S&W M360J w/Scandium frame

[357magster]

Howdy folks,

Looking for opinions on this one ...

My LGS just listed a new Smith & Wesson M360J .38spl+P with Scandium frame. They say it is a small, special run and could one day be a collector's item.

$399. Worth getting? Hard to imagine any current run S&W revolver being collectible. I assume it has the much reviled IL ...

 

[bountyhunter]

Howdy folks,

Looking for opinions on this one ...

My LGS just listed a new Smith & Wesson M360J .38spl+P with Scandium frame. And I quote ...

"This is a non-catalogued, special run and limited production revolver that weighs only 13.3 oz. It is priced similarly to the alloy frame models that weigh more. The 360J includes a more comfortable grip and low profile barrel. We were able to get only a very small quantity. This could be destined to be somewhat of a collector's item. You never know for sure."

$399. Worth getting? Hard to imagine any current run S&W revolver being collectible. I assume it has the much reviled IL ...

"It is priced similarly to the alloy frame models that weigh more."

???????????

If it is a scandium gun, then it is an alloy frame. Scandium is what they add to the aluminum to increase it's strength so it's an aluminum frame.

I also have no idea what a "low profile" barrel is since the location of the barrel is wherever it is on a J frame, don't know how they could lower the barrel? From the picture it looks like maybe they machined some metal off the barrel so maybe that reduced the weight slightly?

It's an OK gun for a carry piece if that's what you want.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

If you're looking for a hideout gun it's excellent. If you think you're going to shoot it a lot you won't - shot a little, carried a lot is the key to these lightweight J frames. If it's something you need to add to your collection, that's cool, too. It's just a lighter weight alloy, some folks love them, but they're hard to shoot, very hard to shoot well and why bother, it's not worth the range time, but for a disappearing weapon they're way up there in the near perfect department.

 

[bountyhunter]

Howdy folks,

Looking for opinions on this one ...

My LGS just listed a new Smith & Wesson M360J .38spl+P with Scandium frame. //////

$399. Worth getting? Hard to imagine any current run S&W revolver being collectible. I assume it has the much reviled IL ...

This posting shows one NIB for $559 so the $399 price sounds pretty good if it's a gun you want.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/933186395/Smith-Wesson-model-360J-38-Special-P-Revolver-New.htm

 

[cleans up]

399 is about the going rate, or a decent deal in my book. I think that's what buds and other big online retailer sell them for. I highly doubt it'll be a collectors item, but like most J frames it'll be a great gun to have. Assuming your looking for a light carry piece go for it.

 

[MarkAlt]

I'm only guessing here, but possibly contract overruns? There are several threads on this model.

Nothing wrong with these. I'm enjoying mine. The combat grips cover the lanyard hole in the guns butt.

For a look at some cool grips, search: S&W M360J

Front sight is pinned. Maybe add a big dot?

I don't count on mine becoming collectible any time soon, but certainly a nice Scandium Alloy j-frame at a good price.

 

[pittpa]

Mongo like scandium. I would.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Looking for opinions on this one ... $399. Worth getting?

Your LGS's description is not very accurate. The price is (+/-) $20 of the ones around here. It's a good gun for the price.

Take a look at this recent thread for more info:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/466490-360-360j-same-different.html

.

 

[gnystrom]

An excellent gun at a great price. Not a range gun, but a great "I'm going out for a walk" gun.

 

[WC145]

Well, considering I paid $409 for my 360J from Bud's back in 2008 (the first run of them) I'd say that $399 in 2016 is a heck of a deal on a great little gun. I'd take it over any other current production exposed hammer .38spl J frame just because it's stronger than any of the others, it uses the same frame as the .357mag M&P360.

 

[Pete from Perth]

Fit a pair of Hoque Bantems to it and it will be invisible!

 

[OLDSTER]

360J

I highly recommend this gun. Of my 4 snubbies, this is my favorite, and my carry. As posted above, there are several threads dedicated to this interesting and in some ways "enigmatic" revolver

 

[Tristdunn]

Has anyone verified the weight on their 360J? As is from the factory, mine weighs 14.7oz instead of the advertised 13.3oz on a calibrated scale. Inside the yoke the model is M360J. I'm starting to wonder if it's really the scandium frame.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I'm starting to wonder if it's really the scandium frame.

