357 Magnum in my J-frame?

[Cal44]

I wonder how many here carry and shoot 357 mag in their j-frames defense guns.

I have my M60-15 on my ccw permit and am considering putting effort into mastering 357 magnum with it.

It's a 3-in adjustable sight model with the stock 3 finger S&W grip, and is easy to shoot accurately with 38-sp.

I'm thinking if I only have 5 shots they might as well be "big" ones.

Will this gun hold up to lots of 357 mag rounds?

Will I?

I figure I'll use 125 grain BB or Critical Defense ammo in it.

I'll have to find something cheaper for practice, though.

Dave

 

[BE Mike]

I've shot a box of 158 gr. JSP factory magnums in my 60-10. I've shot a small quantity of Speer 135 gr. factory short barrel magnums as well. The gun is as tight as it was when I got it. Surprisingly, this is one of the most accurate revolvers I own. Shooting magnums in any medium frame (k) or small frame (j) revolver accelerates wear. Think of taking your family car out on the race track. I wouldn't feed my little 60-10 a steady diet of magnums, but it looks like it'll hold up to some once in a while and stay strong.

 

[Iggy]

The gun will probably last longer than your hand and wrist will...

 

[shouldazagged]

The gun will probably last longer than your hand and wrist will...

Beat me to it, Iggy. Unless you're either insensitive to recoil or one of those unusual people who love hard kickers (and magnified flash and blast) you may not find shooting .357 ammo in a J-frame something you'll want to do a lot.

 

[mc5aw]

I'm old enough to remember when shooting .357s in a small frame revolver was a rite of passage. I'm wise enough to realize the potential for serious nerve damage in both hand and wrist doing so. If I want to shoot .357s, I'll go with the K, L, or N frame. +Ps are more than enough in a J.

 

[Old cop]

Agree w/MC5AW, the .357 is too much for me, especially w/follow-up shots. I believe modern +P will give you what is needed, providing good shot placement, w/o sacrificing increased recoil and flash.

 

[44 special Dave]

A friend had a mod 60-10 3" 357. shot about 20 rounds thru it wearing a thin leather shooting glove. While not the cannon I thought it would be, it wasn't easy to recover for the next shot.

My son's mod 13-3 3" "seemed" to recoil almost as much as the model 60. But that was probably just perception, not reality.

A j frame with 38s and +P 38s works just fine.

I chuckle at a lot of members who carry saying how they are under gunned with a 5 shot j frame and feel better carrying a 15 shot 9mm WITH an extra mag. (ok mini editorial over).

I will say however that I can't imagine touching off a 357 in one of those 12 oz ultra lights. The model 60-10 weighs 24 oz empty.

Bullet placement is key.

Dave

 

[Boogsawaste]

Depending on where I'm going, I'll carry a j frame with .357 (woods) or 38+p (urban).

At typical 7 yard distances I can still rapid fire it and get all in a decent area on one of those human size targets. Not as quick or controlled as +p stuff, but it's the choice I make and I'm comfortable with it.

 

[Hapworth]

I'm largely with the .357 Magnum in J-frames is ill-advised crowd, but if you insist, suggest using a quality powered-down version like Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel or (the outgoing) Remington Golden Saber. You'll get superior ballistics to .38+P with controlled flash and bang, and much more manageable recoil compared to full-house .357.

 

[eb07]

I only carry 357 out of my snubs that can shoot it. I carry the most powerful load I can accurately shoot one handed.

 

[307-Niner]

I think you'll be just fine with the magnums in your M60. Full house loads weren't terrible as described in my airweight M&P 340...

I would recommend one of the "short barrel" loads available from many manufacturers. Lower recoil & reduced muzzle flash can only be a good thing for follow up shots.

 

[Irn-Bru]

I carry my 649 regularly and have it loaded a little differently. First three rounds are .38 special +P and the last two are .357 magnum JHP.

 

[mc5aw]

One thing to add ... I just scored a few boxes of Ultramax 125g RNFP .357s, and they are very easy shooting for practice. Basically designed for the SA crowd, these felt like .38 WCs in a K and L, and like a .22 in the N. In a J frame, the lightweight rounds were very manageable, and nowhere near 158s.

 

[rwsmith]

Low end .357

My defensive round is a low end .357, even in bigger guns. A full .357 in a j frame has to feel like getting your hand caught in a bear trap. But you can get used to it.

 

[mauiblue]

I shot about 200 rounds of +P 38 special ammo through my Model 638 and I had numbness in my hand for a couple weeks. I can't imagine what punishment I would have taken if I shot a 357 magnum J frame revolver.

Sent from my using Tapatalk

 

[3rdRRU_PhuBai]

From Post#4,below:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/concea...520-how-much-do-you-shoot-your-carry-gun.html

"Every two years I shoot 25 rounds of .357M from a S&W 640-1 and 25 rounds of .45ACP from a Glock-30 because that's what NM law requires, then I clean the guns and put them away for two years."

And, I wear a heavy, leather, short-fingered glove with the 640-1.

 

[Sgt.Peck]

I have a 60-9, .357 and I only put .38's in it. I see no need for the extra muzzle flash and recoil. I also want faster, more accurate follow up shots.

 

[629shooter]

A 3" M60 will do fine with magnum loads. Recoil is subjective.

 

[regalsc]

I have found that for me it is what I become used to while shooting. I put 50 rounds of PMC 44mag through my 329ng which toward the end became my limit with that gun. I then shot my 337ti with 158's standard load & those felt like next to nothing. I have found the full grip combats to be more comfortable on my j frames.

 

[downzero1911]

I'm looking to get a 640 Pro Series very soon. I plan on shooting mostly 38 Special. For carry, I plan on putting 357 Mag in the gun with 38 Special in moon clips for reloads. I'm experimenting with the 357 light magnum loads.