J-frames .38 special vs .357 magnum
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Boogsawaste
Member
Same size frame for the ones built on the J magnum. Not the older ones, they're smaller. You can't chamber a 357 in a 642 because the cylinder is not bored to the correct length internally. The 357 magnum cartridge was made about 1/10" longer than a 38 special to keep people from chambering them in 38 guns. Not because it needs the extra space in the case for powder.
While the .38 and the .357 are the same caliber, the .357 has a longer cartridge and will not fit in a .38 chambered revolver. The converse is true though, that a .357 chambered revolver will take any .38 round and the .357 also. So, no, there is no putting a .357 in a model 642.
Boogsawaste
Member
Traditionally they were a different length, as in k frames. Not sure about j frames though and I'm being too lazy to go measure them.
If they are identical externally, the 38 special will still have the charge holes bored slightly shallower (length wise), as to not accommodate the longer .357 shell.
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran
I just compared two J-Magnum frames both made in 1996. One a .38 Spl Airwieght and one an all steel .357. Their cylinders were exactly the same length.
Texas Star
US Veteran
You do know not to fire a .357 in a .38, even if it's been bored out, right? The pressures are far higher in the Magnum, and the guns usually use different steels and heat treatments.
You can chamber a .357 in an old Colt New Army or Navy .38, as there's no shoulder in the chambers to prevent the rounds seating. But if you fire those cartridges, it's probably going to ruin the gun and very likely, your hands or eyes. Or someone else's...
When I see a post like yours with no qualifications, I'm often alarmed, because I can't tell what you do or don't know, or who else might assume too much from a vague answer. Some who read this board are very naïve. We always have to consider that matter.
You can chamber a .357 in an old Colt New Army or Navy .38, as there's no shoulder in the chambers to prevent the rounds seating. But if you fire those cartridges, it's probably going to ruin the gun and very likely, your hands or eyes. Or someone else's...
When I see a post like yours with no qualifications, I'm often alarmed, because I can't tell what you do or don't know, or who else might assume too much from a vague answer. Some who read this board are very naïve. We always have to consider that matter.
Boogsawaste
Member
This right here. I am wondering what the intention is here. Or is it merely curiosity?
I read somewhere that you get a little better performance if .38 special is fired from a gun chambered for it only rather than from one chambered in .357 magnum.I had never really thought about it before and was just wondering where the difference was between the two.
I'm still not quite getting it, mental block or maybe I'm not just not too bright so let me try this... If .357 mag/.38 special are the same diameter with the only difference being length and the cylinders of both are bored from end to end the same diameter , I don't see what stops it from being chambered in a .38 special unless the cylinder is shorter. When you try to put a Magnum round in a 642 where does it get hung up?
I'm still not quite getting it, mental block or maybe I'm not just not too bright so let me try this... If .357 mag/.38 special are the same diameter with the only difference being length and the cylinders of both are bored from end to end the same diameter , I don't see what stops it from being chambered in a .38 special unless the cylinder is shorter. When you try to put a Magnum round in a 642 where does it get hung up?
Boogsawaste
Member
While both cartridges are exactly the same diameter and of course the .357 magnum being about 1/10" longer, and the cylinders the same length, the 38 special cylinder is not bored to the same length inside. there is a lip inside you can see. It's called the throat.
Edit: to clarify, the cylinder is NOT bored end to end on your s&w. Take a look inside with a flash light and you'll clearly see where the throat starts.
Edit: to clarify, the cylinder is NOT bored end to end on your s&w. Take a look inside with a flash light and you'll clearly see where the throat starts.
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Riflemann
Member
Wow just quit thinking about them being the same size. You CANNOT shoot 357 in a 38 special. if you want to shoot 357 than buy a 357.
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran
Does this help?
LedFowl
Member
You know, Daniel W., that was a good question. I think I just assumed the cylinder/frame was bigger somehow on the .357 J frames.
legelegel
Member
In my 638 a 38 special is about all I want to handle. A 357 is better off in a larger framed gun.
johngalt
Member
I've often wondered if the steel really is treated differently. I would think for economics, it would be cheaper to have one process than two. The fact that magnums and specials now use the same size frame gives some support to this. I'm not about to bore out my cylinder to try it though. A 642 uses an aluminum frame that has no magnum counterpart. Even if the cylinder could take magnum pressure, I suspect the frame would not do so well.
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran
It does... or it did. The all steel M640. Of which, from the -1, built on the J-Magnum frame, was rated for .357 Mag.
That's the point, one is aluminum framed and the .357s are stainless steel framed, hence the no magnum counterpart.
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