THINK .38 SPECIAL (NOT .357)

[shoebox1.1]

Thanks golden. Punching paper means trigger time for me so hopefully it pays off GOD forbid the need to use it

 

[JERRY]

my 2" model 64 is one of my favorite guns and I wouldn't have reservations for using it for self defense.

 

[TTv2]

You know, for short barrel revolvers (3 inch or less) I would agree. I don't think .357 is much better than a .38 +P made by a boutique ammo company, at least in terms of doing the job you ask it to that doesn't involve those stealthy bears we never see, but are most likely there when we go outside to throw stuff in the garbage bin or get the mail, and are just waiting for the moment that they see we decided to leave the .357 on the table and brought the wimpy .38+P!

At 4 inches and greater the .357's increased power is significantly more than any .38 is and since I reload, I can load my .38 brass above published +P data and have a comfortable, yet powerful load that knocks the socks off almost all factory .38 ammo, but is plenty safe to shoot in my .357 revolvers.

It's a nice safe zone for loading and with my .38 revolvers, I'm hesitant to load anywhere near the max for the +P loads.

The price isn't that big a difference if you're willing to buy used .357's made by Charter and Taurus. My two .357 Charter's I got for less than $325 a piece and they're rock solid, compact, lightweight 5 shot wheelguns that could not be more practical. I like them so much, I've thought about getting one of the 2 inch Charter's in .357, even tho I said it's not much better than .38, when you can get them for $250 during normal times, why not?

 

[PzGren]

I think it can be expected that a .357 Magnum load will cause more wear and tear on a revolver than a .38 Special but that wear will not affect the timing that much but rather cause endshake and forcing cone erosion, as well as loosening of the lock up. Fast double action will cause more stress on the hand and cylinder stop than slow firing and because of that will have a bigger influence on timing.
I am into revolvers for a long time and personally have found that S&W has had quality control issues since the 1980s. That is no wonder because S&W paid their staff by the number of guns that they assembled and quantity paid better than quality. While I have bought a lot of used S&W revolvers that had issues, once those issues were fixed, the guns all performed well for a very long time and thousands to ten thousands of rounds, with endshake - which is easily fixed - the most common problem.

 

[UncleEd]

PZGren's comments on Smiths from the 1980s or later
reminds me of advice we used to pass around: Always
look for a used Smith that has been back to the factory.
That means a true armorer has gone over the gun and
not just an assembler.

 

[Buckeye63]

You know, for short barrel revolvers (3 inch or less) I would agree. I don't think .357 is much better than a .38 +P made by a boutique ammo company, at least in terms of doing the job you ask it to that doesn't involve those stealthy bears we never see, but are most likely there when we go outside to throw stuff in the garbage bin or get the mail, and are just waiting for the moment that they see we decided to leave the .357 on the table and brought the wimpy .38+P!

At 4 inches and greater the .357's increased power is significantly more than any .38 is and since I reload, I can load my .38 brass above published +P data and have a comfortable, yet powerful load that knocks the socks off almost all factory .38 ammo, but is plenty safe to shoot in my .357 revolvers.

It's a nice safe zone for loading and with my .38 revolvers, I'm hesitant to load anywhere near the max for the +P loads.

The price isn't that big a difference if you're willing to buy used .357's made by Charter and Taurus. My two .357 Charter's I got for less than $325 a piece and they're rock solid, compact, lightweight 5 shot wheelguns that could not be more practical. I like them so much, I've thought about getting one of the 2 inch Charter's in .357, even tho I said it's not much better than .38, when you can get them for $250 during normal times, why not?

I picked up this Charter 357 6 shot a while back
I have very very little range time since the purchase, due to health problems...
But it seems like a keeper .. compact , light built on the Charter XL frame
I do believe a 7 shot 38 spl could be easily built on the XL frame

 

[PzGren]

PZGren's comments on Smiths from the 1980s or later
reminds me of advice we used to pass around: Always
look for a used Smith that has been back to the factory.
That means a true armorer has gone over the gun and
not just an assembler.

