all information.

A lot of posts on this forum complained about recoil, especially with +p's. I have a 637-2 Airweight that I am absolutely happy with. Hope this helps. I've learned a lot from this forum. Good luck.

Recoil with the airweights can be a bit too brutal for some shooters, so I always encourage anyone considering one of these to try finding one they can try out before buying one. You may also want to take a look at the following thread to get an idea of what you might have to deal with.

AirLite recoil problems

Thanks for link about these airlites. I am a Smith man and own many snubs. Just to big and heavy to put in my pocket. Currently carry a Taurus ported titanium snub. I shoot 38's at the range with a few +P. Have not had a problem with wrist or hands. I use a very smal boot grip in wood also. If I need to use it, I will use it as practiced with. The porting makes a big difference to me. Wanted to carry a Smith and was looking at the 13.3 oz. 360 Scandium 38 caliber for the same reason. Would carry with +P. I sure do appreciate all input as it will be used as factors in my decision. I ran across a nice 38 cal/ +P at a decent price and it sparked my reason for writing. Thanks all for your input. It is greatly appreciated.

I have a 342 M&P, weighing 13.3 ounces as well. Using Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P SHORT BARREL ammo was made specifically for these light guns. The recoil is less, and the velocity is about 150fps less then a .357 magnum.

The recoil is hard, so accept the reality that taking the weapon out and shooting 200 rounds at the range is not realistic. The weapon is an "oh sheet!" gun, and learning marksmanship, as you would with a duty weapon is not as important as combat techniques and firing the weapon up close and personal.

Here's and excellent sight for these j-frame revolvers:

POSA Video Network at Officer.com -- Defensive Snub Revolver - part1

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Man of Steel

Took a look a this sight and will review all video's. I appreciate your help. I also use the gold dot 125 grain +P for practice along with 135 and 158 grain 38's. No adverse effects to hands, wrists or fingers as of yet. Pretty good for an old Marine.

They're great guns and the best deal S&W ever offered on a scandium framed revolver. It is the same frame as the M&P 360 .357mag, making for a very sturdy, but light, .38spl.

Recoil is what it is, I didn't find to be signicantly worse than a 642 Airweight. The gun is as accurate, reliable, and well built as you would expect. My only complaint is that the cylinder was quick to show surface rust, especially on the edges of the flutes, the bluing must be one of the places they cut corners.

I bought mine almost two years ago from Bud's Gun Shop for $409 and used it for a custom project. I sent it to Pinnacle High Performance and had the cylinder cut for moonclips and rechambered to 9x23 (I usually shoot 9mm out of it). They also did an action job, replaced the front sight with a fiber optic, did a half bob on the hammer, and smoothed/rounded/polished the trigger. I sent the cylinder to Robar for their NP3 coating and added a set of CT laser grips. I've shot all kinds of 9mm, plus .38 Super and a few 9x23 Winchesters through it and it is a great little gun.

You probably don't want to do that sort of project with it but even if you do nothing but carry it, I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. They are a terrific buy. I carry mine almost every day.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

The 360s are great revolvers. I also bought mine from Bud's when they had the special going. It was just too good of a deal to pass up.

The 360 will give you a lifetime of service and be a pleasure to carry during that time.

I just bought one of these a few weeks ago. Didn't really know what the hell it was; I thought 360's were .357 Magnum only. Pretty nice gun; mine is marked "Airweight" on the right side. I believe the frame is scandium and the cylinder is definitely steel. It's kind of like it has a 442 cylinder. Sort of a hybrid. Guess what? The Lock doesn't even bother me! Recoil with the + P's I used was managable for me, but the gun did shoot low at 7 and 15 yards. I feel this was more me than the gun, because I seem to have a hell of a flinch. I shoot left handed, so I tend to push the shot in anticipation of recoil, which makes it go low and right in my case. I feel in a self defense situation, that this may not come up though, due to the circumstances. Anyway, it carries and shoots great in my opinion, and really does feel lighter than any of the Airweights I've had in the past. Overall, a good choice that I happened to also get at a great price.

