Is a Model 60-4 strong enough for occasional .357 Magnum rounds?

[cgt4570]

Is it strong enough for Magnum rounds? It's a 3" target 60-4 chambered for .38 from 1990. It has the new style cylinder and extractor. The window is long enough. The cylinder is identical to a new .357 Magnum cylinder I have. If I swap cylinders (it fits and times), would a few sighting rounds and carry rounds be ok or would it blow up like a grenade?
Chris

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Just me but I wouldn't do it. Even if it is the new J magnum frame which can probably take it, Why tempt fate?????
This may be heresy, but since Smith reccomends against a constant diet of 357's in K frames and in fact discontinued them, it seems kinda quirky that they now "rate" their J frames for 357
Me personally, the smallest gun I feel comfortable shooting 357's out of is my SP101. J frames were made for 38's pure and simple-NOT 357's.
Kinda like why I am lukewarm towards the 29's and 699's both made on frames that were not originally designed for the 44 mag. Don't get me wrong they are beautiful guns and I own and love my mountain gun-but it's for 44 spls with occasional magnums. My Super redhawk is the REAL 44 magnum.

Let the fireworks begin!!!!!

 

[Centenniel]

I agree with Caj, if you want a .357, get one, don't "roll the dice" with a nice 60-4.

 

[blueknight7]

In a word, "Uh, No!!!!!" Years ago I had one of the guys bring me a Charter Arms .44 Special Stainless Bulldog, complaining that it kicked WAY too hard. Was going to use it for a bootgun, in UC operations. Now, this thing only weighs 19 oz. He's only shot 5 rds. through it, and hadn't even cleared it yet. See what I got for being an armorer. Lo and behold, staring back at me were the headstamps of 5 Remington .44 Magnums. Seems like Charter cut the chambers a tad too long, in that particular pistol. He said he thought the nose of the cartridges were sure close to the front of the chamber. Yeah, I bet they were. The gun held, but, I sure don't know how.
I really don't think you need to blue pill load your Model 60, unless you are real good at the lottery. Oh, its gonna kick just about like a Charter Arms .44 special, with magnums in it. And I thought my 329PD has some kick. At least its 26 oz.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I will agree with everyone, I don't even
shoot 357 mags. in my K frame. If I shoot
357 mags. I do it in a N frame. Don

 

[Bat Guano]

I have had a 60-4 for about 16 yrs now, and I see no point in hot rodding it. It's way too nice a gun to jeopardize for--what?

For a while I had its .357 successor, which was quite a little pocket rocket. It wasn't as nice a gun, and I traded it off to a friend...who proceeded to blow it up.

We have a couple of 3" SP-101s in the family, and if I had a real need for a small .357 I'd go that route.

 

[claybird]

model 60

I have a 60-14 rated for 357. I loaded 5 rounds of factory Rem 125 gr
357 and fired 3 rounds. Openedd the cylinder took out the 2 unfired rounds an have stuck to 38 sp ever since. My 79 year old wrist won't stand punishmment like that any more. Even 38+p is a little stout for me.
If I shoot 357 mags its in my 686 or Ruger BH . The 686 wears
Houge goodyears and is a fun gun to shoot.
If is says 38 sp on the barrel, thats what the factory means.