Yes, later when it got even worse, S&W had assembly numbers added to the guns that linked the returns to the assembler and he had to fix the gun on his own time.

 

[ThomasT]

Shoebox the picture of your 5" GP-100 had me looking on the Ruger site at them. What a pretty gun.

I'm not a big Paul Harrell fan but did find his video comparing a 357 and 38 from a snub interesting. For those that say the 357 is a waste and no better than a hot 38 in a snub may need to rethink that a little.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=is+357+much+better+than+38+in+a+snub?

 

[velocette]

After reading through all the opinions, facts, fallacies, preferences, desires, etc, etc,
I am again happy and content with my two .38 spl revolvers, K frame model 15 and J frame 640.
Sufficiently accurate, reliable, comfortable to shoot, and pleasant to the eye.
I'm happy.

 

[Obturation]

I'll always pick a magnum over a lesser version, if I want lighter loads I just make them to the power level i desire- up or down.

 

[TTv2]

View attachment 944275

I picked up this Charter 357 6 shot a while back
I have very very little range time since the purchase, due to health problems...
But it seems like a keeper .. compact , light built on the Charter XL frame
I do believe a 7 shot 38 spl could be easily built on the XL frame

Sadly, being the unfortunate owner of a Charter .32 Professional, I have little faith in all newly made Charter revolvers and I stick with the Stratford models.

 

[DaStray]

Agree with the posters here that say the 38 +P rounds will do the job. In my 686, the 357 rounds aren`t bad but my J frame is a different story
Sorry, mcb

 

[UncleEd]

After reading through all the opinions, facts, fallacies, preferences, desires, etc, etc,
I am again happy and content with my two .38 spl revolvers, K frame model 15 and J frame 640.
Sufficiently accurate, reliable, comfortable to shoot, and pleasant to the eye.
I'm happy.

You'd be a whole lot happier if you had two Model 15s.

 

[Pat Riot]

I would love to get my hands on an old M&P .38 with a 6” barrel. Or even an older model 10 with a 6” pencil barrel. I have always thought they looked neat.

 

[Buckeye63]

Sadly, being the unfortunate owner of a Charter .32 Professional, I have little faith in all newly made Charter revolvers and I stick with the Stratford models.

Yep .. seems like the QC bug has bitten all gun manufacturers!!!
I had a fiasco , getting Charter to admit that a cylinder doesn’t supposed to drag against the frame ... 8 emails..a dozen pics , then one to the owner !!!
I told it would take 8 weeks only 5 more to go !!!

 

[adcoch1]

I would love to get my hands on an old M&P .38 with a 6” barrel. Or even an older model 10 with a 6” pencil barrel. I have always thought they looked neat.

Yeah a six inch tapered and pinned model 10 is a sweet shooter alright...

 

[TTv2]

Yep .. seems like the QC bug has bitten all gun manufacturers!!!
I had a fiasco , getting Charter to admit that a cylinder doesn’t supposed to drag against the frame ... 8 emails..a dozen pics , then one to the owner !!!
I told it would take 8 weeks only 5 more to go !!!

So much for Charter's Customer Service being so good.

The sad thing is that it's not just me that's had this issue and Charter has refused to do the work to make things right. So, they've lost me as a customer for life.

As far as QC issues go concerning revolvers, my faith in Taurus is growing. When I see they've built a facility in Georgia, have admitted they've had issues with customer service and will improve it, I feel a company as big as they are can put their money where their mouth is whereas a small, family owned company like Charter cannot.

I could mention other companies, but I mention Taurus by name because the cost of their revolvers is not far from that of Charter, but the quality feels superior and the intent even more so.

 

[Buckeye63]

So much for Charter's Customer Service being so good.

The sad thing is that it's not just me that's had this issue and Charter has refused to do the work to make things right. So, they've lost me as a customer for life.

