myhardtop
Member
Does anyone have any experience with this 38 special +P revolver. Tell me about the positives and negatives. Would be a carry piece. Thanks for all information.
Model 360 Scandium 38 special input
- Thread starter myhardtop
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DEM
Member
A lot of posts on this forum complained about recoil, especially with +p's. I have a 637-2 Airweight that I am absolutely happy with. Hope this helps. I've learned a lot from this forum. Good luck.
scooter123
Member
Recoil with the airweights can be a bit too brutal for some shooters, so I always encourage anyone considering one of these to try finding one they can try out before buying one. You may also want to take a look at the following thread to get an idea of what you might have to deal with.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/135519-airlite-recoil-problems.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/135519-airlite-recoil-problems.html
Thanks for link about these airlites. I am a Smith man and own many snubs. Just to big and heavy to put in my pocket. Currently carry a Taurus ported titanium snub. I shoot 38's at the range with a few +P. Have not had a problem with wrist or hands. I use a very smal boot grip in wood also. If I need to use it, I will use it as practiced with. The porting makes a big difference to me. Wanted to carry a Smith and was looking at the 13.3 oz. 360 Scandium 38 caliber for the same reason. Would carry with +P. I sure do appreciate all input as it will be used as factors in my decision. I ran across a nice 38 cal/ +P at a decent price and it sparked my reason for writing. Thanks all for your input. It is greatly appreciated.
1965
Member
I have a 342 M&P, weighing 13.3 ounces as well. Using Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P SHORT BARREL ammo was made specifically for these light guns. The recoil is less, and the velocity is about 150fps less then a .357 magnum.
The recoil is hard, so accept the reality that taking the weapon out and shooting 200 rounds at the range is not realistic. The weapon is an "oh sheet!" gun, and learning marksmanship, as you would with a duty weapon is not as important as combat techniques and firing the weapon up close and personal.
Here's and excellent sight for these j-frame revolvers:
POSA Video Network at Officer.com -- Defensive Snub Revolver - part1
The recoil is hard, so accept the reality that taking the weapon out and shooting 200 rounds at the range is not realistic. The weapon is an "oh sheet!" gun, and learning marksmanship, as you would with a duty weapon is not as important as combat techniques and firing the weapon up close and personal.
Here's and excellent sight for these j-frame revolvers:
POSA Video Network at Officer.com -- Defensive Snub Revolver - part1
They're great guns and the best deal S&W ever offered on a scandium framed revolver. It is the same frame as the M&P 360 .357mag, making for a very sturdy, but light, .38spl.
Recoil is what it is, I didn't find to be signicantly worse than a 642 Airweight. The gun is as accurate, reliable, and well built as you would expect. My only complaint is that the cylinder was quick to show surface rust, especially on the edges of the flutes, the bluing must be one of the places they cut corners.
I bought mine almost two years ago from Bud's Gun Shop for $409 and used it for a custom project. I sent it to Pinnacle High Performance and had the cylinder cut for moonclips and rechambered to 9x23 (I usually shoot 9mm out of it). They also did an action job, replaced the front sight with a fiber optic, did a half bob on the hammer, and smoothed/rounded/polished the trigger. I sent the cylinder to Robar for their NP3 coating and added a set of CT laser grips. I've shot all kinds of 9mm, plus .38 Super and a few 9x23 Winchesters through it and it is a great little gun.
You probably don't want to do that sort of project with it but even if you do nothing but carry it, I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. They are a terrific buy. I carry mine almost every day.
Recoil is what it is, I didn't find to be signicantly worse than a 642 Airweight. The gun is as accurate, reliable, and well built as you would expect. My only complaint is that the cylinder was quick to show surface rust, especially on the edges of the flutes, the bluing must be one of the places they cut corners.
I bought mine almost two years ago from Bud's Gun Shop for $409 and used it for a custom project. I sent it to Pinnacle High Performance and had the cylinder cut for moonclips and rechambered to 9x23 (I usually shoot 9mm out of it). They also did an action job, replaced the front sight with a fiber optic, did a half bob on the hammer, and smoothed/rounded/polished the trigger. I sent the cylinder to Robar for their NP3 coating and added a set of CT laser grips. I've shot all kinds of 9mm, plus .38 Super and a few 9x23 Winchesters through it and it is a great little gun.
You probably don't want to do that sort of project with it but even if you do nothing but carry it, I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. They are a terrific buy. I carry mine almost every day.
The 360s are great revolvers. I also bought mine from Bud's when they had the special going. It was just too good of a deal to pass up.
The 360 will give you a lifetime of service and be a pleasure to carry during that time.
The 360 will give you a lifetime of service and be a pleasure to carry during that time.
jframe
Member
I just bought one of these a few weeks ago. Didn't really know what the hell it was; I thought 360's were .357 Magnum only. Pretty nice gun; mine is marked "Airweight" on the right side. I believe the frame is scandium and the cylinder is definitely steel. It's kind of like it has a 442 cylinder. Sort of a hybrid. Guess what? The Lock doesn't even bother me! Recoil with the + P's I used was managable for me, but the gun did shoot low at 7 and 15 yards. I feel this was more me than the gun, because I seem to have a hell of a flinch. I shoot left handed, so I tend to push the shot in anticipation of recoil, which makes it go low and right in my case. I feel in a self defense situation, that this may not come up though, due to the circumstances. Anyway, it carries and shoots great in my opinion, and really does feel lighter than any of the Airweights I've had in the past. Overall, a good choice that I happened to also get at a great price.
