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November 16, 2009
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Greetings all. I'm still trying out my new Model 40 and experimenting in the DW world.
I really like the gun! I see in the "manual" that DW doesn't recommend the use of 38SPL and 357 Mag ammo in the 357 Supermag. I use 38 and 357Mag in my Encore and Contender 357 MAX barrels all the time. So far, no problems other than the need to clean often (and I do use jacketed bullets to reduce lead buildup in the chamber). Is there really a problem in using 38SPL and 357Mag ammo in the 357 Maximum revolver? How many Supermag owners use other than the intended cases and ammo, I'm curious?
Yes, the current economy suggests using cheaper ammo for tin cans and metal plates and saving the big boomers for the moving targets that you can put in the freezer. I will reload more MAX's if necessary, not a problem spending more time in the reloading room.
Can also load reduced loads and save a few $$ on powder, but interested to hear what others think.
Also, are the Dan Wesson sights interchangeable on all models? Has anyone used "sight paint" on the plastic inserts to change the color? I currently have a white sight on the Mod 40 and MT is now snow bound. I'm needing glo orange.
Thanks
NRARay
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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You can certainly use .38 Spcl and .357 Mag in your model 40. The downside is increased leading in the barrel and the cylinder chambers, possibility of increased forcing cone (actually the breach end of the barrel since Dan's don't have a separate forcing cone) wear, and greatly reduced accuracy. So, if those things matter you don't use the shorter cartridges.
The changeable front sights are the same on all revelvers. We have a member who is making custom front sights. See if the paint will stick; I doubt it.
-Mike
November 16, 2009
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Thanks Mike
Any thoughts on how many rounds it takes to get significant wear that would affect accuracy? I also have an extra barrel that I could use for the 38/357Mag rounds, would that be a workable strategy, keeping a good one for hunting/target shooting when using the Supermag rounds?
I'm trying to formulate a plan for putting rounds through the gun, some DA shooting, 
and doing that as economically as possible. Sounds like reduced MAX loads might be the way to go?
Ray
October 1, 2009
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I would not recommend using anything other than supermag cartridges in your gun (just light load them if you want) because a friend of mine bought a model 40 a while back and when he shot maximum brass in it, there was a ring in the brass when he extracted them.
It turned out that the gun had mostly shot .357 mags and there was a burn ring in the cylinder. We tried to clean the rings out to no avail
. It was not a carbon buildup, but a groove that was burned into all six holes! Ended up buying a new cylinder from DW. So if you use 38's or .357's make it very limited.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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NRA Ray,
I have not had any accuracy shooting the shorter cartridges in any of my SM's. I have tried it and as the others mention it has its drawbacks and as stated in some cases of repeated use, damage. It is highly recommended to stay with the recommended length cases. That said. I have not yet seriously downloaded any of the SM cases. I have used some of the starting load data, but found the accuracy much better on the top end.
SMF
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
April 25, 2008
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The SuperMags were designed to be run hard, for top-end power with heavy bullets to take down those 55 pound rams at 200 meters. Stick with 180-200 grain bullets, avoid the lighter ones as you will have flame-cutting issues. That is what killed the Ruger Maximum, gunwriters trying to see how fast they could drive 110-125 grain bullets.
I have briefly tried shorter cases in a couple of my SuperMags and accuracy was horrible. Even reduced loads didn't fair too well. Perhaps I never found the right combination, and I admit I didn't spend too much time on it.
Use the regular Maximum brass, load some 180 grain bullets and have fun shooting it. Best advice to save money is find a Model 15/715 and you can shoot 38 Specials out of it. Everyone needs another Dan Wesson. 
The Savantist
November 16, 2009
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AWESOME
You mean I have to purchase yet another DW????? 
That is exactly the strategy I came up with last evening, along with buying more MAX brass and get with the reloading program.
Looking for a 15-2 with 2" and 6" VH barrels. Will have to sell the S&W Combat 357 with 4" barrel, but oh well.
Accuracy with 38/357Mag loads in my Encore 357MAX barrel is not an issue other than different points of impact, but there is no cylinder-barrel jump in the SS's.
Curious about the 38SPL loads in a 357Mag cylinder?
Why doesn't that cause a problem with cylinder burning and barrel erosion?
(Maybe due to the lower velocities and pressures of the 38's?)
Thanks again
NRARay
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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NRARay said:
AWESOME
You mean I have to purchase yet another DW?????
Why doesn't that cause a problem with cylinder burning and barrel erosion?
(Maybe due to the lower velocities and pressures of the 38's?)
Thanks again
NRARay
2 answers:
Yes you need to buy another DW
Yes lower velocity and pressure
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
February 2, 2009
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If you used 38's in the 357mag long enough, it would create the same problem with the cylinder etching, but due to the lower pressure of the rounds, the accuracy and forcing cone damage is a non issue. The 38 and 357 mag are also closer in length than the max. I just download the max's to mag velocities and they last a very long time, many reloads with the lower pressure. Impact points are different, but as long as you practice with the hot ones before hunting with them, you will know the shot placement.
Supporter
DWF Supporters
November 21, 2009
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How much longer is a DW supermag cylinder than a DW .357 cylinder? Are the cone areas on the barrels designed any differently?
December 12, 2009
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As my 40 most likely has the worst damage from shooting 357 mag in a max. Yes it is so bad it will put a shiny ring around my max bass at the 357 mag mark. Once and a while ok, but please do not give it a steady diet. I will play around with the camera and see if I can get a picture of the cylinders. Just one look and you most likely will never put a 38 or mag in a 40 again!!!
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