First time firing my 360 PD bad experience

[ZephyrR1]

Some great responses in this thread. These days I am one of S&W's harshes critics — but I cannot blame them for this one.

I would like to hope that S&W covers this but when you tell them what ammo you were using, they may protest.

Please be sure to return to this same thread with updates along the way.

Will do Thanks

 

[ZephyrR1]

This is unfortunate. Buffalo bore ammo is great stuff, but the "heavy loads" are not for newbies for sure. I have shot Buffalo heavy .357 thru an 11.5 oz Airlite quite a bit. I love it but some loads do jump crimp. That the case is split is weird. Buffalo uses mostly Starline brass which is some of the best. There is a smart way to fix a jam from bullet jump but it looks like this was not done. The .357 mag J frame Airlites are the best pocket guns ever. Get the gun fixed and try again with .38+p's. I think if you email Tim Sundles directly (the owner of Buffalo Bore) he will tell you his ammo is NOT overpressure as some have stated here. He is very knowledgeable about his product and will give you only a straight truthful answer.

I have not heard of buffalo bore ever, when picking up and my waiting period was over "I live In SoCal" i purchased 357 at the same time. This is my first revolver and BB is what was sold to at the same time. California has record of this as nothing in this state goes unnoticed.

 

[ZephyrR1]

Got this used revolver on Lay-A-Way at my LGS. Hope I have better luck my first range trip with it.
View attachment 790529View attachment 790530

Is it 38 special

 

[SSGRock]

Is it 38 special

No, 45 ACP

 

[ZephyrR1]

No, 45. ACP

No, 45 ACP

Whoa that sounds like a handful.

 

[shell627]

My 325 night guard is one of my favorite handguns.I have not been able to shoot it loose.It is a great carry gun.
Sorry for thread drift

 

[KSDrifter]

I'd be heartbroken to have that happen. That bites chunks.

 

[joebuck]

Please post close-ups of the cylinder crack you are talking about from several angles. This is the most serious issue to figure out here. The Buffalo ammo you bought is stout to say the least for an all-steel gun much less your 360. The .45 ACP Nightguard shown by another member would be mild by comparison to what you shot with those 140-grain hot and heavies in an 11.5 oz gun. And if you are a female? Wow! Welcome to the world of pocket cannons. I would send the gun back to Smith with a letter stating exactly what happened and you might get a new or rebuilt gun. Also send the same letter and pics to Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore to figure this out. It's a gun worth investing your time into for the ultimate in lightweight concealed carry.

 

[AJ]

Anything from S&W?

 

[Coyote56]

Never have that concern with my Ruger SP101

 

[Klondike Mike]

I'm afraid you're going to have to bite the bullet on this one and sorry for the intended pun. Hopefully Smith will repair or replace it at cost and you will be back shooting in short order. I'm certain the Buffalo Bore ammo is not over pressure but the lead free solid copper bullet probably was more than your alloy revolver could handle. The copper bullets have a longer bearing surface than lead and of course will not compress as easily when forced into the forcing come. Good luck and please keep us posted on the responses from S&W and BB.

 

[SASFixer]

I have a N framed 45 ACP RB snub scandium frame, one of the two most uncomfortable revolvers to shoot. The LCR is the other one, it beats the side of my trigger finger to a pulp. Snappy little beast, not much for practice though.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

"You're a better man than me Gunga Din."
Old 357 shooter here. Have fired thousands in K, L and N's,
Some in Colts and Rugers.
A few of the Sissy Boy regular brands in J's.
60, 640 and 649. Didn't enjoy it, will only do it again if circumstances absolutely require me to.

 

[MN2944]

I don't think I'd even waste time contacting BB. If you watch any of the videos the owner posts on YouTube, you'll quickly realize that he has never been wrong about anything, ever. If you disagree, he will call you an idiot, corrupt or both. S&W may help you out in the name of good customer service, but I wouldn't count on it. You may just have to eat the repair and move on.

 

[DRankin]

I think there is more than one problem here...............Please tell me exactly what kind of .38 Special loads you shot first.

 

[Oldtimer1]

Not meaning to beat up you have got enough problems already, but why shoot such hot loads at he range? For range ammo I like to use the cheapest crap that will carry the bullet to the paper target.

 

[DRankin]

I don't think I'd even waste time contacting BB. If you watch any of the videos the owner posts on YouTube, you'll quickly realize that he has never been wrong about anything, ever. If you disagree, he will call you an idiot, corrupt or both. S&W may help you out in the name of good customer service, but I wouldn't count on it. You may just have to eat the repair and move on.

I had that very experience with him just trying to discuss the remedies for rim-lock in a .32 ACP.

A very unpleasant man.........

 

[Dan W. Cady]

Not sure I was not there when he got it open I'm sure he used a mallet, I do know the spent case was stuck and he went back again. He came back again with the rounds out.

It looks like he beat the ejector rod. The stuck rounds could have been easily removed individuality with a squib rod.

 

[cmj8591]

Not meaning to beat up you have got enough problems already, but why shoot such hot loads at he range? For range ammo I like to use the cheapest crap that will carry the bullet to the paper target.

For the exact reason that this incident illustrates. You need to know that the ammo you are betting your life on one, works and two, is able to hit where you are pointing. Then of course number three, which is that you want to be familiar with the characteristics of your system. That includes how the ammo works. Imagine if this happened when he was trying to defend himself.

 

[ZephyrR1]

Please post close-ups of the cylinder crack you are talking about from several angles. This is the most serious issue to figure out here. The Buffalo ammo you bought is stout to say the least for an all-steel gun much less your 360. The .45 ACP Nightguard shown by another member would be mild by comparison to what you shot with those 140-grain hot and heavies in an 11.5 oz gun. And if you are a female? Wow! Welcome to the world of pocket cannons. I would send the gun back to Smith with a letter stating exactly what happened and you might get a new or rebuilt gun. Also send the same letter and pics to Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore to figure this out. It's a gun worth investing your time into for the ultimate in lightweight concealed carry.

I'm going to try to to get better pic's of the cylinder today. I am handicapped 74 year-old with two neck surgeries. I purchased my 360 PD self-defense as it was very light and no longer can grip heavier weapons. My handicap leaves me slow to go so it may take a while thanks for your response