M360J Grip Frame

[Kernel Crittenden]

.... if you google Smith and Wesson Japanese Police Revolver 360J some model ones that are for sale in Japan will pop up.....

Since private handgun ownership is forbidden in Japan, what you're likely seeing is ads for replica guns. Exact copies in every detail, they even "shoot" replica ammunition that looks just like .357 Mag cartridges. They also copied the s/n under the thumb piece, except every replica uses the exact same number.

The M360J's sold in the US today are clearly NOT overruns. They are purpose built. Everyone and his brother has one, they have been sold in large numbers every year for the last 9 years, are extremely common, easy to find, and very low priced.

If some sharp businessman found a way to import those funky Japanese grips to the US I think they would sell very well. They would fit the M360J and any similar J frame.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Here it is. The S&W Japanese law enforcement 360J. Should answer some debate issues on this thread

That's one of the replicas. They're made by a Japanese company called Tanaka Works, Ltd, and sell for around $215 USD.

They make replicas of every gun imaginable, and are quite good at it.

 

[326MOD10]

That would be why I used the word "model" when I described them. They do appear to be an exact replica which is why I assumed the lanyard would be the same and hence the reason for the hole.

I tried to post that picture and wasn't smart enough to figure it out so thanks for doing that.

Like I said I am no expert and was only relaying what I had read/heard.

Thanks for the information.

 

[OLDSTER]

360J replica

That's one of the replicas. They're made by a Japanese company called Tanaka Works, Ltd, and sell for around $215 USD.

They make replicas of every gun imaginable, and are quite good at it.

What does the "real thing" ( as in Japanese LE) look like ?. Just curious

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

What does the "real thing" ( as in Japanese LE) look like ?. Just curious

Visually, so close to the Tanaka replica there's hardly a difference. (The Tanaka is such a faithful copy it even has the blast shield in the frame above the barrel-to-cylinder gap).

Still, the Japanese LEO Smith is just a M360J, like those sold in the US, with those special grips.

 

[Stopsign32v]

I'm really curious if the 360J ever reaches collectors status.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I'm really curious if the 360J ever reaches collectors status.

I'd say no. And I can think of three reasons right off the bat.

1.)They were made, and they are still being made, in large numbers. Just for U.S. consumption, I would estimate, conservatively, at least 5000 so far. Nothing tells me that they won't be making more in the future. It's a very popular model.

Scarcity increases desire and value with collectors. These guns ain't scarce.

2.) It has the lock. Not to rehash that old argument, but collectors aren't that interested in guns with locks. Collecting is, in part, about beauty and the lock is a big turn-off.

3.) It's a J frame. People do love and collect J frames, that is true, but not to the same extent as other Smith & Wesson frame sizes. The poor little frame J just does not have the same gravitas with the collector crowd.

 

[Stopsign32v]

I'd say no. And I can think of three reasons right off the bat.

1.)They were made, and they are still being made, in large numbers. Just for U.S. consumption, I would estimate, conservatively, at least 5000 so far. Nothing tells me that they won't be making more in the future. It's a very popular model.

Scarcity increases desire and value with collectors. These guns ain't scarce.

2.) It has the lock. Not to rehash that old argument, but collectors aren't that interested in guns with locks. Collecting is, in part, about beauty and the lock is a big turn-off.

3.) It's a J frame. People do love and collect J frames, that is true, but not to the same extent as other Smith & Wesson frame sizes. The poor little frame J just does not have the same gravitas with the collector crowd.

Fantastic points