[misfit4645]

hi there, i just got the above stated gun ( well here in RI, we have to wait 7days), i got it for under $300, by looking in books seems like its a deal, its MATTE SS, with no hammer, well its got a little nub, which is a hammer, its alows snag free operation but also DA/SA, i have a ton of 38 ammo, so ill prolly just shoot the 38 special through it for a while, i wonder what it will be like when i blow through some 357 through the 2 in bbl!! i just wanted to know if anoyone else has one of these and its it functions good, and what they think of it??? how accurate it is etc--any mods to do? ALSO WHERE CAN I GET SOME NEW GRIPS FOR IT? MAYBE WOOD? / RUBBER AND WOOD???
thanks

 

[chewybaca]

Is it a small frame like the 650 CIA? I just barely picked up a stainless 357 CIA. I remember shooting my buddy's S&W 640 stainless 357 with full house 158 and 125 grian mag loads. I know recoil is a subjective thing but DAMN!!! it was like slapping my hand as hard as I could against solid concrete! So, I probably try it with this but will most likely keep 125 +p 38 Spec Gold dots in it.

 

[NativeTexan]

There's not a lot of advantage to .357 out of a 2" gun, about 100 ft lbs. Well, that's a good bit, admittedly, but you pay for it in flash/bang and recovery time with the small frame guns. You just have to judge whether the extra 100 ft lbs is worth the punishment to you. With a good grip, though, it doesn't have to be terribly punishing to the hand and can be controllable with the hot stuff.

I carry a 3" M66, but while more shootable, it's a little larger and heavier than the smaller frame gun. That's the trade off. I gotta admit I don't carry it as much as my M85UL. I do love .357 as a caliber, though, very versatile and a real man stopper, but it is rather barrel length sensitive. I might HAVE to get a 2" .357, though, just to have it in the collection. The 651 is an excellent little revolver, that's for sure! .38 or .357, whichever you decide to carry with, it will get the job done, strong little gun, accurate, and easy to carry.

 

[misfit4645]

Can you shoot 38 special wad cutter reloads / new wadcutters out of a 357?

 

[Qwiks draw]

Yes you can shoot wadcutters out of a .357 magnum. All .38 Specials can be shot out of a .357 magnum with no ill effects to the shooter or revolver. Just have to scrub the carbon rings left behind out, Doesn't have to be mirror smooth in the chambers. Over a time the buildup can keep cartridges from going into the chambers at all. Forcing in cartridges into a very dirty chamber is also not a good idea. If too much buildup collects it is possible for the bullet to get stuck momentarily in the chamber. All that gas pressure coming up behind the bullet, and nowhere for it,to go will cause over pressure. This will result in a blow up or out with blowtorch gas effect to the gun and person as well. I shoot mostly .38 Specials out of my 2 Taurus .357 magnums. I clean the cylinder chambers out with Blue Wonder and a bronze brush frequently or after every range session. Solvents made for this will work also. Might have to put a solvent soaked patch through each chamber and let the gun sit afew minutes (5 to 15 minutes) to let the solvent do it's work. Then use a brush soaked in solvent to scrub each chamber. DO not have to use gorilla scrubbing techniques. A few passes should do the trick. Run the bronze brush through a few times and then run dry patches through to get the crud out. Change patches every time the rod passed through the chamber. That way the grit won't scour the chamber walls and remove metal. Some will pass a patch back and forth through the chamber and then change to a clean patch and start all over again. Patches are cheap compared to the repair bills if maintenance isn't kept up. The more 38 ammo through the gun, the more scrubbing and cleaning will be needed. Each additional shot adds more accumulation of buildup and bakes it on and to a harder consistency. And Native Texan hit the nail on the head. Happy and safe shooting everyone.