I'm old and apparently a wuss too.

[Oaktree45]

[FONT=&quot]One of the guns I inherited from my brother was a S&W model 640-1with 2 inch barrel 357 Magnum and aftermarket laser grips. I've had this gun for quite a long time and today I finally made time to shoot the gun. I shot .38 Specials first and was impressed with the accuracy. I then loaded it with .357 Magnums. Holy ****, the kick was brutal. Shooting .357's was not fun at all, it was more like a punishment. After 5 rounds I went back to shooting .38 specials.
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[Jessie]

I would too....

 

[clang444]

be thankful you can still see the target and your tremors aren't so bad that you miss it.

: )

 

[pharmer]

The Federal 125 gr HP's are brutal in the 640. 158 gr tend to move about 250 fps slower and are much more manageable in my experience. Leave the factory grip on too, I've tried 3 others and the OE is best. Joe

 

[Pizza Bob]

Not a wuss, just older and wiser.

 

[nedlate]

That is just what I found also! 1 cylinder of 357 and that was enough! Another guy at that range wanted to try it, 1 cylinder full was enough for him also! Nothing wrong with shooting 38+P.
Ed

 

[ADP3]

Remington Golden Sabers and Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .357 loads are mid-range. They have more oomph than +P .38's but don't hammer you as hard as full blast .357 ammo.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[tominboise]

The most miserable shooting experience I have ever had was running 5 357 rounds through a 360PD. It was like someone hitting me in the palm with a baseball bat. The only gun that I have ever run one cylinder full through and then sold.

I feel your pain.

 

[cremaley]

.357 ammo is not for the faint of heart. I much prefer to shoot .38 special and enjoy my time at the range.

 

[Minorcan]

Yep you're a wuss. Just kidding but I regularly shoot 357 mags in my Model 60 with no issue. I usually shoot at least a box on a range visit. I do shoot 158 gr though. Try working up to more cyl a bit at a time.

 

[Kurusu]

[FONT=&quot]One of the guns I inherited from my brother was a S&W model 640-1with 2 inch barrel 357 Magnum and aftermarket laser grips. I've had this gun for quite a long time and today I finally made time to shoot the gun. I shot .38 Specials first and was impressed with the accuracy. I then loaded it with .357 Magnums. Holy ****, the kick was brutal. Shooting .357's was not fun at all, it was more like a punishment. After 5 rounds I went back to shooting .38 specials.
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No. You are not a wuss. Shooting full house .357 mags out of that is doable, but not agreable. And they are not supposed to be agreable specially on the receiving end. Shoot a lot of .38 specials. Shoot 2 cylinders of .357s in the end. Carry it with .357s

If you want to play with .357s use an N frame.

 

[oddshooter]

360pd

The most miserable shooting experience I have ever had was running 5 357 rounds through a 360PD. It was like someone hitting me in the palm with a baseball bat. The only gun that I have ever run one cylinder full through and then sold.

I feel your pain.

==============================

I've had a 360PD for about 6 years now and only shoot 357mag. It is so light that I can actually carry it and keep my pants up. It goes with me on every backcountry trip and I forget I'm wearing it.

Because it weighs 13oz, it is brutal to shoot. It is a GREAT carry or backpack gun; but it is the WORST range toy ever invented.

It's perfect for what it was meant to do.
I both love and hate it at the same time.


Prescut

 

[THE PILGRIM]

As we have discussed, 357s in J Frames are uncomfortable to painful.
I carry 38 +P in mine.
Heres my 640.
Loaded with +P!

 

[Bill In Texas]

I agree with ADP3. I run the Speer Short Barrel 135 grain .357 Gold Dots in my 640-1. It's been the gun I've carried the most for the last few years. I like the Speer SBGD's because they are about 100-150 fps more than the .38 special variety without the pain of a full max .357 load. To me, the recoil is about the same the .38 special SSBGD.

 

[Inusuit]

The older I get, the less tolerant I am of recoil. See no reason to rattle my teeth with hot loads.

 

[robvious]

be careful shooting 38 then 357... carbon ring can cause over pressure issues... and yes... you are NOT a wuss... J frame and 357 hurt a bit

 

[bigggbbruce]

Another plus being a reloader..

My 357 Mag loads are hot 38 spl +P makes the J frame bark just right.

 

[rubiranch]

I then loaded it with .357 Magnums. Holy ****, the kick was brutal. Shooting .357's was not fun at all, it was more like a punishment. After 5 rounds I went back to shooting .38 specials.

.357 Mags are all I've ever shot in my 640-1. They are a blast.

 

[lkabug]

Not a wuss, just wiser!

 

[JohnRippert]

Not enough grip on that one for .357's IMO. The Sile combats I use on my 640-1's are big enough to get all three fingers on and have enough girth to fill the hand pretty well. I find .357's with this setup to be stout, but not painful or discouraging.