Tell me about the 360

[Pote]

Any of you folks who have the 360 (357 mag model), tell me about it. Likes, dislikes, pros or cons. I've had the itch for something like this, but am not 100% sold. What steel framed jframe is its comparison? I'd like something with same size barrel and an exposed hammer. It would be for throwing in the front pocket so weight is what had me looking at the 360. Is there a jframe that is its equal in size and caliber in all steel that is blued as well? sorry for the multiple questions...was just handling the 360 at a LGS today. They had the discontinued non-night sight new for $595. I see that about the going rate online and could avoid shipping and transfer fees buying local.

I know there are other j snubbies but prefer the full underlug. Dang....all these diversions keeping me from buying a 29!!! argh. LOL thanks in advance.

 

[Pote]

no 360 owners??

 

[P&R Fan]

I don't think you will find a .357 Magnum similar to it with blued finish. The M60 is stainless and would be pretty much the same at about twice the weight.
I don't have a M360, but a M340PD has lived in my non-dominant side front pants pocket for over a year. I really like it, but it hurts to shoot with full power .357 loads, which is what I carry it loaded with.
That said, I'll bet it hurts a lot worse on the other side.
Jim

 

[pinkymingeo]

I have a 360PD, not the M&P. To me, the ounces are worth the price. I also have a 340PD. I thought, when I first got the 360, that I'd appreciate the versatility of the exposed hammer. What I discovered was that I don't shoot either very well, single or double action. The very light weight and very short sight plane make accurate shooting a pipe dream for me, anyway. Since the single action option didn't help me much I installed a 340 hammer in my 360, so it's now DAO. No snags. Recoil isn't too bad with +P or Speer 357 GDSB loads, but forget full-house 357. Pull the trigger on a full load once, you won't want to do it again. I shoot handloads, 125gr at 1000fps, and they're kind of fun, once you get used to them. I consider my PDs, and their cousins the M&Ps, to be last ditch, cornered like a rat defensive weapons. I practice hitting center mass at 5yd, which I'm pretty good at. Move the target back to ten yards and I embarrass myself in a hurry. My advice is to buy the 340 rather than the 360, use it for pocket carry, and stay away from the OK Corral.

 

[Pote]

thanks P&R. I should clarify my intents too. I carry my 1911s and recently my snubbie 627 all the time and am comfortable with it. Weight is a non issue there. What I find on occasion is the need for something quick and easy when I'm home for the weekend or have already put the carry rig up. (Many times I do not take off my rig until its time to go to bed but this is for those other times). I find I want to make a quick run to the store and am dressed down and would love a full power piece to throw in the shorts pocket without having to strap up my rig for a 2 minute trip...not saying I can't, just convenience. I know that full power 357 in an airweight will be stout, but I'd rather have it than not. So that thinking brought me to the 360. It wouldn't be for range but just a pocket-what-if powerhouse. I know there are other smaller lighter, choices and 38 spcl will do well, I just like having a manstopper at hand. Again, I know all the factors of shot placement is king, and practice and yadda...so was looking for some real world users of this gun as to quality, shootability, etc, over going the 60 route and going heavier. thanks again all.

 

[Pote]

I have a 360PD, not the M&P. To me, the ounces are worth the price. I also have a 340PD. I thought, when I first got the 360, that I'd appreciate the versatility of the exposed hammer. What I discovered was that I don't shoot either very well, single or double action. The very light weight and very short sight plane make accurate shooting a pipe dream for me, anyway. Since the single action option didn't help me much I installed a 340 hammer in my 360, so it's now DAO. No snags. Recoil isn't too bad with +P or Speer 357 GDSB loads, but forget full-house 357. Pull the trigger on a full load once, you won't want to do it again. I shoot handloads, 125gr at 1000fps, and they're kind of fun, once you get used to them. I consider my PDs, and their cousins the M&Ps, to be last ditch, cornered like a rat defensive weapons. I practice hitting center mass at 5yd, which I'm pretty good at. Move the target back to ten yards and I embarrass myself in a hurry. My advice is to buy the 340 rather than the 360, use it for pocket carry, and stay away from the OK Corral.

Great response...just what I was looking for. the exposed hammer is now a real thing to think about throwing it in the pocket. Also, your comments on caliber and shootability are valid...one of the reasons the night sight version seemed pointless as this is not a gun one will be sighting up if the shtf. Would you then consider the even less expensive 38 spcl model (same 360) to be even a wiser choice (at almost another $80-100 less)? I know 357 mag in one of these will be brutal, so is it overkill ?. keep the comments coming.

Edit to add: I guess I'm sort of being silly as I have this attachment to the 357 round. But if I would never want to fire one out of a 360....is it pointless????? For my purposes I stated in the previous post, should I even consider something else for pocket? You are right, this is the trip to video store cornered rat scenario. without getting into the caliber debate, I guess even a 380 could suffice as we all say, any gun is better than no gun. I like the 357 mag models because you can shoot both calibers....something about that says to me why not get it. Practice with 38 and defend with 357 even if my hand will thump like a drum. I'm so torn.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

It's not enough to have a man-stopping round loaded in your revolver. You also need to be able to hit something with it, and that generally requires practicing with your carry ammo. If shooting the 360 with hot Magnums really hurts your hand, affects your accuracy, and the recoil makes quick follow-up shots impossible, then you and the gun aren't going to be very effective at crunch time.

There's a reason S&W sells so many 642s and 442s - because .38sp+P from a 15-oz alloy revolver is snappy enough for most people. Use hotter ammo in a lighter gun, and the snap factor goes up quickly.

