M-357PD real-world experience

[kaaskop49]

Anybody have any experience with the M-357PD, the Scandium N-frame 4" .41Mag revolver? I had a chance to pick up a LNIB today, but thought better after hearing of problems with its sister M-329: cracked frames, excessive case expansion, barrel movement.
I have scanned prior threads: one poster showed a photo of a cracked M-357 frame. Many posters said handloading was the way to go. I have much .41 factory ammo, mostly the lead bullet 'police load,' also Silvertips. Has anyone found bullet-pull as on the J-frame guns? Would appreciate hands-on experience with this model. Thank you.

 

[JOE MACK]

I sold my S&W 357 PD to a guy along with some properly headstamped brass in .41Special. I'll wait a little while and see what he has to say. You can't shoot "GONZO" loads in the little darlins' and expect such a lightweight handgun to stay pristine. I save the .41Magnum "GONZO" loads for my Ruger Redhawks, FAs, and DWs not to mention the Ruger SAs.

 

[SuperMan]

I have one... A great shooter. Only have a few boxes of ammo through it as I have bunch of .41s and the 357 usually just gets carried as a backup to a hunting rifle.

The stock grips were replaced with a set of the Hogue 500s and the IL was replaced with "The Plug". Last spring I also picked up a 357PD after they were discontinued.

The round of choice for there has been a reload with a 230 grain Keith bullet from Leadhead Bullets. 8.0 grains of Unique rund 975 from the 4" barrel.

As the other poster said, this is not a gun to run a lot of factory full loads through... That said full factory loads out of a 357 are a lot more pleasant that full .44 Magnum loads from a 329.

Bob