Best Line-up: 38Sp. +P and 357; or, two 357's?

[jweez63]

My plan was to get a M64 38sp. +P in 4" and a M65 357 in
3". I want to have flexibility to fire multiple cartridges. I have 9mm, 40S&W and 45ACP covered with semi-autos. I want a couple of wheel guns to round out my capabilities. My concern is this: If I shoot 38 Sp. out of a 357 pistol, does the extra gap cause more damage to the top strap?; or, is it fine to shoot 38 sp out of a 357? I will be shooting mainly 38 sp. cartridges. Am I best with one 38 sp. and one 357? or, would two 357's be better?

Any feedback will be appreciated.

 

[MichiganScott]

The extra gap is in the chamber. The cylinder to barrel gap remains the same and flame cutting will actually be less with .38 specials because the gas volume is both less and under lesser pressure.

Shoot all the .38 Specials you want in your .357. Just be aware the build up of powder residue and/or lead ahead of the mouth of .38 cartridges may make it difficult to chamber .357's until the cylinder is cleaned.

FWIW, flame cutting is self limiting.

 

[OKFC05]

does the extra gap cause more damage to the top strap?; or, is it fine to shoot 38 sp out of a 357?

There is absolutely no damage done to a .357 by shooting any .38.
I shoot thousands of .38 each year from a model 66.
You will have to clean the cylinder of the lead and carbon residue; I recommend the tornado brushes availabe from Brownells: takes seconds.
If you don't keep the cylinder clean, .357 cartridges will not chamber properly (eventually .38s won't either).

 

[gunblade]

You can shoot .38s in your .357 without damage to the top strap, but a build up of lead and powder residue can occur in the chambers since the .38 cases are shorter...just requires more thorough cleaning.

I have the same two revolvers you mentioned and my thought process was that the 4" 64 would be a good house gun where I'd rather not have the muzzle blast from a magnum, and the 3" 65 would be for concealed carry when I want something more powerful, such as when outdoors.

This can be accomplished with one gun in .357 of course, but where's the fun in having only one revolver to choose from?

Naturally your plan sounds good to me.

 

[Smith357]

With the 65 you can fire both .38 and .357. There is no extra gap that causes flame cutting, there is a bit of extra length in the chamber. The only issues you may have is neglecting to clean the crud ring from the chambers after shooting a lot of .38 causing .357s to be difficult to load. For versatility I would recommend a .44 magnum to go along with the .357, that would get you two more cartridges that you could handle. You may even want a .327 down the road which would give three new cartridges.

 

[Titegroups]

Buy a 357 and a 44 instead, then you can shoot 38, 357, 44spl and 44 mag. with about the same money spent if thats your goal.

 

[MWK1975]

+1 on the 38/357 and 44 spl/magnum, I recently ( in the last year) have personally discovered the joy of shooting .44 specials, specifically thru a Win 1894 lever gun. A+

 

[cometpx4]

38/.357

I have a PC Model 67 3 inch with power port for plinking .38's and a 5" Talo unfluted cylinder 686 which i shoot full house .357's thru when i am in the mood. I have oftened thought about trading the 67PC for a 2.5" 686 for a more compatible set but everytime i pull that buttery smooth model 67 trigger and experience the non existent recoil i put it back in the safe.
I agree 100% that shooting .38's thru the .357 is fine, but there is just something about a .38 K frame that casues me to have one.

 

[M3Stuart]

+1 on what all of them said.

Getting a 64 and 65, IMHO, is two of the same thing - well the 64 would be a duplicate of the 65 (and not vice versa).

Just to be different: I would get that M65 and something in .22LR. The .44's are awfully pricey if you don't handload.

You just cannot go wrong with a nice S&W .22LR revolver.

Just my .02!

 

[MG-70]

I agree that a 3" and 4" Model 64 and 65 are too similar. I suggest a 6" 686 (.357mag) and a 3" 64, which is cheaper and easier to find than the 65, or 3" 65. For shooting .38s, the K-frame as about as good as it gets

 

[MikeChandler]

Buy a 357 and a 44 instead, then you can shoot 38, 357, 44spl and 44 mag. with about the same money spent if thats your goal.

That's exactly what I was thinking! Get four cartridges for the price of two. That's what I do.