Anton Chigurh
Member
I just grabbed one at the infamous Raleigh gun show (Dixie Gun & Knife Classic) where there was an ND that resulted in 3 minor injuries, or not so minor if they happened to you. That, and 2 others in the US last Saturday, combined to make the front page of CNN.com.
Anyway, don't see this cataloged, but a Scandium frame and steel cylinder limited to .38 Special (assume it shoots +P, although their is no such claim on the barrel), should't be so hard to handle. Mine had a rubber banana grip, and the dealer I was helping out, had maybe 7-8 of these. Maybe a cleanup item, since this thread stared nearly 3 years ago.
The gun is fine, am somewhat interested in the history.
Anyway, don't see this cataloged, but a Scandium frame and steel cylinder limited to .38 Special (assume it shoots +P, although their is no such claim on the barrel), should't be so hard to handle. Mine had a rubber banana grip, and the dealer I was helping out, had maybe 7-8 of these. Maybe a cleanup item, since this thread stared nearly 3 years ago.
The gun is fine, am somewhat interested in the history.
I know this thread is a little old but I've had my .38 Airweight for about a year and a half now. I'd rather carry it then my Kimber 3" .45. And I love the hell outta my .45
I still carry mine several days a week. I'd rather carry one of my Colt 1911s but they don't always fit.
I have carried one of the 357 airlites for 10 years in my back pocket. I only shoot +P and have no issue with them. It's the perfect weight for pocket carry. With the barrel shroud I don't find mine near as accurate as the airweights which I could easily put them in he head at 25 yards, it's not even close.
JR
JR
I've owned mine for several years & got it from Bud's. This is my favorite gun, & I own several quality pieces. It's light, feels right in the hand & is extremely accurate. I can hit anything I want out to 40 + feet. I've run over 1000 rounds through it, some +P & it is as tight as it was when new. +P kicks, but not too bad. (I'm not a big guy) My full-size 686 .357 kicks harder with magnums, than this with +P. I HIGHLY recommend this pistol!
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Mike_Fontenot
Member
I bought the original .357mag scandium/titanium 360sc quite a few years ago. That gun is no longer produced, but the currently-produced 360PD is essentially the same, except for cosmetics. For some crazy reason, S&W has since used the 360 number to refer to several very different guns ... sometimes with a steel cylinder instead of titanium, and sometimes only shooting .38+P (not .357mag). Seems like a dumb thing to have done.
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Ashlander
Member
I have a 360J -- Scandium frame chambered for .38 Special with a steel cylinder. It came with a three finger grip (rather than the boot grips that come on a lot of other J-frames). I carry it for concealed carry. It's not a lot of fun to shoot, but recoil is manageable with practice. Because of it's weight it is nothing to carry all day long.
scruffy
Member
Great gun...until you shoot .357 magnums out of it. Quick and accurate follow up shots are next impossible for all but the strongest and most practiced shooters. Search "cleaning titanium cylinders", "cleaning scandium frames", and "recommended ammo/bullet weights for Airlites".
As posted above Speer 135 gr Gold Dot .38+P short barrel ammo is your best bet. My opinion only, having owned two, a M637 Airweight will serve just as well at fraction of the cost and special precautions & treatment, (admittedly minus the cool factor).
As posted above Speer 135 gr Gold Dot .38+P short barrel ammo is your best bet. My opinion only, having owned two, a M637 Airweight will serve just as well at fraction of the cost and special precautions & treatment, (admittedly minus the cool factor).
cgt4570
Member
I bought my wife a 337 a few years back. She only shoots it with managed recoil rounds but I've shot several cylinders of +P. Yes, it's snappy but manageable. The only problem is if I hold it the same way as my other I and J frames, sometimes the thumb latch will scuff my thumb knuckle and draw blood. I just have to remember to position my thumb a bit lower. A lefty wouldn't have to worry.
Mike_Fontenot
Member
My 360sc IS very painful when shooting mid-level .357mags (like Federal "Hi-Shoks"), but I still carry it with that load as my BUG ... how many bad guys do you think you'll need to shoot? Almost all practicing with it is with regular .38's (American Eagle). I think having all that power in such a small light package is well worth it. (And I'm not a fast shooter, so the slower followup and large muzzle-rise isn't a disadvantage for me).
I have a model 360J in 38 Special +P. I am disappointed that the POI is almost 3 inches to the left of POA. I've done plenty of shooting to know it's not me. The groups at 15 yards all are about 3.5 inches in diameter. Shooting was done 90% off-hand and 10% rested on bench. I used standard velocity 130 grain FMJ and 158 grain FMJ ammo. Only the elevation changed. All machining seems to be very well centered regarding the sights. I have 3 J-frames that all shoot well horizontally. Any recommendations out there?