J-frame Magnum rounds are best delivered from a stainless steel 3" with full underlug. Even there they can be memorable.

 

[Pote]

It's not enough to have a man-stopping round loaded in your revolver. You also need to be able to hit something with it, and that generally requires practicing with your carry ammo. If shooting the 360 with hot Magnums really hurts your hand, affects your accuracy, and the recoil makes quick follow-up shots impossible, then you and the gun aren't going to be very effective at crunch time.

There's a reason S&W sells so many 642s and 442s - because .38sp+P from a 15-oz alloy revolver is snappy enough for most people. Use hotter ammo in a lighter gun, and the snap factor goes up quickly.

J-frame Magnum rounds are best delivered from a stainless steel 3" with full underlug. Even there they can be memorable.

Good points. So let me ask. Why do they put out such an animal? Who is shooting 357 mag out of these airweights? Is it a novelty gun? or are there serious shooters using them as designed? I 100% agree and practice what you say with all my handguns...practice with what you will use on the street. Sounds like its not a good thing in that 360. I've shot the 442 plenty, but its been a while. Yes the snappiness of just the 38 spcl is memorable. I should probably shoot one again to wake me up. LOL

 

[Macinaw]

I have a M&P 340 that I have only shot hand loads 38's and personal protection 38's. I purchased it because of the light weight for pocket carry. It is good to know that it can chamber 357 if that is all that is available.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I would say the main appeal of the 360/340 is the ultralight carry weight. You don't HAVE to load it with .357 for carry. Just consider the 360 a premium 637 that costs $500 extra and saves 4-oz of weight.

 

[captainjohnsofd]

I bought a 360 PD when they first came out. It has a standard red ramp front site. I fired a couple of cylinders full of 158 LSWC's in .357 Magnum and they were not all that bad. That was with oversize S&W rubber stocks. I settled on new magnas and a Tyler-T and use Buffalo Bore 158 LSWC's in the 38/44 load. They are peppy but fully controllable in rapid fire. Do some experimenting because there are many good .38 +P loads out there, such as Speer Gold Dot short barrel loads in both .38 and .357- very popular with NYPD and revolver users here in NJ.

 

[Old cop]

I recently picket up the 340 M&P, retiring my Colt Cobra & 442. I really like the weight and front sight, but you're right about accurcy much beyond 10 yds. That said I found the CorBon DPX 125 Gr. .357 for short barrel guns has about the same recoil as the +P FBI load. Neither is pleasant but that is not the purpose of this revolver.

 

[P&R Fan]

Good points. So let me ask. Why do they put out such an animal? Who is shooting 357 mag out of these airweights? Is it a novelty gun? or are there serious shooters using them as designed? I 100% agree and practice what you say with all my handguns...practice with what you will use on the street. Sounds like its not a good thing in that 360. I've shot the 442 plenty, but its been a while. Yes the snappiness of just the 38 spcl is memorable. I should probably shoot one again to wake me up. LOL

They put it out because people buy them. Some people can't handle them due to recoil. I have read stories of people buying M29 .44 Magnums after Dirty Harry came out. Shortly after they would sell it, and a box of ammo, with 44 rounds still in it.
I agree practice is important. My M340PD is always in my pocket, on my non-dominant side. I literally forget it's there. I replaced the rubber grip with Eagle Secret Service wood stocks. These make it easier to draw, but soak up even less recoil than the rubber ones. Every time I go to the range shoot it left handed only, as that is the side I carry it on. Yes, it hurts. Bad. But I don't pour hundreds of rounds through it that way. I do enough to keep myself grooved in. This is not a revolver I bought for the enjoyment of shooting. I bought it to save my life. If I ever have to use it for that, I doubt I'll even notice the recoil.
If you are interested in one of these I think you should get one. I'll never part with mine.
Jim

 

[Porterb123]

I have the 360pd. Shooting full power factory 158 gr loads in .357 feels like getting smacked in an open palm by a broom stick. It is not comfortable to shoot. .38 +p is not nearly as painful.
I bought it for the lack of weight and for the same reasons you mentioned above. An easy gun to just grab and stick in your pocket or waistband.
I carry a Commander size 1911 every day IWB and do dress around it. No need with the 360.

 

[mini14jac]

I had the non-nightsight 360 for about a year.
Really liked it.
Did not find the recoil with Hornady Critical Defense .357s to be unbearable, but never shot more than 2 or 3 cylinders full at a time.
Always ran some .38s through it too.

Why don't I have it anymore?
I decided I'd never get any better with a quick follow-up shot.
In single action mode it was a tack driver, but DA with .357s was not as accurate as I would have liked.
First shot was plenty accurate for self defense, but the rest of the shots not so much.
I had decided to carry .38s in it, but since it weighs the same as a 642 I decided to trade for one of those.

For a light weight, reasonable to control, reasonably priced .357, the 360 is hard to beat.

 

[ajzent]

Let me preface my comments with the caveat that I absolutely love my 360! It is with me more than any other weapon. Of course a box of heavy 357's will hurt, but for carry, for protection, I load with 2 or 3 38's and the rest 357's or vice versa. That way recoil is not anticipated or really that bad (not any worse than the bang). It does take some getting used to, but that is the case with all short barrel revolvers. At 7-10 yards it is a life-saver, and for that an ultimate carry weapon. Front pants pocket in a custom Mika holster (Mika's Pocket Holsters - Custom Made Pocket Holsters, Waistband Holsters, Vest Holsters, Tactical Pocket Mirrors And Much More.) for years and a proven good choice all around, highly recommended!