Smith and Wesson revolver questions.

[MrShooter]

Check out ballisticsbytheinch.com

 

[gun001guns]

Check ballistics on a 2in 357, might not be what you thought. I have carried the S&W Model 38 for years, now I would not recommend a steady diet of +P's. You should be alright for SD purpose.

I don't disagree but anyway you stack it with the .357 you have the option of either round where with the 442, 642, etc you stuck with only the 38. I have a model 60 with 3 inch barrel and I like it but the 340 is lighter and smaller. To each his own, but Id pay $100 or so more for the .357 anyday of the week.

 

[HoLeChit]

Silly question..... Where the hell are all the .38spl snake shot shells anymore???? I used to see them all the time. I just went to 4 different stores and 6 websites and can't find any at all.

 

[Hoov]

That 340 PD scandium alloy gun is a mutha f'er to shoot. I like the steel Smiths to shoot. For carry, the 638 is just to cool with the concealed hammer. Listen to Jimmy. Old white guys know their wheel guns.

 

[YukonGlocker]

Been packing a 642 or 442 for many years. Grew to like the darker 442 better over time, and it's easier to pick up the front sight in black instead of silver in many light conditions. The modern self-defense loads (e.g., Speer's) in .38 +P perform adequately, and the .357 Mag loads in these short barrels don't do much more than recoil more (i.e., ballistically, they are not worth it). It takes some substantial practice to become proficient with these, but they are surprisingly accurate when you learn to control it. If you pocket carry frequently, or even occasionally, the enclosed hammer on the 642/442 models is great to help keep the s$hit out of the gun. A classic design that works well, and is hard to beat.

 

[Shadowrider]

Lots of old wives tales in this thread. My model 66 snubbie clocks 1250 fps with a 158 grain XTP bullet with one of my handloads verified with two different chronographs on different occasions. And that's a STARTING charge right out of the book! It's a hand full tho...

 

[Eagle Eye]

Lots of old wives tales in this thread. My model 66 snubbie clocks 1250 fps with a 158 grain XTP bullet with one of my handloads verified with two different chronographs on different occasions. And that's a STARTING charge right out of the book! It's a hand full tho...

Just want to add a bit of published data to the mix.
In speer reloading manual #14

+P 138 gr GDHP SB out of 2 inch barrel of S&W M15 2"
Powder
unique (starting load=SL - max) 728 - 834fps
powder pistol (SL - max) 797 - 845fps
Viht 3N37 (SL - max) 760 - 823fps


357mag 138 gr GDHP SB out of 2.5 inch barrel out of S&W 19
Powder
unique (starting load=SL - max) 971 - 1109fps
powder pistol (SL - max) 1046 - 1137fps
Viht 3N37 (SL - max) 874 - 1012 fps

Too bad they did not test 357 loads in a 2 inch barrel or vice versa
The writing is on the wall but one questions remains.... how many fps does .5 inches add?

 

[Shadowrider]

Just want to add a bit of published data to the mix.
In speer reloading manual #14

+P 138 gr GDHP SB out of 2 inch barrel of S&W M15 2"
Powder
unique (starting load=SL - max) 728 - 834fps
powder pistol (SL - max) 797 - 845fps
Viht 3N37 (SL - max) 760 - 823fps


357mag 138 gr GDHP SB out of 2.5 inch barrel out of S&W 19
Powder
unique (starting load=SL - max) 971 - 1109fps
powder pistol (SL - max) 1046 - 1137fps
Viht 3N37 (SL - max) 874 - 1012 fps

Too bad they did not test 357 loads in a 2 inch barrel or vice versa
This beckons the question.... how many fps does .5 inches add?

The Gold Dot Short Barrel loads in .357 are not full power magnum loads. Look up the standard 125 grain loads and you will see way too much velocity difference to explain 10 grains of bullet weight. The gold dot SB bullets have a much larger HP than the standard gold dot bullets and won't handle the velocity, they'll just disintegrate so they are down loaded.

 

[YukonGlocker]

For what it's worth, gel testing .38 +P and .357 Mag loads side-by-side with the same bullet out of 2" barrels yields *very* similar results. My recommendation is to become proficient with the .38 +P version, then move to the .357 Mag is you feel the need. I did carry the M&P 340 for a while because I liked the front sight. But I'd rather use the savings in gun price to purchase practice ammo.

 

[Eagle Eye]

The Gold Dot Short Barrel loads in .357 are not full power magnum loads. Look up the standard 125 grain loads and you will see way too much velocity difference to explain 10 grains of bullet weight. The gold dot SB bullets have a much larger HP than the standard gold dot bullets and won't handle the velocity, they'll just disintegrate so they are down loaded.

Sorry, nothing in the book about 38 and 357 125 grain projectiles out of short barrels.
The reason why I posted about the 138 GDSB HP is because that's what they shot out of short barrels in 38+P and 357.