Any problems firing .38 spl in .357?
- Thread starter schwerpunkt
- Start date
seeker_two
New member
You've already touched on one of the advantages to using the .357Mag--loading magnum-power loads in .38SPL cases. Many a LEO limited to .38SPL ammo by their administrators did this back in the pre-"Wondernine" days... 
Study the reloading manuals carefully before loading your own. And make sure to use a firm crimp & some type of sealant (clear nail polish works well) on the case mouth & primer.
Sorry your gov't doesn't trust you w/ defending your own life. And it seems to be spreading here, too...
Study the reloading manuals carefully before loading your own. And make sure to use a firm crimp & some type of sealant (clear nail polish works well) on the case mouth & primer.
Sorry your gov't doesn't trust you w/ defending your own life. And it seems to be spreading here, too...
The 4" .357 is a fine gun, good choice.
Load with .38 +p if those are allowed.
I think this choice is best for him because he's talking about roaming the jungle as well, where the .357 would be able to be used and be used against attackers with more than two legs as well. .380s tend not to work well on 4-legged attackers.
Then there's the factors of the weight of the gun reducing recoil, and the fact that a gun built for .357s will basically never wear out shooting mostl .38s.
I wouldn't mess with ad hoc reloads, just buy .38 +p.
The accuracy difference really won't matter. .38s out of a .357 aren't THAT much less accurate, and fast-happening gunfights also tend to be close gunfights.
That's just my take on many, many years of .357 use.
Load with .38 +p if those are allowed.
I think this choice is best for him because he's talking about roaming the jungle as well, where the .357 would be able to be used and be used against attackers with more than two legs as well. .380s tend not to work well on 4-legged attackers.
Then there's the factors of the weight of the gun reducing recoil, and the fact that a gun built for .357s will basically never wear out shooting mostl .38s.
I wouldn't mess with ad hoc reloads, just buy .38 +p.
The accuracy difference really won't matter. .38s out of a .357 aren't THAT much less accurate, and fast-happening gunfights also tend to be close gunfights.
That's just my take on many, many years of .357 use.
dairycreek
New member
Dear schwerpunkt
Welcome to TFL. I hope you get the answers here you are looking for. As to firing 38 special rounds in a 357 there is no problem. However, there is one thing you should look at. Because the 38 special round is somewhat shorter than the 357 there is some tendency for "stuff" to build up near the end of the cylinder. Make sure it does not build up excessively. Keep the gun clean and, as I said, there should be no problems. Good shooting
Welcome to TFL. I hope you get the answers here you are looking for. As to firing 38 special rounds in a 357 there is no problem. However, there is one thing you should look at. Because the 38 special round is somewhat shorter than the 357 there is some tendency for "stuff" to build up near the end of the cylinder. Make sure it does not build up excessively. Keep the gun clean and, as I said, there should be no problems. Good shooting
schwerpunkt
Inactive
Thanks for all replies so far...
You guys are a mine of info.
Well, the .357 magnum I was after has been sold. It was a Taurus which seemed to be the same size as a S&W model 10. It had a 3 1/2" or 4" barrel. I'll have a look around for another one but at the moment there is a nice S&W model 10 .38 SPL with 4" barrel for sale and I really like it.
The Taurus .357 seemed to fit my hand better than the S&W although maybe it was the weight factor because they seem to be pretty alike. Anyway, if nothing comes up in .357 I'll go for the .38.
Someone was wondering why I'd bother with .357. The Amazon is a whole different ballgame than the capital city. In fact, it might as well be a different country and it's fairly lawless. No-one could really care less if I'm using .38 SPL or .357 ammo there so I'd use .357 there. It'd also be fun to use .357 for target shooting every now and then just for kicks aside from the fact that I could use whatever .38 Special load safely without worrying about wearing out the gun. This seems to be an issue, according to some posters.
I'll find out what sort of ammo I can get here in .38, and ask you guys what is the best out of the selection I have available. It's much more limited than what you get in the States...
Thanks for all the advice.
Greg
You guys are a mine of info.
Well, the .357 magnum I was after has been sold. It was a Taurus which seemed to be the same size as a S&W model 10. It had a 3 1/2" or 4" barrel. I'll have a look around for another one but at the moment there is a nice S&W model 10 .38 SPL with 4" barrel for sale and I really like it.
The Taurus .357 seemed to fit my hand better than the S&W although maybe it was the weight factor because they seem to be pretty alike. Anyway, if nothing comes up in .357 I'll go for the .38.
Someone was wondering why I'd bother with .357. The Amazon is a whole different ballgame than the capital city. In fact, it might as well be a different country and it's fairly lawless. No-one could really care less if I'm using .38 SPL or .357 ammo there so I'd use .357 there. It'd also be fun to use .357 for target shooting every now and then just for kicks aside from the fact that I could use whatever .38 Special load safely without worrying about wearing out the gun. This seems to be an issue, according to some posters.
I'll find out what sort of ammo I can get here in .38, and ask you guys what is the best out of the selection I have available. It's much more limited than what you get in the States...
Thanks for all the advice.
Greg
Schwerpnkt,
While I understand your concern about knock down power, the right 38+p (or +p+) ammo can handle most any job "human wise" you would likely find yourself in.
The S&W M10 should be a really fine carry gun (if you check it out well before you buy). Anyway you never know, if you are carrying a 357 (with 38s) in the city, who is to say some over zealous prosecutor won't try to hang you anyway? And as far as the jungle goes, practice wins the war, not the caliber at hand.
JM.02$ K
While I understand your concern about knock down power, the right 38+p (or +p+) ammo can handle most any job "human wise" you would likely find yourself in.
The S&W M10 should be a really fine carry gun (if you check it out well before you buy). Anyway you never know, if you are carrying a 357 (with 38s) in the city, who is to say some over zealous prosecutor won't try to hang you anyway? And as far as the jungle goes, practice wins the war, not the caliber at hand.
JM.02$ K