K frame .357's warning from friend

[Texas Star]

Look at the OP. The guy giving this warning is a metallic silhouette shooter. He shoots a LOT of heavy loads and the K-frame .357s were never intended for that role. Nor, really, are L and N-frame guns. To knock over those rams, etc. really well requires a .44 Magnum and those into this sport found the S&W .44's lacking when they used heavy handloads and did a lot of this shooting. The M-629-3 etc. were beefed up internally to avoid some of those issues. Still probably not as durable as a Ruger Redhawk. But a Redhawk is a cumbersome thing to carry.


The best advice is to avoid sports that are known to abuse and wear out guns faster than normal real world shooting does.

 

[Pocketrocket]

Seamaster you are right. This info will always be relevant. I got back into shooting last year after quite a few years away and didn't know about this. Also like mentioned earlier, I think loadings have changed. I dug up some old handloads that I labeled as HOT. 110 jhp over 14gr. AA#7. Didn't like shooting them in my 65. Lo and behold a new 28-2 shows up and I tried them again. Much more fun and no risk to gun. Now these are 110 compared to 125 but probably faster. Haven't tried any new factory 357s yet.


Yeah ok it was a zombie but I'm new here.

 

[BruceM]

The guy giving this warning is a metallic silhouette shooter. He shoots a LOT of heavy loads and the K-frame .357s were never intended for that role. Nor, really, are L and N-frame guns. To knock over those rams, etc. really well requires a .44 Magnum and those into this sport found the S&W .44's lacking when they used heavy handloads and did a lot of this shooting. The M-629-3 etc. were beefed up internally to avoid some of those issues. Still probably not as durable as a Ruger Redhawk. But a Redhawk is a cumbersome thing to carry.

The fact is that silhouette shooters were notorious for pushing the envelope (and more importantly the pressures) seeking to knock the rams down more effectively. Further, at least one of the major issues "solved" by the Endurance Package was, IMO, actually brought on when S&W changed over from the four screw frame to the three screw frame.

In my experience, Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum revolvers will hold up just fine to as many round of SAAMI level loads with 250 grain or lighter bullets as the vast majority of shooters will shoot in a lifetime. Where Rugers get the nod is when shooters decide to feed their guns a steady diet of "silhouette level" loads or full power loads using 275 grain or heavier bullets. There is a price to be paid for that extra "beef", both literally and figuratively.

Spherical powders like H110/W296 may erode forcing cones more quickly than flake powders but not significantly more so. If they escalate gas cutting of the top strap, it should not be a concern in .357, .41 and .44 magnum revolvers as that form of wear is both inevitable and self limiting.

Bruce

 

[cowboy4evr]

Seldom is the time that I go beyond 1200+ fps with my revolver loads in 357 , 41 and 44 magnum . In 45 Colt , about 900 fps is about the max with a 255 gr cast bullet . Sure , I have shot stronger loads but just don't see that much of a gain going beyond those limits.

 

[silentflyer]

If you want to shoot metal silhouette use an N frame S&W,Dan Wesson,Contender or Ruger and blaze away. Back in the day the Dan Wesson's dominated the sport.