[Smaug]

I've shot 38 Special through my 357 too, and 357 is now hard to chamber sometimes. You can question my cleaning regimen if you like, but the fact is that it is not an issue if the "correct" length brass is used.

If you do fire the 45 Colt through it, I recommend scrubbing out the chambers thoroughly after shooting it. It doesn't damage the gun, per se, but what happens is that the carbon gets burnt on and is a DOG to get off. Like when you really burn something onto a hot oven.

Buy some Casull brass and reload to start with. Save the Casull ammo for when you really get a wild hair and feel like shooting at long distances, big animals, or just plain making some noise.

Sell or trade the 45 Colt ammo for something else.