360 vs 360pd?

Billythepoet · Mar 9, 2019

I'm looking for an ultralight carry piece and I've become intrigued by airweight J frames. I can get an airweight 360 for $460, the PD version is $820. What's the difference, besides the titanium cylinder? If that's the only difference, I can buy a Ti cylinder for $130 right now. Is the weight difference really even noticeable?

murphydog · Mar 9, 2019

I believe the 360 currently available new is in .38 Special (the 360J) with a standard steel cylinder, while the 360Sc has the lighter part and is in .357. Neither is a heavy carry gun.

The former will be tolerable with .38s and the .357 version will recoil...vigorously with .357. Good luck in your decision.

Usmc5811 · Mar 9, 2019

I saw an email yesterday and the 360’s on sale were 357 with unfluted cylinder for $469. Not a bad deal if I was looking for one but I have a m&p 340.

JimCunn · Mar 9, 2019

The weight difference is noticible. I've got three 637-2 Airweights that have been converted to titanium cylinders and 9x19mm. Weight is 12.5oz empty with Altamont combat grips.

michpatriot · Mar 9, 2019

Depends on who you ask, and how you carry. I think the titanium is worth the cost, the weight savings for pocket carry is very noticeable for me. The other side of this benefit is heavier recoil, it's a personal choice for sure. I first converted a MP340 to a ti-cylinder and it weighs 11.4oz. I liked it so much that I then purchased a 340 PD, and now use the first just for range work and the PD for carry to save on wear. Look long and hard at the threads pertaining to ti- cylinders and AirLite models and their attributes/downfalls before you jump in, lest you find yourself blindsided by the care and restrictions that go along with titanium cylinders.

JimCunn · Mar 9, 2019

What grips are you using on the MP340?

skipnsb · Mar 9, 2019

360pd=11.7
5 rounds=2.6
total=14.3
2 oz steel cyl=16.3
12% difference
if all equipment could be reduced 12%

put 2 oz on belt and see if you notice

oddshooter · Mar 9, 2019

Want to talk about conflicted feelings !

I've had my 360PD for about 8 years and it is my backcountry carry piece. I'm light in the butt and can't carry anything heavier and keep my pants up. I absolutely forget I've got it on.

BUT, that little light-weight beast turns into a monster when shot. I believe the recoil is worse than my 44 mags.

Of course, the one time I've had to shoot it in defense, I didn't feel the recoil at all. Five minutes later, I'm looking at my hand for black and blue marks.

It's the worst range toy I've ever held. The best carry piece I can imagine.

I hate it, and I will always have it on my side when walking.

Prescut

Mike_Fontenot · Mar 9, 2019

Billythepoet said:
I'm looking for an ultralight carry piece and I've become intrigued by airweight J frames. I can get an airweight 360 for $460, the PD version is $820. What's the difference, besides the titanium cylinder? If that's the only difference, I can buy a Ti cylinder for $130 right now. Is the weight difference really even noticeable?

Beware! The 360 number has been reused multiple times by S&W to mean completely different guns. I bought (and still carry as a BUG) the original 360sc: an 11oz scandium/aluminum frame .357 with titanium cylinder. Probably the highest power-to-weight ratio in history. The 360sc hasn't been made for some years now. The only similar (although cosmetically different) 360 model is the 360pd, but it's very slightly heavier. Some 360's are .38 special only, and others are .357mag but with steel cylinders, and quite a bit heavier. I think it was a bad idea by S&W to use the 360 number for so many very different guns.

michpatriot · Mar 9, 2019

Mp340 grips

JimCunn said:
What grips are you using on the MP340?

Hogue bantams on both the MP and PD, best in the pocket.

michpatriot · Mar 9, 2019

2oz

skipnsb said:
360pd=11.7
5 rounds=2.6
total=14.3
2 oz steel cyl=16.3
12% difference
if all equipment could be reduced 12%
put 2 oz on belt and see if you notice

Now put a 2 oz wheel weight all by itself in the bottom of your pocket and walk around all day with it tapping against your leg.

just kidding! but for pocket carry 2oz makes a good difference for some.

Mike_Fontenot · Mar 9, 2019

oddshooter said:
Want to talk about conflicted feelings !

I've had my 360PD for about 8 years and it is my backcountry carry piece. I'm light in the butt and can't carry anything heavier and keep my pants up. I absolutely forget I've got it on.

