Smith Wessoon Model 360pd Scandium

[Rhetorician]

Hello all,

I purchased a Model 360pd Scandium/Titanium about a year ago. I bought it for a song from my local pawn emporium. I have had several issues, probably more with me than the gun? So I would like others of you to share your stories with the rest of us either good, bad, or ugly if you want to do so?

Now let me get my major grip on the table!!

1. I bought a Ruger LCR 357 with a tremendous nice, easy trigger BEFORE I bought the Smith.

2. I cannot him the broad side of the barn with it, even though I am a fair shot with my other belly guns out to 7 yards.

3. It has the Hi Viz sight, and I cannot get used to it.

4. I have had different stocks on it even one of those clip deals that lets you carry it Mexican style. This may attribute to my problem learning to shoot it.

5. So, I have gone back to the factory stocks and will practice with them until I learn how to shoot it.

6. Confession, I know that most of the issues are "operator error."

7. I was at one time so frustrated with shooting it that I even thought of selling or trading it off. I was offered $250 more that I paid for it.

I have run on and on I know. But chime in here at will, even some critique observations will be considered.

But I came to understand that all wheel gun men ought have a Smith J Frame. But I for the life of me cannot understand why the beloved gun maker cannot make a trigger equal to the Ruger? Not bashing! Just observing.

Chime in.

rd

 

[Ashlander]

I have a 360J (steel cylinder and chambered for .38 Special), so it's not quite as light as yours. Like you, I shoot my LCR.357 better.

At any rate, here's my theory. These ultra light guns start torquing like crazy the instant after the cartridge ignites. It takes a lot of effort and a strong hold to control the twisting recoil long enough for the bullet to get out of the barrel (and I am shooting just .38 Special -- .357 magnum would be far, far worse). If the gun had some weight the resting inertia would help, but 11.4 ounces is no weight at all (our LCR.357 revolvers are a bit more than 17 ounces -- about a third heavier).

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Alloy framed Js are a humbling experience for me as well. My advice is a lot of dry fire or snap cap practice.

 

[mini14jac]

I got the Hogue Tamer grip, has to be installed with a .38 casing.
It actually looks pretty good to me, for a larger grip.

I put one on my 642.
Most comfortable, controllable grip I've tried, and I've gone through several.

The light weight is probably what's screwing you up.
Also, try shooting from a bench with sandbags.

With my Airweights, or Airlights, I could shoot 6" groups from 12-15 feet in a defensive stance without much effort.

 

[scruffy]

I owned one 5 years ago, sold it after a few weeks and foolishly bought another (they are cool!) and sold it after a month. Other than the "cool" factor, I was not able to shoot more than one cylinder of .357 though it, all of which were more than mildly painful and none of which were anywhere near POA. Quick accurate follow up shots were just plain out of the question with .357 ammo. I thought the DA trigger pull on the 360 was terrible. Shooting .38 & .38+P was very tolerable and accurate for me to 7 yds. However, I already have a favorite daily carry no-lock 442 which is just as accurate and comfortable to shoot. The question kept nagging me as to why did I need this very expensive marvel of engineering in the first place.

I sold it and bought plain Jane production M60 2.125 barrel which is very accurate and can shoot .357 if I want without the PD360 level of pain. Also a snap to clean The PD 360's Ti cylinder and Scandium was a pain with the need for special cleaners etc (per 2 phone discussions with S&W techs) Sure, the little M60 is heavier, but I mostly AIWB carry so if I want to carry it that way the weight is not a big deal.

 

[Rhetorician]

Rhetorician Response

Hello all,

I purchased a Model 360pd Scandium/Titanium about a year ago. I bought it for a song from my local pawn emporium. I have had several issues, probably more with me than the gun? So I would like others of you to share your stories with the rest of us either good, bad, or ugly if you want to do so?

Now let me get my major grip on the table!!

1. I bought a Ruger LCR 357 with a tremendous nice, easy trigger BEFORE I bought the Smith.

2. I cannot him the broad side of the barn with it, even though I am a fair shot with my other belly guns out to 7 yards.

3. It has the Hi Viz sight, and I cannot get used to it.

4. I have had different stocks on it even one of those clip deals that lets you carry it Mexican style. This may attribute to my problem learning to shoot it.

5. So, I have gone back to the factory stocks and will practice with them until I learn how to shoot it.

6. Confession, I know that most of the issues are "operator error."

7. I was at one time so frustrated with shooting it that I even thought of selling or trading it off. I was offered $250 more that I paid for it.

I have run on and on I know. But chime in here at will, even some critique observations will be considered.

But I came to understand that all wheel gun men ought have a Smith J Frame. But I for the life of me cannot understand why the beloved gun maker cannot make a trigger equal to the Ruger? Not bashing! Just observing.

Chime in.

rd

Thanks guys,

It is good to know that there are folk out there that have the same issues as I had. I would get rid of the thing but know I would kick myself later, especially since I got it for such a good price; and as I said above everyone needs a J Frame of some ilk.

Keep them coming.

rd

 

[Mister X]

But I for the life of me cannot understand why the beloved gun maker cannot make a trigger equal to the Ruger? Not bashing! Just observing. rd

They could but it would make no sense to do so. It's an extremely light gun coupled with a stout trigger pull for a reason. These are close quarter self-defense pocket guns, not range toys. I for one would not want a light trigger on a weapon I routinely stick in my pocket. That being said, I've never had a problem with the DA trigger on S&W snubs. They are heavy(relative), but smooth and folks who complain about them are either trying to make the gun something it's not or are usually elderly and frail, very petite women or those who simply don't understand and never really learned how to properly pull a double action trigger.

 

[alexrex20]

Pocket snubbies are specialty guns, IMO. Many see them as beginner guns but that couldn't be further from the truth. It takes a lot of practice to shoot an airweight J well.