Cylinder reaming

[Saabman]

I have a new Smith & Wesson 360 airweight chiefs special chambered in 38 special. This revolver is very similar to the S&W M&P 360 that is chambered for 357 Magnum. Can the steel cylinder be reamed out to accept the 357 Magnum cartridge. as it seem to be the same lenth as the M&P 360 magnum. Not that I will be shooting a lot of 357 Magnums in this little light weight but even to use some of my 357 Magnum brass to load mild 38 special type hand loads. But if Push comes to shove I have the option of shooting both 38 & 357 brass loads...

 

[Bezoar]

there are two differences between the 38 special and 357 magnum cartridges:
1. length
2. 20,000 psi in chamber pressure

I havent had the time to look at the guns barrel, but the barrel should say 38 smith and wesson spcl ctg OR 357 Magnum ctg.

Read the barrel of your weapon, if it says 38 special ctg on it, thats all you can use. attempting to use 357 magnum cartrdiges in a gun marked for 38 special would most likely have you looking for an ambulance and a good surgeon to fit you for a prosthetic hand.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Attempting to shoot .357 from a handgun manufactured as a .38spl is foolish at least and deadly at most. Don't do it. I have seen two post in the past week about shooting 357 in a 38. How do this incredibly stupid ideas get started?

 

[machinisttx]

You do know that S&W changed the J frame when they started building .357 magnums on it right? Perhaps, just perhaps, there was a good reason they did that?

If your gun was built to shoot .357 ammo, it would have come that way from the factory.

Bad idea.........

 

[Old Fuff]

Besides the reasons stated above, Smith & Wesson use a different steel and heat treating process in their .357 Magnum cylinders. If you want a .357 Magnum, sell the revolver you have, and use the money toward the purchase of a .357 Magnum revolver - and the Old Fuff STRONGLY suggests that you get an all-steel gun.

Oh, and never go near any so-called gunsmith who is willing to rechamber your .38 Special.

 

[Guillermo]

Please do NOT consider this.

If you want to shoot .357s buy a gun that is designed for that purpose.

To do otherwise is dangerous and foolhearty.

 

[Jim Watson]

Agreed, rechambering an aluminum framed .38 to .357 is not a good idea.

Check out the Buffalo Bore line of ammunition. Some of their heavy standard and +P Specials might be all the fun you want in that light pistol.

 

[WC145]

I'm not suggesting he try this, but for clarification, the Model 360 .38spl uses the same frame as the M&P 360 .357mag, per S&W. I checked with them on it before I rechambered mine for 9mm.

 

[WC145]

Also, it's a scandium/aluminum alloy frame, not just aluminum.
Which doesn't sound like much but makes a huge difference in strength and weight.

 

[PRM]

Agree with other posts - why??? A steady diet of .357(s) is not the best on small frames (even the ones rated for it). Reaming out a .38 to accept a .357 is just asking for trouble. Personally, I have a Model 60 that is rated for .357, and prefer shooting .38(s) out of it. Recoil management and follow-up shots are much easier to control with the .38 out of the smaller gun.

 

[Jim Watson]

Also, it's a scandium frame, not aluminum.

Less than 1% scandium in the aluminum alloy. Stronger, sure, but still definitely an advertising term of art.

I agree with the post that says he will have a hard time finding a reputable gunsmith to rechamber a Special to Magnum these days.

 

[Brian Williams]

Answer given along with great advise.
tis up to the user to follow.
b