Just picked up another scandium gun. The little known Model 360J 38 spl NIB for $425 locally. Here are some pics. After doing some extensive research, looks like this was a limited run revolver of about 6000 units. Mine looks like a later version judging by the cylinder. For the techies out there, do you think it would be safe to run sub 120 grain +P Critical Defense for my carry ammo in this one? I'll be practicing with Federal 158 grain round nose FYI, but have a few boxes of the critical defense. Any other info or feedback is appreciated too!

Thanks

IIRC 110 gr or less will damage the titanium cylinder guns. Anything that holds a crimp in that one should be fine.

I believe the cylinder is a stainless steel finished in melonite? The grain issue is not a problem in this one correct?

Wow! Your racking in the Scandium guns.

You should be fine in shooting the 120's.

The great Kasskop49 should be along soon and he'll know for sure.

Shorty, I told you that this would manifest into some problems. (The 4040PD purchase) I've been looking at the Scandium PC guns and the 1911 offerings too but commissions at the company I work for have been rather skimp lately. What about 357 magnums in this? **Note: I will never shoot 357 out of this BUT in a pinch, could I fire a cylinder full?

SVT28

Congrats!

I just bought one of these today also. It was online and I just couldn't resist. Never even heard of a 340J before today.

Supposedly, my cylinder is carbon steel, scandium frame.

It certainly is a unique piece. I'm hoping that the heavier cylinder will help tame recoil?

I'm hoping to put a hi-viz sight up front.

Have fun!

__________________
Best Regards,
Mark

Wait! You said that this is the 38spec. version, right? There are two flavors of the 360J. A .357 will not fit in the cylinder of this revolver.

You could, but you would need to get a cylinder chambered for .357 fitted first.

I agree that I'd not want to shoot .357 out of a 12oz gun much.

I've had a 360J for about 2 years, great little J-frame. I put Hogue boot grips on it and carry it often.

You all do know, or should, that scandium costs over $169 per gram? That tells me there is very little scandium in your aluminum alloy revolver!

The 360J only came chambered for .38spl, they did make a no frills .357mag but it was just called a 360.

That being said, the frame is the same as the M&P 360 per S&W, so strength wouldn't be an issue. I had my 360J converted to 9mm about 6 years ago, never had any trouble with it.

__________________
Don't kiss smiling dogs!

Continuing on from Mr. Road Rat. From Guns & Ammo, November 2014, Page 8. S&W Scandium Alloy Frames must contain the majority of the weight in scandium to be called an alloy. 2012 the price was running @ $169.00 per gram. 7oz. revolver frame would run around $29,000.
Just how much scandium in in a S&W revolver frame?
A few tenths of a percent?

Given that the serial number is etched onto the left side of the frame under the cylinder release, I suspect these non-catalog guns are made for law enforcement as backup guns. The few that hit the civilian markets are the left-overs.

I recall too seeing a post some time ago to the point that more than 6,000 have been made -- that S&W makes them from time to time when they get an order or an urge.

Sorry, Shorty (Remember that line from 'Good, Bad & Ugly?'), don't really know. With the airlites, it's trial and error. I've had .38 Jacketed bullets pull out of cases when fired from my Scandium 360Sc and supposedly, that should not happen. You have to try more than one load to see if it will pull or not.

I almost bought a 360J several months ago, but decided against it because no one could tell me whether the cylinder was carbon steel or black stainless. As for melonite (whatever that is), I hate melons. Even more, the gun was ugly, and for the J-hound extraordinaire to say that, it must be true.

Kaaskop49
J-hound extraordinaire

OK so the revolver is not carved out of a block of scandium. But we all know about the 1 drop rule (not to offend anyone).

I wonder how much scandium is in the 4040pd and this revolver I just acquired...

Any advice on a super comfortable IWB holster (other than the sticky holster I daily carry this 360j in?)

Svt28

Don't quite know what you mean by "sticky" holster. As I've aged, I've grown away from the fully shaped (Is the word "boned"?) IWB rigs as they are often too tight on the inside. I do not want to have to do the company's work by wrapping the gun in a plastic bag and putting it in the holster to stretch it.

This often happens when buying unseen. It also happens in LGS store displays as the rigs just sit unbought, and dry out and shrink, especially in the desert climate where I live.

That said, I cling to the less expensive suede IWB clip jobs. More supple, they do not harden or take up too much space IWB. For me, they also clear more easily.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Not sure why we all should know the going price of scandium?

S&W advertises it as Scandium Alloy. Notice the caps? Maybe patented, definitely marketing. Fine with me. I have no plans of melting it down.

Can't wait to give it a range test next week. Have fun and happy shooting!

__________________
Best Regards,
Mark

Sticky holster = Best holster ever created for the price IMO.

Lifetime warranty, in and out of the car no problem, stays in place, easy to re holster, trumps Desantis and Remora, and doubles as IWB and pocket for some guns. I have one for my 39-2 and other 39's, I use an Alien Gear rig for when I need to tuck in my shirt etc, but 90% of the time I'm rocking the sticky. One is on the way for the J-Frame.

Try it you might like it

Best Concealed Carry Holster | Sticky Holsters


SVT28