357 K-Frame Question ...

D

DoItRight

New member
To the Group -

I have a K-22 Masterpiece (circa 1957) that I enjoy quite a bit. I am now looking to add another wheelgun to my collection and I need some info.

Specifically, I'd like to know:

1) What is the .357 magnum that is most closely similar to my K-22? Smith fans know what a sweet gun the K-22 is and I am looking for something with similar feel/accuracy. I would prefer something in a 4" barrel. (And it does not necessarily have to a "modern" gun. Based on my experience with the K-22, old-school definitely works for me!)

2) I know that the .357 will also accept the .38 round. Will it also accept a .380 round?

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

- DIR
 
The closest 6" is the M19 or M66 stainless. NO a 380 will NOT fit and function in a revolver. The 357 Magnum and 38 Special both fit and function in a 357 Magnum chambered revolver. They both have rims, 357 bullets and similar diameter cases.
 
Model 19 or Model 66 will be almost identical to your other revolver, and going along with Sir William, use 38 Special or 357 Mag, do not use 380!
 
Since you have a pre-17 K-22 Masterpiece, you should track down a pre-19 .357 Combat Magnum. It's the right thing to do. :cool:
 
Model 19-3 or 19-4 will mimic the K22 in overall feel.

A K- 38 Masterpiece would be more of a 1 to 1 albeit, in .38spl not .38/.357Mag like the Model 19.

The current round butt K frames, such as the Model 66, do not feel the same, plus you can almost get 2 older 19's for the same price as a new 66.

A .380 uses a rimless case .374 in in dia. and a bullet .355 in in dia.
A .38/.357Mag uses a rimmed case .379 in in dia. and a bullet .357 in in dia.
The rimless .380 headspaces on the case mouth, whereas the rimmed .38/.357 headspaces on the rim. Dropping a rimless .380 into the chamber and pulling the trigger may or may not fire the round, since there isn't anything to stop the firing pin from driving the entire round, case and all, foreward.

A worst case scenerio would be a split case on the .380 (which is kind of doubtfull - the .380 brass is quite strong).

Most of the people that have fired a .380 out of a .38/.357 report the same things:
- Poor accuracy because the bullet is undersized.
- Lots of soot on the outside of the case - which indicates a poor seal between the case and the chamber walls

Still ,with all the anti gun sentiment, using a cartridge not designed for the gun is a dumb idea. Plus .380 ammo itself is more expensive than .38spl. Boils down to being no good reason to even try it.
 
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