Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 18
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Hanover, Pennsylvania
    (York County)
    Posts
    293
    Rep Power
    1974454

    Default Best .38 sp to shoot through a .357 revolver?

    I have S&W 340 PD, the little lightweight .357 mag. I shoot .357 mag out of it but also shoot .38 special and .38 +p out of it to save my hands and so my wife can shoot it. I notice that the .38 specials are shorter overall than the .357 mags. Is it ok that its shorter? Is there a .38 special that is longer that is made to shoot out of .357 mag revolvers?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
    Posts
    1,457
    Rep Power
    0

    Lightbulb Re: Best .38 sp to shoot through a .357 revolver?

    No.

    There is no need for .38 Special to be longer. It works fine as-is.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Ligonier, Pennsylvania
    (Westmoreland County)
    Posts
    1,579
    Rep Power
    21474855

    Default Re: Best .38 sp to shoot through a .357 revolver?

    Quote Originally Posted by Yentl Marmelstein View Post
    No.

    There is no need for .38 Special to be longer. It works fine as-is.
    It's ok to shoot .38 Spl. through a .357 Mag. However be sure you clean the chambers well with a brush regularly so as not to get baked in carbon fouling. Not doing so can cause full size .357 Mag rounds to stick on ejection of the empties.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Keeneyville, Pennsylvania
    (Tioga County)
    Age
    69
    Posts
    208
    Rep Power
    3469

    Default Re: Best .38 sp to shoot through a .357 revolver?

    Quote Originally Posted by bluehen59 View Post
    I have S&W 340 PD, the little lightweight .357 mag. I shoot .357 mag out of it but also shoot .38 special and .38 +p out of it to save my hands and so my wife can shoot it. I notice that the .38 specials are shorter overall than the .357 mags. Is it ok that its shorter? Is there a .38 special that is longer that is made to shoot out of .357 mag revolvers?
    You should do a bit of research on the internet regarding the .38 Spl and .357 Mag cartridges. The magnum cartridge is longer so that it cannot be fired from a revolver chambered for .38 Spl. Bad Things would otherwise happen. To make .38 Spl cartridges that could only be fired from a .357 Mag is a bit silly.

    There are handload recipes for .38 Spl that shoot like a .22, if you are of a mind. I'm sure they could be adapted to .357 Mag cases.

    --Phil

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Midwest City, Oklahoma
    Posts
    2,224
    Rep Power
    1024

    Default Re: Best .38 sp to shoot through a .357 revolver?

    Any 38 spl. load will do you don't need to load a 357 mag case to 38 spl spec.
    357 mag cases should be loaded to 357mag spec and the same with 38 spl.
    Most 357 mags Revolvers are 357/38 type guns the opposite is not TRUE. 357 mag case too long.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Shelbyville, Pennsylvania
    (Chester County)
    Posts
    238
    Rep Power
    10588

    Default Re: Best .38 sp to shoot through a .357 revolver?

    Quote Originally Posted by Neko456 View Post
    Any 38 spl. load will do you don't need to load a 357 mag case to 38 spl spec.
    357 mag cases should be loaded to 357mag spec and the same with 38 spl.
    Most 357 mags Revolvers are 357/38 type guns the opposite is not TRUE. 357 mag case too long.
    What he said ^

    The .38's are shorter because they came first and they're less powerfull. That being said I've also found them to be slightly less accurate. Also like SG said, make sure to clean the hell out of it after or you'll have problems.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Chambersburg PA (Pure Appalachia), Pennsylvania
    (Franklin County)
    Posts
    1,649
    Rep Power
    650477

    Default Re: Best .38 sp to shoot through a .357 revolver?

    Quote Originally Posted by silkworm View Post
    I've also found them to be slightly less accurate.
    I can see that you have yet to make the acqaintance of a Colt Officer's model match.

    Flash
    "The life unexamined is not worth living." ....... Socrates

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Clearfield, Pennsylvania
    (Clearfield County)
    Age
    68
    Posts
    686
    Rep Power
    178350

    Default Re: Best .38 sp to shoot through a .357 revolver?

    Quote Originally Posted by silkworm View Post
    What he said ^

    The .38's are shorter because they came first and they're less powerfull. That being said I've also found them to be slightly less accurate. Also like SG said, make sure to clean the hell out of it after or you'll have problems.
    Please define "less accurate."


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Sweet Valley, Pennsylvania
    (Luzerne County)
    Age
    77
    Posts
    1,322
    Rep Power
    1390885

    Default Re: Best .38 sp to shoot through a .357 revolver?

    Let me reinforce the recommendation to do a little research about the two cartridges. One should know as much as possible about what they are loading or about to load into a gun.
    .38 Spl. Less accurate? Maybe out of your gun but otherwise that is a good example of what I am referring to. The .38 Spl., especially in wadcutter loads, has a long record of absolutely marvelous accuracy. S&W built their wonderful Model 52 as a platform just for that load. The NRA Distinguished Revolver program requires 158 grain SWC or RN .38 cal. loads. No magnums.
    And then there is that target posted above. Fine shooting.
    Pete
    “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.”Hemingway ...

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Shelbyville, Pennsylvania
    (Chester County)
    Posts
    238
    Rep Power
    10588

    Default Re: Best .38 sp to shoot through a .357 revolver?

    Less accurate meaning less consistent. I didn't say it WAS less accurate, I said I found it to be less accurate, personally. This is with a S&W N-frame in excellent condition. I do, however, still shoot .38 due to cost.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 2
    Last Post: July 20th, 2009, 11:03 PM
  2. Replies: 1
    Last Post: October 22nd, 2008, 05:22 PM
  3. Can I shoot .22's out of a 22mag revolver or auto???
    By Gary in Pennsylvania in forum General
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: May 11th, 2008, 11:51 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •