In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

.357 and .38 ammo

ROY222ROY222 Member Posts: 548 ✭✭✭
edited May 2002 in Ask the Experts
I recently purchased a .357 revolver and the dealer said it was OK to use .38 ammo in it as well. Is this correct? Anything I should look for?
Thanks.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • austin247austin247 Member Posts: 375 ✭
    edited November -1
    The .357 magnum and the .38 Special are the same round, same diameter. The .357 is just in a longer casing, with more power than the .38. Most people that I know practice with .38's in their .357's because .38 ammo is a heck of a lot cheaper. Just don't try to fire .357 in a wheelgun chambered for .38.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Oops made a little error, you can't shoot .38s&w thru a .38spl, just like Saxonpig explains later on in the post.

    Edited by - leeblackman on 05/16/2002 04:04:32
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jager22jager22 Member Posts: 197 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    38 special is ok to shoot in a 357...not sure about the others
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gundummygundummy Member Posts: 254 ✭
    edited November -1
    THAT'S THE BEAUTY IN A .357. YOU GET TO PRACTICE WITH THE WAY CHEAPER .38'S AND STILL FIRE THE POTENT .357. IF YOU PLAN ON CARRYING ONLY .357'S, MAKE SURE YOU PRACTICE WITH THAT ROUND TOO BECAUSE THE RECOIL IS ALOT MORE. I KNOW GUYS WHO CAN'T HIT THE PAPER AT 7YDS WITH THE .357 AFTER TEARING IT APART WITH THE .38'S.
    IF YOU HAVE PROBLEM'S WITH THE .357, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S A SNUB NOSE, TRY THE .38 +P'S. THAT'S WHAT MY WIFE USES IN HERS. GD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pantera7974pantera7974 Member Posts: 938 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    ROY222, like SAXONPIG said, be sure to clean it good after you fire 38`s through it, i got a used 357 and after 50 rounds i could no longer insert the 357`s into the cyl. because the previous schmuck(owner) must have fired a hell of a lot of 38s and not cleaned it good enough, now im off to my local gun guy(yes i cleaned it with solvent and a 40.cal. brush)must have a ridge the size of the andes mountains in it, but hey, you live and learn, and im learning alot with the help of the guys in this forum( thanx guys).
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dobieman0690dobieman0690 Member Posts: 148 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Saxonpig i dont know what 357 your using but all of mine shoot 38s very well .400 groups at 50 yds all day long
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • erictheredericthered Member Posts: 244 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I only have one piece of advice for you.

    My practice with a 357 is to shoot lead reloads until I'm done, then shoot 6 or 12 metal jackets thru the pistol to clean up the lead.
    It works pretty darn well. Reduces clean time in either autos or revolvers. Autos just need a couple of shots. No cylinder.

    The 6 or 12 is because the cylinder holds either 5 or 6, and two shots thru each chamber usually gets it.

    The .357 is great for versitility(dont think I spelt that rite).
    Eric

    thats'me
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get some bronze .40cal brushes for brushing out the gunk in the chambers. Also you can get some Carter's Compensator Foul Remover and Preventative. I'm told that it helps keep a little of the gunk out, but I don't know this for sure. But you can always spray some MPro-7 on it to clean that baby up.



    If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.