Would you load a Scandium J-Frame with .357 Magnum rounds??

[Quattro15]

I've not shot magnum rounds through my 360PD as I've heard the ballistics isn't much better than .38 Special +P rounds through such a short barrel.

Would anyone here ever load .357mag rounds in such a light little revo?

If you would do this please explain why.

Thanks!!

 

[Iggy]

I wouldn't. I don't think the additional velocity is worth the difficulty of accurate follow up rounds.

I like the additional weight and control of steel guns.

YMMV

 

[Derek Enslen]

I would and it would be the medium velocity rounds. I figure that the size cuts down the effectiveness of both round, however full house rounds I think would be beyond the relm of possibility for follow up shots. The speer medium velocity seems sort of light, and i think buffalo bore has some pretty hot medium velocity 357 loads too.
cheers
Derek

 

[perpster]

I do every day. For EDC I have Speer GDHP SB (Short Barrel) rounds specifically developed for snubby use. There is a velocity and energy benefit over .38 Special +P while to me no signficant perceived additional recoil.

 

[Idahoser]

If I could manage it at the range without too much effort, I would. I got rid of a Kel-Tec P40 because the effort to keep a grip on it, allowing it to cycle, was something I didn't trust myself to do in a stressful situation. A revolver shouldn't fail to function if I 'limp wrist' it but followup shots and broken wrists are not going to be conducive to good shooting. I think it's great they made them strong enough for magnums but that doesn't mean that's what it's good for. If an Airweight is a handful with .38 +P then an even lighter revolver isn't going to be any easier to shoot with the same load, much less a more powerful one. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

It's like the .44 Mag Mountain Gun. It's a terrific .44 Special that could handle magnums if you wanted it to.

 

[Wayne M]

If due to some unforseen circumstance I needed to be shooting and could only find 357 mags at THAT MOMENT that's what I'd use. Always nice to be able to use either round due to supply problems. Kind of a "What if" thought!

 

[colt_saa]

Absolutely.

Obviously a scandium 357 is not for the recoil timid. Most shooters can handle it, even the ones that fear it.

There is a velocity gain of several hundred feet per second depending on the ammunition used.

All of my 357 Magnum J-frames have been carrying the 180 grain Winchester Ranger SXTs since they first came out. These were discontinued a few years back and my supply is running low so I will transition to the 140 grain Hornady Custom XTP.

In a life threatening situation, I want the power of a 357 Magnum.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

Originally posted by Idahoser:
...
Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

It's like the .44 Mag Mountain Gun. It's a terrific .44 Special that could handle magnums if you wanted it to.

and from Moondawg-
"only once..."

Both of them are exactly correct.
After lots of experimentation, I carry the 135 +P.
For practice, I use light handloads or the 130 gr fmj. Or even my 317, cheap and fun; doesn't teach recoil control but fine for sight picture and trigger control.

 

[MakeMineaMagnum]

I would - but I'd wear a shooting glove.

 

[The Maxo]

Fired from the same barrel a 357 Magnum will have a substantial edge over a 38 Special regardless of the barrel length. The real question here is whether or not you can tolerate the recoil of the 357 and still shoot with reasonable accuracy in such a small and light revolver. I shoot my 357 Mags from a six inch N frame where recoil is not a big issue.

 

[Indiana George]

Originally posted by Quattro15:
"I've not shot magnum rounds through my 360PD..."

I did . . . . . ONCE!

 

[hikerbum]

Would anyone here ever load .357mag rounds in such a light little revo?

Not on purpose.

 

[Centenniel]

I fired a 50 round qualifying course with full-house 158 grain 357s in a scandium J-Frame. It was not a pleasant experience. I won't do it again.

 

[Dragracer Art]

The 360 is the only handgun in 20 years of shooting, that has made me bleed.

The recoil drove the trigger guard into my knuckle and made me bleed.

With mellow .38's it's no big deal, but with fullhouse .357's, it's downright brutal to hang on to.

 

[ENH]

I shoot the occasional 357 135 Gold Dots but would not shoot many with out the Mag Na porting. I stick to the 38 +P's.

 

[pred]

I have a 340 SC 357. IT IS NOT a range gun, Not a toy, and yes I do shoot 357s out of it, The gent who owned it before me shot 5 rounds through it, Said the recoil was too much, Sent it out to be Magnaported, Shot 5 more rounds, and sold it to me cheap,
The magnaporting does wonders with muzzle flip so follow up is pretty quick, No trigger guard smacking me around,,, Recoil hurts still, I dont shoot it very often, And hopefully will never need to.
CCW with 357 HPs

 

[revjross]

I recently purchased a M&P 360. I like to carry my first 3 shots 38+p and then a couple of 357mag just in case the 38s didn't do the job. When I go to the range I shoot 38sp most of the outing, then a few 38+p, and then just a couple of 357mag. Yes the 357 is a handful, but holding the grip high, firmly, and squeezing the trigger with the second section of my index finger and not the tip of my finger seems to do the trick. -- I like having options.

 

[lafayne]

I would, but I wouldn't shoot it. .38+p were all I wanted and I don't have the scandium frame .38's anymore. Great to carry - not fun the shoot.

