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Crosman’s 357GW kit

by B.B. Pelletier

There are more great airgun deals in this world than I have time to report. One that snuck up and surprised me is Crosman’s 357GW kit.

This revolver is a real trooper!
In 1983, Crosman brought out their 357 10-shot revolver. It resembles a Colt Python, yet it breaks open from a center hinge like a Webley Mark IV revolver. It uses a CO2 powerlet to push a .177 pellet up to whatever speed the barrel length dictates – and that’s where the story starts to get interesting. In ’83, they had models with both 4″ and 6″ barrels, and a year later they brought out the 8″ gun. These guns are lighter than their firearms counterparts, so the 8″ barreled gun is not too unwieldy for anyone to handle. The Python grips help you control the gun, too. How about that? Positive gun control depends on the grips!

Without any competition, Crosman still made this a great deal!
In 2006, you might be tempted to say, “So what?” to a CO2 revolver; but in the middle ’80s, there weren’t many airgun revolvers to choose from. Add the Crosman price to the mix (with no competitors!), and it gets even better. This was a deal, if you wanted a revolver, and it was all there was! It was good then..and it still is!

The 357 fires both single- and double-action and gets good power (in the 400+ f.p.s. range, depending on barrel length). It’s a fast-handling revolver with lots of shots and has a fully adjustable rear sight that gets you on target. Probably several million 357s have been sold in the time it’s been around. Bottom line? This is a gun with a following.

Where do they stand today?
To complete this report, I’ll compare the 357 to the Gamo R-77. That revolver came along more than a decade later. They don’t currently offer an 8″ model, and their 6″ gun is available only with walnut grips. So, the Gamo R77 is more expensive, has fewer features and lower power than the Crosman 357. It still has its devoted followers, but feature for feature, the Crosman comes out on top.

The other revolver I will compare it to is the S&W 586-4. This Umarex gun costs three times what the Crosman does, and it does have a better finish and lockwork. But, if your goal is to buy an affordable wheelgun and start shooting now, I don’t think the S&W is three times better (or more fun).

What about the 357GW kit?
Okay, you know about the plain 357, but there is also a kit version that has some added features. For starters, it comes with both the 4″ and 8″ barrels. I would buy it for that, alone, but there’s more. Also included is a Crosman red dot sight with mounts for the gun, three 10-shot rotary pellet clips and a special hard case to hold everything. At $78.95, that’s a deal!

That 8″ barrel would be the thing I’d like to try out. I love long-barreled revolvers, and I’ve never owned one with interchangeable barrels. The S&W 586 has an 8″ interchangeable barrel, but it’s only $10 less than the entire Crosman kit! That’s not to say it isn’t very nice, but the Crosman gives you so much for so little money that I don’t think you can ignore it. Plus, I’m guessing the 8″ barrel will give velocities in the 460+ f.p.s. range with light pellets.

I’d like to hear from 357 owners. How do you like your guns? Does anyone own the kit? If so, how easy are the barrel changes?

author avatar
Tom Gaylord (B.B. Pelletier)
Tom Gaylord, also known as B.B. Pelletier, provides expert insights to airgunners all over the world on behalf of Pyramyd AIR. He has earned the title The Godfather of Airguns™ for his contributions to the industry, spending many years with AirForce Airguns and starting magazines dedicated to the sport such as Airgun Illustrated.

231 thoughts on “Crosman’s 357GW kit”

  1. Great article about a great gun. I have had the same Crosman 6″ revolver for 6 years and it still works as well as ever. Bought a dozen extra magazines and use it for shooting at objects tossed into the air and for hip shots and can rolling. A real million dollar fun gun for only a little money.

    • Hi Denny, A great review etc. etc. and easy to read.
      My question to you is this, like all revolvers the Crosman has a fair amount of “flash” between the revolving chamber and the frame! Are you aware of anyone who’s attempted to minimise this effect?
      For what it’s worth, I also own a Crosman Optimus .177 air rifle. I’m from South Africa, and the price I paid with a decent scope + carry bag + 500 pellets was = GBP94 or USD154. The accuracy is phenomenal to say the least! At 25 yards (23 meters) I’m grouping five pellets inside of 10mm dia or 3/8″!
      What I’d like to tell you too, is that I modified the trigger with miniature bearing, I replaced the spring with a 25% longer one (squeezed in to the exact sheer point) and polished up all the innards and moving parts – specifically the trigger sheer! And finally lubed everything with silicon grease! The net result is that I can only use the heavier pellets (eg H&N Crow Magnum) because the lighter ones tumble or go out of shape! BUT, it drives right through a 1″ thick pine plank! And, with “dieseling” the 9.36gr H&N Crow Magnums crack like a .22!!!
      Something else I’d like to share, is that I keep the barrel “half cocked” when put away in order to allow the chamber seal to “relax” so that when I do shoot, I think I am maximising the benefit of the seal! And lastly, when loading each and every pellet, I roll my thumb nail over the skirt of the pellet to ensure that it is seated completely, to the point where I can see the rifling imprint on the skirt of the pellet. Again to maximise the seat and seal of the pellet!
      Your comments will be greatly appreciated?
      Kind Regards.

