First time firing my 360 PD bad experience

[ZephyrR1]

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

I knew I should've took a chopstick to the range. Yes I would've tried to open in a different way and chopstick to knock the rounds out

 

[SHODriver]

Tim cautions against using their full power .357 in the scandium guns. The crimp jump is one problem but the other is that the alloy cylinder causes very sticky ejection when you put their full house round through it.

 

[hardhead]

Hi everyone, I thought I'd go to the range yesterday and try out my 360 PD, and give it a good test. So I packed up my stuff and headed out. Going to try out 38 special, and 357 mag. Started out with 38 special, fired 15 rounds beautiful, great so I loaded the cylinder with 357 140 grain Buffalo Bore heavy load, so here goes boom and said to myself I'm not doing that again. Okay went to open the cylinder and can't guns completely locked up.so l got the range manager and asked for help not knowing what's going on, thought maybe a round jumped its crimping and jammed. So he says he'll get someone else guy, comes over and says he'll get someone else's now going on my third person and I'm waiting with a hot pistol still jammed. Third person says he has to take to the back, me waiting what happened. Nice guy comes back and got it open, shows me the case looks good then shows me the adjacent round bullet jumped the case by pretty much. Also shows me the brass split about 3/8 to 1/2" . And also shows me that the cylinder has cracked and there's a star arm missing on the extractor. 1 more thing theirs a scratch on the cylinder side probably getting it open. I did call S&W to start a warranty claim I have to send it to them. Never heard anything like this, any thoughts. Some Pic's, RayView attachment 790427View attachment 790430View attachment 790431View attachment 790432
View attachment 790428

I've had a 340 PD for years and carry it loaded with full-house .357 magnum loads. I have only fired maybe 10 full-house loads out of the gun, and they really hurt. All the rest of the shooting is done with .38 Special. One day, while out on the property, I had a coyote come at me, fast and aggressively. I fired one shot at the animal with the full house loads, maybe Winchester (?). Never even felt the recoil.

 

[DRankin]

Sorry to bug you.... but I think it is important.

The .38's you shot first...... were they soft lead (unjacketed) bullets?

 

[ZephyrR1]

Tim cautions against using their full power .357 in the scandium guns. The crimp jump is one problem but the other is that the alloy cylinder causes very sticky ejection when you put their full house round through it.

I won't do it again

 

[ZephyrR1]

Sorry to bug you.... but I think it is important.

The .38's you shot first...... were they soft lead (unjacketed) bullets?

I'll try to get back to you on that. But they were jacked.

 

[DRankin]

I'll try to get back to you on that. But they were jacked.

OK. Thank you.

Unjacketed bullets will clog up titanium cylinders and modern S&W barrels amazingly fast.

That is a recipe for big problems when you then try to shoot a longer, higher pressure round without cleaning the gun first.

 

[malph]

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.

Buffalo Bore may not be over pressure but its pushed to the edge. Some say to the edge, others say sometimes a little over.

It's not something I'd consider shooting out of a scandium j frame.

That's asking a lot of that little gun.

 

[ZephyrR1]

Sorry to bug you.... but I think it is important.

The .38's you shot first...... were they soft lead (unjacketed) bullets?

Just checked 132 grain FMJ

 

[ZephyrR1]

Buffalo Bore may not be over pressure but its pushed to the edge. Some say to the edge, others say sometimes a little over.

It's not something I'd consider shooting out of a scandium j frame.

That's asking a lot of that little gun.

It was the only 357 ammo. I had and I only intended fire five rounds my intentions for this gun to carry 38P plus only don't care about 357 through this gun but I thought it should take it

 

[ZephyrR1]

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

Yeah, scared me badly. I'm still shaking up. but now I feel naked without it.

 

[malph]

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.

I think this is a case of the gun store selling something inappropriate to a inexperienced gun owner.

Might be the salesmen at the store didn't know much or it might have been trying to sell some expensive product.

 

[RichCapeCod]

My long time EDC, a S&W 342 (Scandium cylinder). I urge you guys carrying lightweight revolvers to consider using BB 150 grain hard cast full wadcutters (their 20D load). From this short barrel the slug is moving at nearly 900 fps and the projectile configuration is "pre-expanded." Please don't carry .357 loads in any of those lightweight five shot revolvers. The results of discharging such a piece with a .357 load is, they are full of sound and fury, signifying nothing! They will also rip your hand to pieces!!

Rich

 

[Doug M.]

Most of us mere mortals are better served by using standard pressure heavy (ish) (158-170 grain) SWC in most .38/.357 revolvers, especially the little J frames. Regardless of any danger to the firearm, anything heavier than my suggestion/preference is likely to be too unpleasant to shoot enough to be proficient.