I can't quote the weight, at this moment, of my son's 360J but they are Sc framed. If it wasn't it'd be heavier. If it had a Ti cylinder, instead of a carbon steel cylinder, it'd be lighter.

.

 

[Fchewy]

The cylinder is where the weight difference comes in at, also put a set of Hogue Bantums on it and it will drop it an ounce.

 

[4Given]

Anymore input on the verifiable weight of the 360J?

I'm hoping to make a move soon on one and the actual weight will solidify my decision.

Thanks!

 

[Fchewy]

Mine weighed the same out of the box....14.7

 

[murphydog]

Anymore input on the verifiable weight of the 360J?

I'm hoping to make a move soon on one and the actual weight will solidify my decision.

Thanks!

I don't think a 1-2 ounce difference between a Sc J frame and a standard aluminum alloy version has any practical effect. If you notice the extra weight in carrying, just load three rounds in the heavier gun and you are good to go.

 

[tom 45]

I'm getting 14.7.
To compare I measured my 637... 14.7 also.

 

[lacon]

A local store ran these on sale earlier this year & I bought a couple. I too wondered about the frame alloy since it does not bare the scandium "atom" symbol. If it's true that these were Japanese LE contract overruns as rumored elsewhere, then my thought is that the symbol may have been omitted out of political correctness (?) I looked a bit & found a photo of one with the lanyard ring & grips. Did not find a source though.

 

[CQB60]

I just bought a second M360J. Found it NiB at a rural dealer for $449 OTD. Impressive little heater that puts the "Easy" in EDC. So light, I forget I have it sometimes

 

[adwjc]

Howdy folks,

Looking for opinions on this one ...

My LGS just listed a new Smith & Wesson M360J .38spl+P with Scandium frame. They say it is a small, special run and could one day be a collector's item.

$399. Worth getting? Hard to imagine any current run S&W revolver being collectible. I assume it has the much reviled IL ...

Every scandium framed gun I have seen was marked "Airlight" instead of "Airweight," and they had the "atomic" scandium symbol. They also had titanium cylinders.

The picture you posted looks like a regular Airweight.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Every scandium framed gun I have seen
- was marked "Airlight" instead of "Airweight," and
- they had the "atomic" scandium symbol.
- They also had titanium cylinders.

Many other Sc framed revolvers don't have either marking, the "atomic" symbol, or a Ti cylinder: Night Guards, 325TRs, 327TRR8, etc.

.

 

[rich5674]

360J I Highly Recomend It

I think the 360 is a bargain at $399. My opinion is that J frames are harder to shoot well than larger revolvers but are accurate enough for their intended purpose. The beauty of 38spl is the variety of ammo. If recoil is a problem full wadcutter loads are a good option for defense or practice. I've found 158+P to be hot but accurate and controllable for 5 rnds@21ft. Typically I shoot about 3-4 cylinders of different loads every other week. After a few sessions I've decided that for home protection I'll be using the wad cutter loads. For CC it will be +P. One other thing I like about this gun. I can put it in my pajama pocket, it doesnt pull my pants down. Comes handy when answering a morning or evening door bell! Not so much my M60.
PS. the +-14oz weight is perfect for me. Lighter, recoil would be a problem, heavier would be not as easy to carry

 

[Hasbeen1945]

I'm a little confused. My 360 J is a 357 with a SS cylinder.

 

[Old cop]

I have the no lock M&P340 and at 13.5 ozs is an easy carry; the big dot front sight is a real plus.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I'm a little confused. My 360 J is a 357 with a SS cylinder.

I know, S&W made things more confusing when they recently added the 360J, 357 Magnum, 2-Tone version, SKU# 11713, to their inventory. The original ones are 38 Special +P, SKU# 160360.

.

360J, 2-Tone, 357 Mag, w/Badger grips

(-01b)

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[blfuller]

Don't the Scandium frames typically have a SCA at the start of their serial numbers? At least my .357 360SC does anyway.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Apparently the early ones did, from what you indicate, but they would have gotten used up a long time ago. Typically they just get regular sequence SN#s unless they're a special run.

The 2-Tone 360J 357 Magnum appears to be a special order item by Davidson Distribution from S&W. My SN# is DDB54xx. Coincidence? Sometimes they do use unique letter combinations that relate to the distributor, or the model, if they're available.

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