  2. BB,I told you on a post that I have an air rifle {daisy 953} that shoots 3000fps and I was wrong.I bought a brand new chronografer from pyramid air and it said it was 3500fps.So sorry for telling you it was less but I now told the truth because of my new chronographer.

    KKYY

  3. Of the three guns mentioned in the post which is the most accurate? Is the build quality of the Crossman equal to that of the Gammo? Are the shooting characteristics of the three similar? Thanks

  4. I think the Crosman and Gamo guns can be rated as equals. A longer barrel means more distance between the sights and that helps prompote accuracy. Longer barrels have nothing to do with accuracy by themselves.

    As for the shooting characteristics, the Gamo always shoots faster in the double action mode, which is the hardest to control. That’s because it uses a moving valve body to seal the cylinder, kind of like a Mosin Nagant revolver. Other than that, I’d say they are equivalent.

    B.B.

    • Hi , nice editing , i enjoyed reading some of you material .Anyways i own 357 magnum .177 with 8 in and 4 in barrel i purchase it in Canada in 1983 -1985 i love it it nice looking ,weight heavy and shoots well . Now over 30 years goes buy and its been sitting in storage and little scratch but in excellent condition except the barrel button to push open to feed the mag is very stiff i tied a little 10w40 on it i know its to thin but that all i had at the time , anyways i cut my thumb during this process oh well , maybe i should bring it to a gunsmith see what they say but i want to ask if you have any pointers on that and what you think a pellet gun like that is worth if i would sell it because there none out there like this to compare too. The nice black plastic grip with the rest all metal , no rubber grip or plastic co2 screw down .I find the 8 in makes this gun a bad ass Dirty Harry Classic . Im not sure what its worth compare to the new ones going for 350 and i find mine better looking .Thanks Cheers

        • Thank you for the speedy reply , wow i thought it be worth something because of its shortage and demand like none of ebay amazon private website oh well maybe Ill keep it for another 30 more years lol it such a nice piece and i work hard to buy it back then in 1983 -85 at min wage , i think i payed $100 Canadian funds .I will bring in to a gun shop get them to loose up the push button barrel issue so illl be able to use it when i comes the time in my old rocking chair when i retire , lol . Thanks BB

        • Hi , im responding back from your prev reply from last year ,
          According to0 the Blue Book uyou revolver is worth $80 in like new condition ,
          in other words a 1985 crosman 357 8 inch Metal barrel kit GW with the 4in barrel but no box is worth $80 or less , i believe in 1985 prices yes it would of if it was on special back then . I n other words a rare pellet gun that sold millions where sold and the none out there at this time ,and not even pictures on the internet or google images doesnt exist .Yes there pictures of the 2000 and newer model pictures with there ugly rubber handle and there plastic 6 in barrel .I believe this should be a collectible dont you think?
          I guess im a little disappointed with your blue book result and there clear no examples of any such sales of that value anywhere in Canada or the UsA research .I guess iwont be selling it at that price for this rare piece .
          Also I mention I had trouble opening of the 8 in barrel well, that was operator error , I was pressing down on the button instead of push then push down on the barrel , its tight to open but everything moves freely , but what a great pistol , and i still cant believe there none out there .
          Spring is here and im going out there and shoot a few rounds . Am i wrong ? or do I need a drink lol Cheers

  5. Can’t comment on the Crosman or Gamo, but the S&W is a fine piece! I have the Blue model with 4,6 & 8″ barrels. The 8″ is my favorite, about 1″ groups with RWS supermags at 10m (two handed hold). Compares very well to the “real” .357 firearm. I think my CO-2 gun has a better trigger (single action) than my .357.

    As BB says, the crosman is lighter. The S&W is 44oz with 6″ bbl, the crosman is 32oz (weights from Pyramid) My .357 S&W 6″bbl is 46oz empty, just for reference. Probably a lot easier for someone with less strength to shoot the crosman.