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MARK

I just grabbed one at the infamous Raleigh gun show (Dixie Gun & Knife Classic) where there was an ND that resulted in 3 minor injuries, or not so minor if they happened to you. That, and 2 others in the US last Saturday, combined to make the front page of CNN.com.
Anyway, don't see this cataloged, but a Scandium frame and steel cylinder limited to .38 Special (assume it shoots +P, although their is no such claim on the barrel), should't be so hard to handle. Mine had a rubber banana grip, and the dealer I was helping out, had maybe 7-8 of these. Maybe a cleanup item, since this thread stared nearly 3 years ago.
The gun is fine, am somewhat interested in the history.

I know this thread is a little old but I've had my .38 Airweight for about a year and a half now. I'd rather carry it then my Kimber 3" .45. And I love the hell outta my .45

I still carry mine several days a week. I'd rather carry one of my Colt 1911s but they don't always fit.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

I have carried one of the 357 airlites for 10 years in my back pocket. I only shoot +P and have no issue with them. It's the perfect weight for pocket carry. With the barrel shroud I don't find mine near as accurate as the airweights which I could easily put them in he head at 25 yards, it's not even close.
JR

I've owned mine for several years & got it from Bud's. This is my favorite gun, & I own several quality pieces. It's light, feels right in the hand & is extremely accurate. I can hit anything I want out to 40 + feet. I've run over 1000 rounds through it, some +P & it is as tight as it was when new. +P kicks, but not too bad. (I'm not a big guy) My full-size 686 .357 kicks harder with magnums, than this with +P. I HIGHLY recommend this pistol!

I bought the original .357mag scandium/titanium 360sc quite a few years ago. That gun is no longer produced, but the currently-produced 360PD is essentially the same, except for cosmetics. For some crazy reason, S&W has since used the 360 number to refer to several very different guns ... sometimes with a steel cylinder instead of titanium, and sometimes only shooting .38+P (not .357mag). Seems like a dumb thing to have done.

I have a 360J -- Scandium frame chambered for .38 Special with a steel cylinder. It came with a three finger grip (rather than the boot grips that come on a lot of other J-frames). I carry it for concealed carry. It's not a lot of fun to shoot, but recoil is manageable with practice. Because of it's weight it is nothing to carry all day long.

Great gun...until you shoot .357 magnums out of it. Quick and accurate follow up shots are next impossible for all but the strongest and most practiced shooters. Search "cleaning titanium cylinders", "cleaning scandium frames", and "recommended ammo/bullet weights for Airlites".

As posted above Speer 135 gr Gold Dot .38+P short barrel ammo is your best bet. My opinion only, having owned two, a M637 Airweight will serve just as well at fraction of the cost and special precautions & treatment, (admittedly minus the cool factor).

I bought my wife a 337 a few years back. She only shoots it with managed recoil rounds but I've shot several cylinders of +P. Yes, it's snappy but manageable. The only problem is if I hold it the same way as my other I and J frames, sometimes the thumb latch will scuff my thumb knuckle and draw blood. I just have to remember to position my thumb a bit lower. A lefty wouldn't have to worry.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

My 360sc IS very painful when shooting mid-level .357mags (like Federal "Hi-Shoks"), but I still carry it with that load as my BUG ... how many bad guys do you think you'll need to shoot? Almost all practicing with it is with regular .38's (American Eagle). I think having all that power in such a small light package is well worth it. (And I'm not a fast shooter, so the slower followup and large muzzle-rise isn't a disadvantage for me).

I have a model 360J in 38 Special +P. I am disappointed that the POI is almost 3 inches to the left of POA. I've done plenty of shooting to know it's not me. The groups at 15 yards all are about 3.5 inches in diameter. Shooting was done 90% off-hand and 10% rested on bench. I used standard velocity 130 grain FMJ and 158 grain FMJ ammo. Only the elevation changed. All machining seems to be very well centered regarding the sights. I have 3 J-frames that all shoot well horizontally. Any recommendations out there?

I've carried numerous J frames over the years, but ever since I bought this 360J a couple years back, it has become my all time favorite. A box of .38 plinkers at the range is no issue at all ( the factory grips on these things are perfect to tame felt recoil). I've never been a fan of the "marginal" benefits of +P so don't bother. Stoked with .38 Hornady Critical Defense it's about 16 OZ. Love this thing !! Excellent fit and finish, great trigger, and POA to POI at 7 yards is spot on.

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John

I love my 360j. It replaced my 442 because the 360j has a sc frame, full underlug bbl., pinned front sight, and the price was right....shoulda bought two!

