Newbie LCR .357 Magnum Question

[JaPes]

I'm going to apologize in advance if I am asking a stupid question. My limited revolver experience consists of a Taurus Judge Magnum (what was I thinking?) and my new-to-me LCR .357.

I understand that when a round is fired, it has to travel the gap between the cylinder and forcing cone(?). Gasses escape from that gap.

When firing .38 Special, and .38 Special +P at the indoor range, everything feels good. When firing .357 Magnum, I sometimes feel my face getting peppered by hot debris.

Is this normal when firing .357 Magnum out of a LCR?

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The first thing would be to try some different and various ammo, preferably with heavier jacketed bullets.

The 357 mag generates a lot more pressure and as such more hot gases will escape the B/C (barrel/cylinder) gap. There may be particles of unburnt powder or lead escaping. Check that the B/C gap is not excessive. If you have some feeler gauges I believe it should be about .003" - .005" Also check that the cylinder locks-up fairly tight and that the charge holes line-up with the barrel and forcing cone. Check the forcing cone for erosion. If you don't know how to do these checks have a gunsmith look at it for you.

There will and should be noticeable flame shooting out of the B/C gap and maybe particles of powder that you can feel if you get too close, but particles hitting your face, ...no. :shock: :shock:

Notice the powder burns on the rest from hot gases escaping the B/C gap:

...Jimbo

 

[JaPes]

Thank you Jimbo. It adds to my background knowledge.

I'm going over the factors of my range visit.

1. Before going to the range, I ran a dry patch through the barrel and cylinders.

2. I wiped down the revolver to make sure there wasn't any oil or anything that would sling out.

3. Ammunition used was 158 gr. Remington UMC semi jacketed hollow points purchased at Wal-Mart.

4. I used a modified weaver stance. I'm cross-eye dominant.

I'll perform all the checks you recommended. I'll also get different varieties of .357 ammo to test. I'm also going to visit a different indoor range.

Maybe the physical set up of the lanes at the range contributed to the problem. Hot gas and particles blow out to the side, and bounce off the lane dividers back to me.

Again, thank you!