S&W - No less than 120GR bullet?

[KMKeller]

On the muzzle of my S&W 340, it states "Use no less than 120 GR bullet."

I'm assuming that this is because of the sharpness the recoil in a lighter weight bullet has a tendency to dislodge the remaining bullets from their cases, thereby extending the overall length of the cartridge. Whereas a heavier bullet is more likely to "push" rather than "shove"? Is this correct?

 

[dairycreek]

You are exactly on point!

I have a NIB 386 and that's pretty much the explanation that came with the manual for that gun. Good shooting

 

[KMKeller]

So you're saying... that, um... I should, you know... read the manual? I always wondered what those things were for.

 

[Albert Shear]

Also, when I talked with S&W about my 386PD I was told 357mag's less than 120grs use faster burning powders that cause quicker eroding of the frame.

 

[joe4702]

From page 13 of the Owners Guide:

AMMUNITION WARNING
ALL SCANDIUM REVOLVERS FIRING
MAGNUM AMMUNITION
(Example: All model 340's, 360's, 386's)

To reduce the possibility of premature cylinder
erosion, do NOT use Magnum loadings with
bullet weights of less than 120 gr.

 

[KMKeller]

Sure Joe, rub it in...

 

[joe4702]

Only reason I had the manual handy was because
I bought a 360 two days ago and haven't finished
memorizing it yet

 

[Kahr carrier]

 

[stephen_g22]

Sounds like you could put whatever non-magnum (.38s) ammo you want through it, like the 110 gr Federal Home Defense Hydrashok?

 

[Albert Shear]

Yes, you can use any 38sp. load you want. My preference in 38 is CorBon 110gr +P+.

 

[KMKeller]

I'll have to give those a try Albert. Thanks!

 

[AngryBassets]

What about the .38??

My question is this: How well will the .38 spl Ti guns hold up to +P ammo?

I just purchased a 337PD, and the side of the barrel simply says "38 S&W SPL", but upon checking the S&W webiste, I see that it says "+P JACKETED" underneath this in the pic of the gun.

It makes no mention of this in the manual. What gives?

I'd like to carry +P in it, and occasionally put a cylinder of it downrange to familiarize myself with it, but I also don't want to ruin the gun prematurely.

 

[ChristopherG]

I don't think you need to worry much about the gun with +p. The scandium-alloyed aluminum that comprises its frame should hold up very well.

The reason it says "+P Jacketed" is that it's possible that the jolt of +P ammo, combined with the light weight of the gun, will shake lead bullets out of their cases--the gun becomes a kind of inertial bullet puller. I've had this happen with certain heavy .357 loads in my 340pd, but not with +P .38, which I shoot a lot of. According to their instructions, you can shoot lead bullets; but not +p lead bullets. Jacketed, you can shoot anything you want.

If you want to be able to shoot +P lead--for instance, SWCHP +Ps, the old FBI load (which I carry myself), then I'd recommend just testing a particular load in your gun. Load em up, shoot 4, and see whether the bullet in the last cylinder has begun to pull out. If it has, that load prolly won't work for you. If they pull too far, the bullet will protrude out the cylinder end and freeze up the whole shebang.

Chris