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MLeake · September 11, 2011, 10:33 PM

It won't hurt it. In some revolvers, the .38 won't be as accurate due to the longer jump to the forcing cone - or so I've heard - but I've never noticed a difference in my revolvers.

Due to the shorter cases, though, crud rings can form in the chambers when you shoot .38. This won't hurt the gun, but should be removed by a good cleaning, if such rings form. The crud rings will often make it difficult to load .357 cartridges until they've been removed (standard solvent, brush, and patch cleaning, nothing fancy required).

I've heard some people claim the rings could cause pressure issues, if allowed to get really thick, but I've never heard of that actually happening. I clean my revolvers often enough that I'll never find out, either.

September 11, 2011, 10:33 PM	#2
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	It won't hurt it. In some revolvers, the .38 won't be as accurate due to the longer jump to the forcing cone - or so I've heard - but I've never noticed a difference in my revolvers. Due to the shorter cases, though, crud rings can form in the chambers when you shoot .38. This won't hurt the gun, but should be removed by a good cleaning, if such rings form. The crud rings will often make it difficult to load .357 cartridges until they've been removed (standard solvent, brush, and patch cleaning, nothing fancy required). I've heard some people claim the rings could cause pressure issues, if allowed to get really thick, but I've never heard of that actually happening. I clean my revolvers often enough that I'll never find out, either.