 

[JayDubya]

Load five .357s and fire. You will have your answer.
Cordially (but shaking my head), Jack

 

[SAWBONES]

Done it.
I have two 340PDs. I've shot lots of premium factory .357 Magnum 125gr JHP rounds through both, and I had fairly poor accuracy and precision compared to certain .38 Special+P loads, notably the Gold Dot 135gr+P JHP "short barrel" load.
Shooting these flyweight guns with full power .357 loads wasn't much fun, but the main issue was poor accuracy and precision.
I recommend the above .38 Special Gold Dot load in these lightweight little guns, and that's what I carry.

 

[Andy Engemann]

Yes...the recoil is tough, but manageable. I use Winchester Silvertips because they seem better suited my particular gun. Very little muzzle flash in comparison to other factory loads. The lighter weight bullet (145 grain?)cuts back the recoil when compared to 158 and 180 grain rounds. Despite this, shooting 5 rounds at panic speed will make your hand sore for several days. Feels like your bones are being chipped after about the third round.

Despite my complaints, it is my favorite carry gun due to light weight and power potential. I have found the weapon to be just as accurate as all other S&W revolvers. Shooting full power loads will cause even veteran shooters to flinch.

Andy

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by Quattro15:
I've not shot magnum rounds through my 360PD as I've heard the ballistics isn't much better than .38 Special +P rounds through such a short barrel.

Would anyone here ever load .357mag rounds in such a light little revo?

If you would do this please explain why.

Thanks!!

NO!

 

[sprscientist]

I shot one cyinder full of Speer 158 grn gold dot .357 though my 60-9, and it sucked. I could not get reasonable follow up shots, and I'll be sticking with .38's out of the J frame. According to many case studies by our own member Erich, stopping power of .38's out of a J frame is real good.

 

[animalmother]

No, I would not load one with 357 rounds. Instead, I would practice with +P 38 Special and carry with a +P+ 38 Special.

 

[Sprefix]

shawn mccarver My M&P 360 is carried with 125 grain Gold Dots{.357 Magnum} and actually chrono'd 1200FPS!!!!! A handful, but manageable. The 140 grain Lever-Evolution clocked 1150FPS!!!!! Oh Baby!!!! This isn't fun,but it is do-able. My question to you would be why would you buy a .357 Magnum J-frame and not want to shoot Magnum loads through it? Have you put this gun and the perspective loads on paper? I have and the light loads shoot LOW. The Heavy loads shoot to point of aim for me at 15YDS. Just curious......S-prefix

 

[Careby]

With the stock bantam grips, or boot grips, shooting .357 gold dots in my M&P 340, my trigger finger gets badly battered by the trigger guard. With longer grips like the monogrip or UM combat grips my little finger is able to keep the gun from rotating up and gives me a lot more control. So for me it is a choice between a little less concealability with the longer grips or a little less power with +P rounds.

 

[tom turner]

LOGIC, HUMOR, AND HUMAN NATURE . . .

Personally, I see no reason for S&W to even make those things . . . other than they make fine "collectables" and conversation starters . . . good "safe queen" virgins.

However, it is NOT a well-conceived product for the true purposes of making a perfect gun for a situation.

Sure, it's size makes it an excellent pocket gun. Then again, so is an Airweight at 5 oz.more.


THE PERFECT USES OF J-FRAMES . . .

--IMHO, the 15 ounce AIRWEIGHT is fine for pocket carry, and a perfect pocket carry "border line" for a "stout" .38 Special, non +P load!

--And a STEEL frame J-frame is a perfect "border line" pocket carry revolver for a .38 +P load . . . yet too heavy for true conceal ability at all times.

--A ten ounce AIRLITE J-frame (empty)? A perfect "border line" revolver for a .32S&W load fer folks a little "light" in the britches.



MORE CONCEALABLE STILL?
A ten ounce handgun is great for putting in the pocket of a pair of gym shorts with a stretch waistban, or a jock strap or a bra.

However, my wife will notice the huge bulge in my jock strap if I try to conceal a J-frame in there too!

I might fool her though, with little plastic 10oz. Keltec P-32!

Humorously yours,

T.

PS: Feel free to continue the Airlite + .357 Magnum debate. POPCORN ANYONE?

 

[rz625-8]

I have a J-frame scanduim revolver in .357 with a titanuim cylinder. Thats why the recoil is horrendes because it is to damn light. I also have the newest one with the steel cylinder and it is a not to bad recoil but, you best have a strong grip hand though. And my other one is the 386 nightguard series 7 shot scand with steel cylinder. Now thas a fun gun to shoot .357 out of compared to my other 2 scand. revolvers. But otherwise,I will stick to the steel guns for .357 shooting. rz625-8

 

[snowman.45]

I have. It wasn't pleasant. I installed a stainless cylinder, and it helped a bit. I was using the GDHP SB 135 gr. loads in .357 mag.

 

[Pitdog02]

Ive had my 340pd for a year now. Ive shot nothing but 158gr 357 with the CT 305 grips. I can now shoot all 5 rds at 12yrds 5inch group or less in 10 secs or less. So I have to assume when you say follow up shots you mean you dont want to execute one. I understand this is not for everyone but you can become very proficient with this combo if you are so inclined. This is my every day carry combo and I feel comfy with it. Ive said it before you gotta get a little mean when you shoot one of these.