New run vs. old run 360J 38+P

[Dave Baird]

Hi friends!
Going to purchase one of the 360J's. I have read on this forum that there are two types, one with a carbon steel cylinder and one with a stainless one. I would prefer the stainless and believe that would have been the later run? Since I can't tell from looking at pics of the guns since all cylinders are black, is there another way to tell? I did notice that some have "38spl. Cal" on the right barrel sleeve and others have "Cal 38spl+P". Could that be a determining factor on the two different cylinders?

Just wonderin'! Might as well get a better one for the same $$$.

Thank you!!!!!!
Dave

 

[L Pete]

They're not stainless. My year old version started rusting in about two months. I don't care what they say on the forum, it ain't stainless.

 

[WC145]

My 8 year first run 360J has a carbon steel cylinder and it would get rust on the edges of the flutes after wearing it in an ankle holster for the day. I sent the cylinder to Robar and had it coated with NP3, that took care of the problem. I'm not sure when they were supposed to have switched to stainless, maybe in the last 3 years or so. But, considering L Pete's experience, who knows. Of course, it's worth remembering that stainless steel can and will rust, given the right circumstances.

 

[Dave Baird]

Thank you. Any idea about the barrel shroud markings, which may have come first? L Pete, which marking does yours have, please?

I wish the sellers would show the box labels or read them for me, but they don't. Heck, they won't even answer which marking is on the barrel of the gun they are selling. I have to try to put it together by enlarging their pics.

 

[L Pete]

Mine has the +P marking. Like I said, it's about a year old.

 

[OLDSTER]

360J

This has become my favorite carry. I've owned it for over 3 years, and I keep a light coating of oil or grease on the carbon steel cylinder, and have had no issues at all. And this thing has been fired over 500 time at the range

 

[Dave Baird]

Thanks fellas. That would tend to prove:
1. The barrels with the +P rating marked on the side are the later guns, wouldn't you think?

2. And, if VIS35's gun has that marking AND has a carbon steel cylinder, that would tend to prove the marking on the barrel has no connection with the cylinder composition, (unless the early guns had stainless cylinders and I wouldn't think so??)

3. If all of that is true, seems the only way to determine a stainless cylinder or not is to view the box label, am I right? There is a thread here somewhere that does have an SS on the label, so we know they exist. Too bad most sellers (dealers/distributors) use a stock photo on their ads or auctions and won't respond to questions on the guns themselves or labels. Guess they are too busy. I don't have a lot of money so would like to make it count when I purchase a gun.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

In recent years S&W hasn't put many feature codes on their box labels. 10 or so years ago, on the label, you might of seen a "CS" for cylinder stsinless. Or a "CC" for cylinder carbon steel. "FA" meant frame alloy, which could be aluminum or scandium.

 

[Dave Baird]

I think you are right, Kernel. Because.....I just bought one!!! There are no such markings on the label at all. So, although I bought a gun that does have the +P on the barrel shroud, I have no idea if the cylinder is SS or not, I am guessing not. The date on the test cartridge is 6/2015 so i am certain mine is a later gun and that's what I was looking for! I never got a response from either seller on GunBroker but found mine at a gun show today! Very happily surprised!

Thanks guys!!!
Dave

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

The stainless steel that S&W uses is magnetic and will attract a magnet. However the attraction is not as strong as pure carbon steel. If you have a gun with a known carbon steel cylinder you may be able to feel a difference when comparing the attractive force of both cylinders. A weaker attraction would indicate stainless steel.

 

[WC145]

Thank you. Any idea about the barrel shroud markings, which may have come first? L Pete, which marking does yours have, please?

I wish the sellers would show the box labels or read them for me, but they don't. Heck, they won't even answer which marking is on the barrel of the gun they are selling. I have to try to put it together by enlarging their pics.

Late getting back to this thread, sorry. My barrel reads -
SMITH & WESSON
S & W .38 CAL.

I'll have to look at the box and see what the label says.

 

[kaaskop49]

Awful lot of conjecture on this model that the factory does not seem to want to clear up. Stainless parts or no? +P or no? I actually came across one of these in my LGS. It was out-of-time, so I left if for someone else to deal with. That's difficult for a J-hound to do!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Dave Baird]

It is an oddity for sure! I like stuff like that especially when it has to do with military or PD. After installing a standard XS front sight, a Hogue Bantam, and lanyard ring, I think mine is finished.

 

[Cptslick]

360J

This is the one I have and it specifies .38 +P only because of the cylinder. The 360PD however has the other cylinder and can fire .357. I haven't fired mine and I have it up for sale right now.

 

[OLDSTER]

360

It is an oddity for sure! I like stuff like that especially when it has to do with military or PD. After installing a standard XS front sight, a Hogue Bantam, and lanyard ring, I think mine is finished.

I've done a little research on this fine J frame. These, apparently, were a special run for Japanese law enforcement. As they are slowly converting to semi-autos, the 360s are coming back to our market. So they're an enigma, and a great little revolver. I snapped one up three years ago and love it (carbon steel cylinder and .38+P). They've never been listed in the S&W catalog. And why no import markings ?? Go figure

 

[diyj98]

I picked up one recently. There's nothing on the box that would tell me what the cylinder is made of, but S&W told me they were all carbon steel cylinders. When I asked about the 360J, the guy told me "It's just a 38 special 360, there is no 'j' model. All j frames are j's." So I'm not too sure the fellow I spoke to on the phone was the most informed though.

 

[Dave Baird]

Maybe the "J" meant Japan Contract???

 

[OLDSTER]

360J

Maybe the "J" meant Japan Contract???

That could very well be (seriously)

 

[Horn]

Check Smith & Wesson

Hi friends!
Going to purchase one of the 360J's. I have read on this forum that there are two types, one with a carbon steel cylinder and one with a stainless one. I would prefer the stainless and believe that would have been the later run? Since I can't tell from looking at pics of the guns since all cylinders are black, is there another way to tell? I did notice that some have "38spl. Cal" on the right barrel sleeve and others have "Cal 38spl+P". Could that be a determining factor on the two different cylinders?

Just wonderin'! Might as well get a better one for the same $$$.

Thank you!!!!!!
Dave

I suggest you go to Smith & Wesson's site on line. Look up the description and specs on the revolver. There will be all kinds of
posts to your concern here.
By going to the S&W official site you'll get your answer. Failing that, call S&W customer service.

 

[Dave Baird]

This gun is not listed in the catalog. Many calls have been made to S&W from this forum's members with only a few answers given. It's a gun of mysteries!!!