I carry my S&W 360 daily. I don't shoot it much. When I do, I use 38 + p ammo. I do practice often with my two inch model 317 22lr. Works for me. Doc in Pa.

I'm new to the forum. Can you tell me if the Model 360 with the Scandium frame has been discontinued? If so, do you know when? Many thanks.

I have the 360sc, the ultralight (11oz empty) .357 with the titanium cylinder and an aluminum finish on the frame (with a trace of scandium in the aluminum for extra stiffness). It was discontinued quite a while ago ... I don't know exactly when. A current version, the 360PD, is functionally similar, although cosmetically different. Beware that there are several other variants using the same number, 360. Some are .38 special, some don't have the titanium cylinder, some are heavier. It was stupid of S&W to confuse the issue like that.

I have one. Love it. When I go to the range I usually shoot a couple cylinders of wadcutters and a couple of whatever defense ammo I’m using at the time. I’m good with up to 158gn +P. If I could I wouldn’t shoot 357s. At 13-14 oz I can put it in a pajama pocket without the gun pulling them down. I would neither go lighter nor more powerful than this gun. After some time with my 442 I may bob the hammer

I think the 360J 38spl May be discontinued but still available on GunBroker. If so it will be the cheapest 38/357 scandium available

I’m confused. My 360 J is a 357. It’s got a scadium frame with a SS cylinder and red ramp site.

Expert on these, I am not. But, my 360J is clearly marked .38Spec on the barrel and on the box. May have been mentioned above, but my understanding is the "J" comes from an order from the Japanese national police. Either way - it's a keeper! I found mine used locally - and I am trying to save my SBUX money for one the five new ones currently listed on GB. I will have to sell a 442 to fund it but I like the 360J that much ...

The 360j is a 38 Special. The 360 is a 357mag. I just bought one (360J) about a month ago at my LGS and you can get them at Buds Guns and other places. Mine had a SS black cylinder. Paid around $400.

I really liked the gun and would recommend it over any non steel J frame. I always want a hammer on my revolver. Don’t carry in pocket. AIWB or cross draw.
Shot sub 2” groups at 7 yards (off rest) so if you do your part it will do its.
It liked the Winchester Ranger 130gr+P ammo the best.

I really hated to sell it,but I had major problems with the grip S&W put on the gun. I take a size XL in gloves and the grip was just to thin for a good grip and it was a real knuckle knocker. I am old and cranky. Did not want to start a collection of grips in a box. Spending $100+ on grips for a $400 gun is not my style. Sold it for what I paid. No harm,no foul! If I could have put my Taurus M85 Bull head grips on this gun,it would have been my all time non steel J Frame favorite!
No problem handling +P recoil with the right grips! Hope this post answered a number of questions!

Be SAFE and shoot often!

In S&W's ever continuing effort to keep us scratching our heads, the 360J was both a 38 Spcl. (early issued) and a 357 Magnum (later issued).

There's quit a few a threads here about the 38 Spcl. version speculating why & who they were made for. Sometimes you can find them for a reasonable price & other times you are better off buying the 357 Mag version.

My son bought the 38 Spcl version (black Sc frame with black steel cylinder) new about (6) years ago & I bought the 357 version, called the Two-Tone, with the black Sc frame, but SS cylinder, along with a red front sight insert, a couple years ago new.

The fired case envelope for the 38 Spcl version only says 360 but 360J is stamped on the yoke. The 357 version has 360J both places.

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Waiting for the break of day

Pretty dog gone nice! Are those Badger boot grips?
How about a couple more shots from different angles...

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Regards - GCF

Mine is the only J with wooden grips. I looked hard for this one. I wanted the scadium frame but I heard people were having cylinder problems with the 360 pd. Also I preferred this red ramp site.

Yes, they are Badger Boot (2-Finger) Grips in Dymalux Black.

My boney hand can't handle many Magnums with them though.

Out comes the Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips for them or range day.

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Waiting for the break of day

When practicing draw from a pocket holster I did find the hammer snagging on my pocket. I’m modifying my hand placement on the draw now. The gun is not primarily for cc. If necessary I will bob the hammer. I bought a 442 Perfornce recently for a price that couldn’t be passed up to see the difference of hammerless frame and to see what a factory trigger job can do. I’m Never letting go the 360

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