BUT, that little light-weight beast turns into a monster when shot. I believe the recoil is worse than my 44 mags.

Of course, the one time I've had to shoot it in defense, I didn't feel the recoil at all. Five minutes later, I'm looking at my hand for black and blue marks.

It's the worst range toy I've ever held. The best carry piece I can imagine.

I hate it, and I will always have it on my side when walking.

Prescut

I agree completely with your post. My two .44mag revolvers (a 37oz 4-1/4" 69, and a 45oz 5" full-underlug Classic 629), shooting full-spec Underwoods, DON'T punish or hurt me at all when I shoot them, even for a whole range session. That is partly because I put the Hogue X500 recoil-absorbing grips on them, and partly because I use a VERY relaxed grip with relaxed and flexed elbows that soak up the recoil with just the mass of my forearms ... the recoil doesn't reach the rest of my body. Doesn't sound like it would work, but it does. On the other hand, my 360sc positively HURTS when I shoot midpower Federal Classic .357's, and has even drawn blood a few times (from the hammer hitting the web between my thumb and fingers). (I also use the relaxed grip with the 360sc, but it doesn't prevent the hurt and/or damage). It's the nastiest gun in the world to shoot, but it carries easier than anything ... it's in my right-front jeans pocket ALL the time, and I don't even know it's there.

Old cop · Mar 9, 2019

Looking for the lightest J frame for pocket carry I purchased a no lock 340PD a few years ago and have been completely satisfied w/it. Magnum loads are too much for me but +P handles fine. Regular range time is a must w/these little guns.

Billythepoet · Mar 9, 2019

Thanks for all of the replies. I guess what I was getting at, will swapping a titanium cylinder give me a "PD" for $200 less than buying one? The only difference I can see in the two guns, is a fiber sight and Ti cylinder. Wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking a major difference.

michpatriot · Mar 9, 2019

Cylinder fitting

So...sometimes the swap isn't just a swap, sometimes the cylinder doesn't just fit in. You may need to stone the barrel to get clearance so the cylinder doesn't rub or have too tight of a gap..or you may have too much gap or need to stretch the yoke or fit shims instead..the timing may also have to be addressed, not like adding parts to a glock you will see. Anyhow good luck on your search, sometimes a bargin and what you are wanting takes a little work and or luck.

Billythepoet · Mar 9, 2019

michpatriot said:
So...sometimes the swap isn't just a swap, sometimes the cylinder doesn't just fit in. You may need to stone the barrel to get clearance so the cylinder doesn't rub or have too tight of a gap..or you may have too much gap and need to stretch the yoke or fit shims instead..the timing may also have to be addressed, not like adding parts to a glock you will see. Anyhow good luck on your search, sometimes a bargin and what you are wanting takes a little work and or luck.

I didn't realize the tolerances were that loose. I just saw videos of the swap on YouTube and assumed it was plug and play... Thanks for the heads up on that.

JimCunn · Mar 10, 2019

It usually takes an average of 5 minutes per chamber to time a new extractor.

Billythepoet · Mar 10, 2019

JimCunn said:
It usually takes an average of 5 minutes per chamber to time a new extractor.

If you reuse the original extractor, that eliminates the timing issue, right?

JimCunn · Mar 10, 2019

Yes, but that means you have to swap the extractor into the new cylinder whenever you change cylinders, and that is a slow process. Also, if you have converted to 9mm as I have, the extractor has to be milled.

For each my 637-w J-frames, I have three separate yoke, cylinder, extractor, extractor rod, center pin, and spring assemblies so I can swap the entire assembly by just removing the yoke retainer screw. That cuts the time for swapping cylinders from about ten minutes down to two minutes.

The three assemblies are
original stainless .38Sp
titanium .38Sp/.357Mag
titanium 9mm with moonclips.

I usually have the 9mm installed.

Guevera · Mar 11, 2019

oddshooter said:
It's the worst range toy I've ever held. The best carry piece I can imagine.
Prescut

This is the most succinct description of the 340 PD I have ever read.

I used to describe the sensation of shooting this revolver as like slapping mailboxes from the passenger side of a car going 40 mph, but the above is a much more elegant description of this little Smith & Wesson.

360 vs 360pd?

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