 

[Lt.Donn]

Buffalo Bore makes very hot ammo and does not adhere to SAAMI pressure limits. They have a unique approach compared to industry standard companies. They put warnings on their ammo saying not to use it on certain guns. Just because they label that box of ammunition as 357 Magnum, doesn't mean you can shoot it in any 357 Magnum firearm. Buffalo Bore says to use it only in steel frame guns and warns against using this load in any lightweight alloy framed revolvers.

Interestingly the box end flap is labelled as "For use in all 357 Mag firearms in normal operating condition." Except it isn't according to their website!

Here is Buffalo Bore's warning on their website regarding your particular load.

BUFFALO-BARNES LEAD-FREE 357 Mag Low Flash-Short Barrel Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

BUFFALO-BARNES LEAD-FREE 357 Mag Low Flash-Short Barrel Field Proven pistol and handgun ammo. Maximum firepower bullets. Best ammunition for pistols and handguns for sale. Buffalo Bore. Strictly big bore. Strictly Business.

www.buffalobore.com

"Buffalo Bore type HEAVY 357 Mag. load and as such, should only be used in revolvers made of all steel. It should not be fired in a lightweight, alloy framed or cylindered revolver. Feel free to use it in ANY/ALL 357 mag. chambered rifles and all steel revolvers/handguns."

Make sure you disclose what ammo you shot to S&W when you return the gun. S&W will probably blame the ammunition (rightly so) and Buffalo Bore will probably say you should have read their fine print.

When I'm not shooting my own reloads, I chose factory ammo from the well established companies that adhere to SAAMI. Buffalo Bore touts some impressive ballistics but it comes at the cost of higher than standard pressures and increased wear on your gun. Plus their small print says not to use it in certain guns. Bear that in mind when you buy ammo.

I think you are spot on...I believe Smith " may' give him a one-time break for the sake of good CS but it's doubtful...I think he owns this one 100% for all the reasons you stated..

 

[Nightowl]

Is that warning that you found on the BB website found on the box of ammo? If not, I would not expect to have to check out a website for compliance! If its not on the box, it does not count, in my opinion.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Buffalo Bore makes very hot ammo and does not adhere to SAAMI pressure limits. They have a unique approach compared to industry standard companies. They put warnings on their ammo saying not to use it on certain guns. Just because they label that box of ammunition as 357 Magnum, doesn't mean you can shoot it in any 357 Magnum firearm. Buffalo Bore says to use it only in steel frame guns and warns against using this load in any lightweight alloy framed revolvers.

Interestingly the box end flap is labelled as "For use in all 357 Mag firearms in normal operating condition." Except it isn't according to their website!

Here is Buffalo Bore's warning on their website regarding your particular load.

BUFFALO-BARNES LEAD-FREE 357 Mag Low Flash-Short Barrel Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

BUFFALO-BARNES LEAD-FREE 357 Mag Low Flash-Short Barrel Field Proven pistol and handgun ammo. Maximum firepower bullets. Best ammunition for pistols and handguns for sale. Buffalo Bore. Strictly big bore. Strictly Business.

www.buffalobore.com

"Buffalo Bore type HEAVY 357 Mag. load and as such, should only be used in revolvers made of all steel. It should not be fired in a lightweight, alloy framed or cylindered revolver. Feel free to use it in ANY/ALL 357 mag. chambered rifles and all steel revolvers/handguns."

Make sure you disclose what ammo you shot to S&W when you return the gun. S&W will probably blame the ammunition (rightly so) and Buffalo Bore will probably say you should have read their fine print.

When I'm not shooting my own reloads, I chose factory ammo from the well established companies that adhere to SAAMI. Buffalo Bore touts some impressive ballistics but it comes at the cost of higher than standard pressures and increased wear on your gun. Plus their small print says not to use it in certain guns. Bear that in mind when you buy ammo.

......X2............

 

[DixieRanger]

Hate you had to experience this.. Got the 340PD when came out I think in 2002. Fired one cylinder of .357 & that was enough, no more
.357 for me! My edc for many years in front pocket stoked with Speer 158gr LHPSWC's. Handle is Crimson Trace.Green lazer.

 

[Kenneth07ex]

You never know how generous s&w will be, they might just fix it under warranty, but probably not. At least I wouldn't expect it. They're fairly cheap on gunsmith services though, so it shouldn't be too much, maybe the cost of the cylinder might be, but ejectors aren't expensive. I'd probably make the best of it, and have them cut the new cylinder for moon clips, while they have it. Less fumbling if you need to reload, and easier for old fingers IMHO.

 

[Furrball]

You put about the hottest round avaliable in a Scandium/Aluminum Frame Revolver with a Titanium Cylinder.
That load is Way to Hot for that pistol.
You are lucky you still have a hand.
Good grief.
That is why we can't have nice things.