S&W 360 Scandium .357 "Kit Gun"

D

DougB

New member
I realize that there have been some problems and dissatisfaction with the Scandium and Titanium revolvers, but I went ahead and ordered this pistol anyway. It is a J-frame, 5-shot, 14.5 oz, model with a 3 1/8" barrel and adjustable sights. I plan to carry it backpacking, stream fishing, etc. I expect recoil with magnum loads to be very sharp (I've shot light .357s before - though not quite this light).

What ammo would you recommend for self-defense against bear, mountain lion, etc? What would be a good (lighter) practice/plinking/small game load that will shoot to similar point of aim? Holster recommendations (for a light, secure belt holster? Thoughts on the CrimsonTrace laser grips for this model (looks like fun, and might be useful in the shade/evening when it would be difficult to see sights)? Other suggestions (which I hope won't include "cancel the order")? Thanks.

Doug
 
Greeting's Doug B,

My friend I hate to be the one to pass along bad
news; but NO handgun caliber is adequate
for one shot stops on the big bears or mountain
lions.:eek: Recently, a friend was hunting in the
Oregon forest and came upon an angry cougar.
The cougar took six shot's of .357 magnum's to
his mid section, and was still able to launch some
what of an attack!:( I'm not sure what load he was
using; but I believe the gun was a Smith & Wesson
627PC model?

Best advice I could give, would be to carry the largest
caliber that you can control; and place your shot's
to a vital area. Caliber's that come to mind, would
be not smaller than the .44 Remington magnum;
up to and including the .480 Ruger. Most satisfying
probably would be the .45 LC using heavy handloads.


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
If you are staying with the 357 Magnum, for your purpose the very heaviest bullets will make more of an impression on a dangerous animal. 200 grain or 158 at least. JMHO
 
I get similar points of impact from my 3" .357 when I stick to similar bullet weights. 125 grain .357's and 125 grain .38's seem to hit in the same group at 25 yards. I would expect 158's to do the same. If it were me, I think I would sight in with 158 grain .357's and use a similar weight .38 for plinking.
 
Thanks for the comments. I was thinking that the 158 gr loads would be best for penetration on large animals, although I understand that the 125 gr hollow-point load is very popular for self-defense against humans. That will be great if cheap 158 gr .38 special loads shoot close to the same point of impact.

Regarding the adequacy (or lack thereof) of the .357 for bear and lion protection, I've read about a thousand opinions on "bear guns" and have decided that this is the best compromise for my purposes. The chances of me needing to shoot a bear are remote, and if if I do, it'll be a California black bear. I know a .44 (or a rifle) would be better, but I'm looking for something light and easy to carry. I think a .357 in the head of a black bear at close range will likely be just as fatal as a .44 in the head. The larger caliber would certainly be better for other shots - but then, even a .44 or .454 is probably marginal for non-head shots in a defensive situation.

This M360 should be very easy to carry, require little care, work well with snake loads (rattlesnakes are common some places I fish) and be pretty easy to shoot accurately (decent sights, slightly longer barrel, and single-action trigger). I think it'll fill the bill for me - at least until I find my next pefect gun for this purpose. :)

Doug
 
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