As far as QC issues go concerning revolvers, my faith in Taurus is growing. When I see they've built a facility in Georgia, have admitted they've had issues with customer service and will improve it, I feel a company as big as they are can put their money where their mouth is whereas a small, family owned company like Charter cannot.

I could mention other companies, but I mention Taurus by name because the cost of their revolvers is not far from that of Charter, but the quality feels superior and the intent even more so.

I still have faith in Charter , just put a new Off-Duty in layaway... I agree .. Taurus seems to be turning the corner...I like my 856 UL for sure...
Im hopeful that Charter will get it together..

Sorry bout being off subject

But as I mentioned a Charter Off-Duty is in layaway..
13oz 5 shot 38spl , DAO similar to the 642

 

[two shanks]

Just a personal thing but I won't shoot .38 special in a .357 Magnum. I do have a lot of .357 rounds loaded less than maximum.

 

[Pat Riot]

Yeah a six inch tapered and pinned model 10 is a sweet shooter alright...
View attachment 944420

That’s what I am talking about. Very nice revolver.

 

[adcoch1]

That’s what I am talking about. Very nice revolver.

My very first 38. Haven't had it very long but it sure lit the spark. I started casting about the same time this came home, and I've fallen in love with wadcutters over hp38 out of this thing. Taught a few people to shoot with it. Always a hit when it comes out, especially with the gals. Wife, daughter, buddy's wife, and SIL all love it.

 

[golden]

I have had or shot about 6 CHARTER ARMS revolvers, mostly Undercover models. Everyone of the original guns that I bought in the 1980's went to a gunsmith for a trigger job. They were reliable out of the box, but the trigger was gritty.
My family is big on CHARTER ARMS and recently I shot two recent production Undercover revolvers at the range. I was surprised at how gritty there triggers were. It felt like sandpaper.

My 1980's production guns were had triggers that were much smoother, but then, they both have had trigger jobs. My newest one, is an Undercover that came with the old banana grips, but the trigger has worn smooth enough to shoot comfortably. If you come across one of these, I highly recommend adding the CHARTER ARMS rubber grips. It is on the narrow side for comfort, but fits my hand much, much better than those old banana shaped, wooden grips.

Overall, I like the Undercover models, but I would not carry a new one until they had a trigger job.

Jim

 

[Buckeye63]

I have had or shot about 6 CHARTER ARMS revolvers, mostly Undercover models. Everyone of the original guns that I bought in the 1980's went to a gunsmith for a trigger job. They were reliable out of the box, but the trigger was gritty.
My family is big on CHARTER ARMS and recently I shot two recent production Undercover revolvers at the range. I was surprised at how gritty there triggers were. It felt like sandpaper.

My 1980's production guns were had triggers that were much smoother, but then, they both have had trigger jobs. My newest one, is an Undercover that came with the old banana grips, but the trigger has worn smooth enough to shoot comfortably. If you come across one of these, I highly recommend adding the CHARTER ARMS rubber grips. It is on the narrow side for comfort, but fits my hand much, much better than those old banana shaped, wooden grips.

Overall, I like the Undercover models, but I would not carry a new one until they had a trigger job.

Jim

I will have 9 Charters in my safe as soon as my
Off Duty gets out of layaway prison
And Im planning on a number 10 as soon as it rolls out .. a 6 Shot aluminum 32 H&R Undercoverette

I have found all my Charters , used or new , trigger is quite a bit better than a new factory J Frame trigger ...

 

[Buckeye63]

These are my Six Shot 38spl revolvers
Charter Police 6
Taurus 856UL
S&W Model 12

 

[shoebox1.1]

My undercover went in for some wobble ( fixed now) when I got it back it for sure feels smoother than what I sent them. It’s very smooth. My buddy’s out of the box 642 from a big retail chain has an unbelievably smooth trigger. I call it a Wednesday child. I mean it “feels” like 8lbs glass smooth.