    The Crosman kit price is excellent, I might have to get one just to try it!! Thanks BB.

    JB

  6. I ordered a crosman Silver series 357 eight in 1994, replacing the 1377 american classic which I gave to my son. So, here we are in 2006 and the 357 is working great, and still holds gas for months, and still fires at 475-and 500+ fps. It penetrates into a pine 2×4 just slightly less than the the 1377c that I bought a few months ago!

  7. How does the accuracy of the 357 compare to the S&W? Is the S&W made of cast pot metal or of an alloy. Is the plastic construction of the 357 the same as the Gamo R 77 and how do those platics compare to ones used in the Beeman P3?
    Thanks, DB.

  8. DB,

    I will defer to someone who owns both guns right now on the accuracy question. The S&W is cast of spelter or pot metal All Umarex guns are made of it. Umarex has taken this technology to the highest level I’ve ever seen. A 586 air pistol looks as nice as a 586 firearm.

    As far as the plastics used by Crosman and Gamo, I’m not qualified to comment on what they are, but they do appear very similar. Like the plastic used in Glocks, they come from a group called engineering plastics that are generally better than steel for their intended purpose. Not stronger, just better for other reasons. Don’t worry – you won’t wear one out.

    The P3 is made from some similar stuff, but like aluminum that has dozens of different alloys, I’m sure there are subtle differences in the blends.

    B.B.

  9. KKYY,

    Ok…., I’ll ask…. how is it that your Daisy 953 produces 3000+fps?

    Are you shooting it with body armor on?

    Do you still have 10 fingers?

    Is the barrel shorter than 7 feet?

    dsw

  10. dsw,

    Sorry for that.Ill explain.I made some modifications to my 953.I use a scuba tank addapted to the chamber.The barrel is 57 inches long.The mechanism is new to resist the punch.I hope now you get me.

    KKYY.

  11. I have a 357 with an 8″ barrel and enjoy(ed) it very much. It died when I accidentally left a powerlet in it, but gave a few years of service willingly. The only thing I can think of to complain about is the trigger pull on D.A. is a tad heavy, but S.A. is a delight for plinking. No feeding, accuracy, breakage or even fit problems. Well,I guess it would not be the first choice if I had smaller hands, but that is a minor thing too. All said and done, a very nice piece, and well worth the money. Now to get it repaired, spring is coming…

  12. 357 owner,

    -Have you tried the Pellgunoil trick? That sometimes brings ’em back.

    Didn’t think of that, don’t know why.

    -And do you know where to send your gun for repairs?

    No, I do not know where to send it yet, I just had a baby so I have had a few other things to do. I think fifteen minuets on the net should do it, unless you know of a place near Redmond Wa.
    I think this is in the top five spots for pellet gun info, please keep it up, and send the naysayers a flaming bag of poo for me!

  13. Hi B.B.

    I have been following your blogs for a few months and thoroughly enjoy them. It’s refreshing to read articles with actual “technical content.” I, also, had bought one of the Crosman 357 kits about 2 years ago after a bad experience with a R77. I could throw pellets faster than that R77 could shoot them. That R77 now enjoys a new life as an impressive paper weight on my desk.

    After comparing the the S&W revolvers against the Crosman 357, I settled for the Crosman instead. (I guess my having owned a 38T some 20 years ago also swayed my decision.) However, for about 1/3 the price of the S&W, and the fact that I could choose from 2 barrel lengths made this a more flexible piece than the S&W. I could then put the extra dollars into air and ammo.

    I too am a fan of longer barreled revolvers. (I shoot a 10 1/2″ Ruger Super Blackhawk.) In which case, I immediately installed the 8″ barrel to the 357. The barrel is easily installed by removing the hinge screw at the bottom of the front of the revolver. With the screw removed, the old barrel just falls out. The 8″ barrel was then installed and the screw inserted and tightened.

    I then took the pistol down to the club to sight it in. After 3 – 10 shot warmup targets to sight in the 357, I managed to get a smaller than dime sized 10 shot group using a double hand hold at 10meters. I was quite impressed with the results that I then drilled and tapped the barrel housing, and installed a #62 sight rail and a Leaper’s Red Dot scope. Turning the pistol into air version of a “.22 hunter pistol.” I then sighted the 357 from a bench rest and managed to produce a ragged 1 shot group at 10meters.

