.38 vs. .357

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DarthTedd

New member
I'm picking up a Taurus Model 608 this next week after I get my permit (it's the .38/.357 model). Can all .357 shot .38 caliber?

I know, it's a dumb question.
 
yes they can. All a .357 magnum is is a .38 special with a 1/8th longer (and hence A LOT more powerful) cartridge. Any .357 gun hand handle any factory .38 special cartridge.
In fact, most people that shoot a .357 practice 75% of the time with some kind of .38 special and carry .357 magnum (or if they don't like all the recoil behind a magnum, they carry an effective .38 Special round.)
 
No offense intended, but if you know it's a dumb question, why not use the search function...and not ask a dumb question?

Just a (dumb) question
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Cause I'm a post whore and wanna get my count up. :P I guess I could have done that on a thread I searched for. Oh well.
 
Dumb Question

I am a retired teacher. There are no dumb questions. A dumb person does not ask questions. Asking questions is an indication of someone with intellectual curiosity. A very unpleasant person is someone who is inpolite to someone who is asking basic questions.

Regards,
dahermit
 
No such thing as dumb questions

No such thing as a dumb question.Especially when asking about safety.
The idea is to exchange information about shooting sports.
Great Question
 
I know some folks that carry .38+P in their .357 especially if it's one of the lightweight models due to the magnum recoil. A .357 pistol gives you a lot of flexibility.
 
Even in my heavy .357 Mag., SP101 I carry .38 +P's. But yea, when it comes to a safety question like that it never hurts to ask, however it might hurt if you don't ask.
 
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Not all of us are gun gurus and know everything there is about guns, although there are a few that think they do. For the rest of us, ask all the questions you want, how else are you or anybody else going to learn. For every question you ask that you think might is dumb there are probably 5 other people that are wondering the samething and are afraid to ask.
Now for your question, yes you can shoot 38 special rounds through your 357, as a matter of fact I highly suggest you do so for practice. They are much cheaper and less recoil than the magnums. It is still a good idea to shoot the magnums some especially if you are going to depend on the magnums for personal protection.
 
Yes, the Taurus M617 is a great CCW gun. I'm still kicking myself for trading mine in, but I'm happy with my Ruger SP101. Only downside is, compared to the 617, I'm down by two shots with my Ruger.
 
I had a 607 (predecessor to the 608...7 rounds rather then 8). Cool gun but I never shot it much. It was one of those "I gotta have one!" type guns.
I sold it to a coworker who uses it for what it is best suited...hunting small game.
Mine had a 6" barrel. If it had been a snubber or a 4" barrel, I'd of probably kept it for a house gun.
If you're not going to use that big 608 for hunting, you may want to consider the 627 Tracker in stainless steel. This revolver holds 7 rounds and shoots like a dream.
 
Darth, it would be a very good idea to get some 38 special standard loads to shoot in your 357. The lighter recoil will allow you to get used to the trigger and practice your form much easier than 357 magnum loads. If you can find them, buy some wadcutters. They are designed for target shooting and are loaded very mild. Work your way up from there. Just make sure you clean the chambers on your cylinder as they will get dirtier than they will if you stick to the 357 round.
 
Now for your question, yes you can shoot 38 special rounds through your 357, as a matter of fact I highly suggest you do so for practice. They are much cheaper and less recoil than the magnums. It is still a good idea to shoot the magnums some especially if you are going to depend on the magnums for personal protection.
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Darth, it would be a very good idea to get some 38 special standard loads to shoot in your 357. The lighter recoil will allow you to get used to the trigger and practice your form much easier than 357 magnum loads. If you can find them, buy some wadcutters. They are designed for target shooting and are loaded very mild. Work your way up from there. Just make sure you clean the chambers on your cylinder as they will get dirtier than they will if you stick to the 357 round.
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Thanks for the advice. I actually got some .38 special rounds and .357 rounds at Dick's a few days ago. I can't wait to go pick up w/ the 608.

Try here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_handgun_cartridges

This doesn't show ALL cartridges, for example, the .45 colt is conspicuous by its absence. It does manage to get a fairly representative showing, however.
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Wow, that's a ton of info. I like the pictures showing the difference in rounds.
 
I have a 617SS and i love it. I put it in my pocket when i walk my lab. Talk to the neighbors all the time and they have no clue i have it in my pocket. I live in a developlment and we all have 3 acre lots, I walk in back of the development to work my dog and have run into some interesting critters back there. I did get a coyote with it a year ago. Oh yeah the hood was happy i shot it.
 
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