Scandium J Frames: Marketing Hype or Not?

[oneoff]

I know I had not seen any marketing when I traded for my M&P340 with the classic box of 45 shells!
But unlike the prior owner, I knew what I'd do with it if it proved it's worth, and it has. It's been a regular companion (usually a backup to another gun) for over a decade, and it's most certainly not for sale.
I bought a Ruger Super Blackhawk with a box of 44 shells some 3-4 decades ago in Alaska. It beheaded countless Ptarmigan, and took its share of large game, and was a very comforting companion for many years. The fact that the first owner didn't like the recoil, or could not shoot it accurately (no surprise!), most certainly does not mean that these niche guns are not up to a given job, and maybe then some.
Nor does all that mean that there's not marketing hype! Where there's marketing, there's usually a certain amount of that hype stuff.
I like my little Scandium gun for exactly what it is. I think S&W did a fine job on it.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I have a very limited imagination. I think that most people think like me, and are capable of making rational decisions pretty much on their own, although sometimes we can benefit from others' experience without paying the price.

I bought a 342PD when they first came out, and managed to make it work well for me for some purposes. Later, in my seventies, I couldn't, so I sold it.

Nowadays, I am slightly more recoil-sensitive, and a few guns lose accuracy and usefulness with certain cartridges. For me, the 342PD lost usefulness with all cartridges, at least as long as I had a SB 37 or a 40 to replace it. I do have a few.

I have no reason to doubt anyone who explains why a scandium Airlite is or is not a useful gun for himself or herself (?). Since I think that I am competent to make that determination, I think that others are, also.

 

[Data]

I really liked the old Uncle Mike's J Frame grips. It's too bad, that they stopped producing them. I now prefer the Hogue Bantam over the new S&W factory grips believe it or not. I do have large and very strong mitts, but I also have very good dexterity. I shoot very well them ... even the high-powered Federal C357B Load. Believe it or not, I have been known to hit 3"x5" cards @ 25 Yards in the single action mode and I did this with no modification to the trigger. I am no different from anyone else, but all I can say is that I had very good training instructors in the past. As for the 360 PD... it is a dream to carry. The weight is perfect as well as the size and mass. If I do shoot a high-powered .357 magnum load it's the 125 JHP. I have shot high-powered 158 gr. JHP by Federal, but that grain weight is absolutely brutal. It's like getting hit with a sledgehammer. I occasionally put them into the cylinder just to keep me humble and help build toughness. It's a character builder for sure. lol. Funny, but true.

 

[Mark8]

My favorite is the 360 Airweight. Enough mass to shoot .357Mag if need be, cylinder will last and is easy to clean, and it's still light enough to be carried all day in all kinds of holsters and pockets. Too bad they discontinued it. And let's be honest: The guy/gal shooting .357Mag from the 360PD could handle the additional 3 oz of the 360 Airweight ...

 

[Data]

I love the versatility of the .357 chambering. I do carry the high-powered 125 JHP's in the cyclinder, but it's also comforting to know that I can also run a full cylinder loaded with the 148 gr. Wadcutters as well.

 

[scruffy]

Good luck getting back on target quicky to make that follow up shot or shots. For that reason I go no lighter in a snub that fires .357 magnum than a steel M640 or M60. My lightweight J-frames are loaded with quality .38 +P defense loads.

 

[tjpopkin]

I agree with data on all points...
the advantage is very light weight for the many hours you may not need a defensive gun. However, I have little difficulty in hitting a bowling pin at 20 yds, multiple hits on a silhouette at 10-15 yds and find the gun manageable for 5-10 rounds.....I shoot 125 gr. ..357 magnums .
Also the detergent in not shooting it is the potential legal costs.
I do practice a bunch with 148gr. wadcutters, but I do the with my RM and Python as well.

 

[steelslaver]

I have 2 325s one with a TI cylinder. I can run through 60 rounds with it no problem. If you wasn't a big bore carry gun they fit the bill so do my 396 and 296. Summer time light weight clothes I just drop one of my 2 alloy J frame 32 mags in a pocket.

There is no need for a steel carry gun IMHO

 

[Data]

Everyone's pain tolerance is different; however, I can manage full house loads of .357 125gr. JHP @ 20-round box... 10 rounds left-handed and 10 rounds right-handed. I have tried the 158 grainers and they are absolutely brutal in the 360 PD... but I will shoot them on occasion for the sake of keeping me humble and keeping me tough. I call it character training in a nutshell. It never hurts to let oneself get their a** kicked every now and then. On the lighter side of things ... I will run the.38 special 148 gr. wadcutters. They give me a pain-free session, plus they are much faster on the follow-up shots and they are very accurate at 21 ft.

 

[hardluk1]

My wife is 67 years old and stands 5-2 yet she bought a s&w 360j non fluted cylinder and its now wearing hogue mono grip to make it useable with a 14.7oz weight.

Her daily carry is still a p365xl or kimber ultra 9mm .

 

[Data]

Believe it or not, the .357 Magnum full house load isn't as bad as you might think. Your mindset certainly plays a role. Professional training also plays a role. But then again, I am not your ordinary firearm owner. I am an equal shot when it comes to shooting accurately. If you take your training seriously (as I do), you might surprise yourself with what you're capable of. Stay safe and carry on!