Nyclad +P in S&W 337

[vanfunk]

Hello Everyone,
Last week I came across a deal on a slightly used S&W 337PD. This is the aluminum frame / titanium cylinder / exposed hammer / black finish / 11 oz. .38 Special model. It is a joy for pocket carry. So far I've only fired the mild 130 grain FMJ ball through it and recoil is mild with these loads. When I bought the gun, I also picked up a few boxes of the now-discontinued Federal Nyclad 158 Grain SWC +P. I haven't tried these through the 337 yet, but I expect the recoil to be punishing. Now, these ultralight guns have a tendency to pull heavy, unjacketed bullets from their cases during their trip around the cylinder. How about the Nyclads? Do they count as "jacketed" because of their nylon coating? Has anyone out there tried these in an ultralight snubbie? Also, what are the typical velocities and expansion characteristics of this bullet when fired from a 1 7/8" barrel?

Thanks for your help!

vanfunk

 

[ArchAngelCD]

vanfunk,
All you need to do is drop an email to S&W with the Model number and serial number and they will tell you exactly what is safe in your revolver. Every time I have contacted them they have been very helpful.

[email protected]

1-800-331-0852 (USA)
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-8:00PM Eastern Time

 

[wcwhitey]

I am not sure about the Ultra-Lite guns specifically. However, that was my duty ammo for more than a few years and I have never heard of a problem. Until we switched to the Speer ammo last year I was carrying that in my 640 J Frame. Never had a problem myself. The Federal is loaded slightly lighter than the Winchester LSWC HP which may be a good thing. I also took a look at one of the remaining boxes I have and it seems to have a pretty strong crimp. Hope this helps, Bill

P.S. The recoil in the all steel snubby was not what I would call punishing but you had to get a real good hold on the gun. 1 box a range trip was all I would care to do. As far as the performance, my department went to the Speer short barrel because most of the revolvers left are 2" snubbies. The Federal round was a good performer in the 4" guns but apparently the need was there for a better round out of the short barrels. Again the Federal is slightly slower than the Winchester version.

 

[Sundles]

The 337 is a modern, quite strong revolver, so I dont see why the +P Nyclads would hurt the gun.

 

[cold dead hands]

I shoot the Nyclad +P in a Taurus M605 (.357 mag) 2'' all steel snubbie (so I can't help ya with the light gun part) and I can say that there is no problem at all and they make for a pleasant little thump in the hand. No discomfort at all. I love those things.

 

[vanfunk]

Thanks fellas!

This weekend I'm going to fire a few slugs into some semi-rotted wood in my backyard, just to see what kind of upset the Nyclads produce out of my snubbie. Not a scientific test to say the least, but at least it'll be fun.

I do like this gun quite a bit, and its feathery weight makes it easy to carry. I'm not so crazy about the exposed hammer though... Might just have to wait and see how the new S&W M&P 340 feels, when I can get my hands on one.

Say, anyone know if the XS tritium front sight is available for my little 337? I looked at Brownells, but they don't have any revolver sights for sale. I think a tritium dot would be an improvement over the red ramp that's on there now.

Thanks!
vanfunk

 

[ArchAngelCD]

vanfunk,
If you really like that revolver have the hammer bobbed by a Smith. It will cost you a LOT LESS than the $900 price tag of the S&W M&P 340.