My new (to me) S&W snubbie

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Tayne

Tayne

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I've been in the market for a .38sp snubbie for a while now and came across this little cutie on consignment at my LGS today and snatched it up because of the price. It's a five-shot .38sp-only square butt M360J. I knew nothing about the model beforehand and have been scouring the internet (and these forums) for more information, to little effect. S&W site itself has nothing about it.
What I can't seem to get a conclusive answer on is whether it is +P rated. Does anyone know? Sorry if this is a noob post, but I am one, so... The barrel (pictured) doesn't include that designation, but some posters seem to think the 360J is anyway.
Anyway, gonna give it a good scrubbing and take it to the range this week, but just shoot some (though not much) cheap Fiocchi and Blazer FMJ through it to try it out.

IMG_2971.jpg
 
Jonesy814 said:
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com
Un-cataloged model. This article tells all about them. Made for Japanese police. Overruns show up on the US market every 4 or 5 years. Last time I saw them was 2018 I think
Click to expand...

Yes, the most exhaustive article I saw was the one on truthaboutgunsdotcom. Thanks. It's a funny little gun, there's some kind of insert over the cylinder/barrel gap I assume to prevent wear from escaping gas. It also seems to have the hole in the bottom the butt for a lanyard loop.
 
Tayne said:
Yes, the most exhaustive article I saw was the one on truthaboutgunsdotcom. Thanks. It's a funny little gun, there's some kind of insert over the cylinder/barrel gap I assume to prevent wear from escaping gas. It also seems to have the hole in the bottom the butt for a lanyard loop.
Click to expand...
You're right on both counts.
A shield for the alloy frame and a lanyard slot/bar in the butt.

Todd.
 
Yep, its the same frame as the model 360, which is a 357. That little stainless heat shield is to prevent flame cutting, which isn't an issue with a 38 Special, but the frame is designed for it so its there.
A buddy of mine got one 4 or 5 years ago, then about a year later a few showed up at the LGS from a new run.
His was from a run done in 2012
 
Neat pickup there! :thumbup:

You’ll find the +P loadings get a tad snappy, and can quickly become unpleasant, in Airweight Smith J frames... especially for newer shooters.

If you can find (or load) any standard pressure or target Wadcutter .38 Spl. loads you’ll find practice time will be much more enjoyable... and to become proficient with the J frame it does take some practice. :)

Again, that’s a really nice acquisition, congrats! :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
Riomouse911 said:
Neat pickup there! :thumbup:

You’ll find the +P loadings get a tad snappy, and can quickly become unpleasant, in Airweight Smith J frames... especially for newer shooters.

If you can find (or load) any standard pressure or target Wadcutter .38 Spl. loads you’ll find practice time will be much more enjoyable... and to become proficient with the J frame it does take some practice. :)

Again, that’s a really nice acquisition, congrats! :thumbup:

Stay safe.
Click to expand...

Thanks, yeah. I've learned the hard way to take my time when I decide I "need" a new gun. I've been looking for a J-frame for the last year after I let a great deal on a cherry S&W 637 slip through my fingers. Got a lovely used Colt 1911 gov't model that way.

Plus all this sweet stimulus money needs to get spent before my wife realizes it's in our bank account. :rofl:

Regarding +P, yeah I hear you. I just wanted to know for sure in case I load it for carry purposes. Practice with such ammo will necessarily be limited. Especially now when I can't find decent carry ammo anywhere.
 
They are about an ounce and a half lighter than the non-scandium air weight revolvers but it isn't enough to make recoil worse. Have shot my friends side by side with my 638 and they felt the same
Here is a picture showing it with the Japanese grips with integrated lanyard ring that hooks into the hole in the butt
240px-SAKURA_M360J_of_the_Japan_Coast_Guard.jpg
 
That is nice! I love it. I’ve been looking for a 38 snubbie too. I have a Taurus 357 snubbie and it’s great but I want a S&W too.
 
heyboy said:
That is nice! I love it. I’ve been looking for a 38 snubbie too. I have a Taurus 357 snubbie and it’s great but I want a S&W too.
Click to expand...

How's the recoil on a .357 with a >2" barrel? I love my S&W 686 but with 6" of barrel there's plenty of mass to take it up.
 
Tayne said:
I've been in the market for a .38sp snubbie for a while now and came across this little cutie on consignment at my LGS today and snatched it up because of the price. It's a five-shot .38sp-only square butt M360J. I knew nothing about the model beforehand and have been scouring the internet (and these forums) for more information, to little effect. S&W site itself has nothing about it.
What I can't seem to get a conclusive answer on is whether it is +P rated. Does anyone know? Sorry if this is a noob post, but I am one, so... The barrel (pictured) doesn't include that designation, but some posters seem to think the 360J is anyway.
Anyway, gonna give it a good scrubbing and take it to the range this week, but just shoot some (though not much) cheap Fiocchi and Blazer FMJ through it to try it out.

View attachment 985495
Click to expand...

Is it possible that this gun is chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge? I don't see spl on the barrel like is on all of my S&W's.
 
@Tayne
That is a cool revolver. I haven’t seen any of those but I did read about them somewhere.

I read and did a search on this article and could find nothing about the 360J being rated for +P. The only mention of +P is in the comments section.
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gun-review-smith-wesson-360j-japanese-service-revolver/

I can find nothing official that the 360J is +P rated. The only mention of it being +P rated is in sales ads on internet sales sites.

I would shoot it with a few different .38 Special loads and then decide if you are even interested in +P loads. If you are I would not take anything written on the internet as gospel. I would call Smith & Wesson and ask.
Call 1-800-331-0852
Have your serial number handy
https://www.smith-wesson.com/customer-service/contact-us
 
Pat Riot said:
@Tayne
I would shoot it with a few different .38 Special loads and then decide if you are even interested in +P loads. If you are I would not take anything written on the internet as gospel. I would call Smith & Wesson and ask.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you are right. Thanks for the clarity. Seems obvious but sometimes I can get into the groupthink mentality of the internet.
 
Tayne said:
Yeah, you are right. Thanks for the clarity. Seems obvious but sometimes I can get into the groupthink mentality of the internet.
Click to expand...

Me too ;)
I have to remind myself to go to the source sometimes. Glad you didn’t think I was being a jerk or something. :cool:

Edit: Oh, and let us know what they say. :thumbup:
 
Tayne said:
What I can't seem to get a conclusive answer on is whether it is +P rated. Does anyone know?
Click to expand...
This likely won't help with a conclusive answer but "this guy" says he "called S&W and talked to a gunsmith" and was told:

I talked to a gunsmith at S&W and he told me, no liability issues pertaining, DO NOT shoot +P unless its marked.
The ones NOT marked +P are not built for it even though its a scandium frame.
Click to expand...

from: https://www.smithandwessonforums.com/threads/smith-model-360j-38-special-question.46135/
 
Even if it is only cut for .38 for the Japanese - which I don't know without seeing it - I have to think that still holding the monicker *360* which is a .357, that +P is not an issue.

Maybe it's not commented upon because folk think it is obvious? That<<<< is merely an observation. Snowflakes need not interpret it as an insult.

Todd.
 
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