    Although the 8″ 357 is quite impressive, it is far from being a hunting piece. I still have to chronograph the 8″ barrel to determine its actual mv. However, the 357 magazines provide enough depth that you can load it with high velocity Skenco pellets if you need a lot of penetration. (Skenco’s does wonders on soup tins at 10meters.)

    All in all I was quite impressed with the 8″ 357 that I even bought a 6″ model when they were on sale last Christmas and competed with it (out of the box) at a team match back in January. (But that’s another story…)

    Keep up with the great articles B.B. and take care!

    E.S.

  14. E.S.,

    Now THAT’S a comment, folks!

    I enjoyed reading about your experiences with the 357. And your experiences with the Ruger. I once had an old model with a 10-inch barrel that shot like a dream. Why did I ever get rid of it? Not much recoil, though I did handload to less powerful loads, as well.

    The Crosman 357 certainly has a lot going for it. Your group sizes prove that. I hope other readers who might be sitting on the fence read your report.

    B.B.

  15. I have enjoyed reading your articles. I have been recently in the market for buying a powerful yet inexpensive pellet pistol. I have always been fond of the longer barreled revolvers, so the crosman 357 caught my eye. I do have a ruger .22 competition pistol with a 7 inch bull barrel mounted with a simmons scope. It weighs about 4lbs.+the scope and its a monster. Its super accurate but it is not the easiest thing for traveling with. I am looking for something lighter without spendin the money for a gamo or another 22. I hear from people the it has phenominal accuracy, but something i like about the gamo is that it has rubber grips and a metal trigger and hammer. Does anyone know if the Crosman has these features? I know the 357 has molded grips but are they rubber. And if cromans 357 hammer and trigger are not metal are they sturdy? So if anyone can answer these questions i’de appreciate it.

  16. The standard Crosman grip is plastic, but then I don’t know everything. So how about it 357 owners? Are they rugged? I think they are, but your opinion means more.

    Also, I would look at the Drulov DU-10, if I were you. And don’t overlook the S&W 586.

    B.B.

  17. recently purchased a Crosman 357GW kit thru pyramid air(best prices out there) It is just as good as the one I had over 15 years ago.Crosman quality has not changed. Great gun for the money.
    any Idea how I can get a 6″ barrel,have been having a hard time locating one. I enjoy your reviews,nice to see another BIG KID out there who enjoys a good air gun.

  18. I have the 357 kit and it is great. With the 8″ barrel it has the weight and heft of my real 357 Magnum revolver, along with a tad more velocity (than the 4″ barrel). The only thing missing is the fierce kick of the real thing. It is accurate, even without the included red dot sight.

    The plastic grips aren’t the greatest and feel “floppy” and as though they may fall off, but they haven’t yet and seem to be durable enough. The trigger and hammer are indeed metal, as is the barrel, but the rest of the gun is mostly plastic. The trigger pull in double action mode is fairly heavy, just like the real thing.

    Keep the moving parts, along with the Powerlet, lightly lubed with silicone oil, and you should be just fine. There are not a whole lot of metal parts to get rusty.

    I would buy this air revolver again in a heartbeat, although I am starting to favor my Airsoft 1911-style autoloader more and more. You can’t beat those reusable plastic pellets and undamaged target boxes!

    As far as that gentleman’s 3,500 fps airgun – even if it were physically possible, you can’t possibly get much in the way of accuracy once you go supersonic (above 1,100 fps). That is why most of those Olympic Match air rifles make do with a leisurely 500-700 fps. A 10-grain pellet at 3,500 fps would have as much muzzle energy as your typical local cop’s 9mm pistol and more than a 38 Special. It thus seems unlikely.

    TS

  19. Dude! I no those S&W’s look nice, but the kit of the Crosman is way better. I absolutely love the 8″ barrel. Plus it’s powerful. I’m a target shooter and It’s pretty acurate. It even (with new CO2) Gives me a kick I really like this gun.

  20. I’m sorry, dude, but I do not understand what you are saying. You have posted fragmentary statements in two different places,

    Compose a question with a complete sentence – subject and predicate – and post it in just one place and I’ll try to answer it for you.

    B.B.

  21. B.B. I currently own a Remington Airgun rifle (730FPS or so). Now I want to experiment with air pistols. I have narrowed it down between the Gamo PT 80, and the Crosman 357W revolver. Which do you recommend?

    I am looking for mainly plinking (cans/targers). I know that the Crosman has a 2″ longer barrel, but how does that compare with the Gamo’s? The Gamo is $25 more expensive, but I would be willing to pay it if the gun is worth it. What do you think, between the two?

  22. Ok thank you. I am just concerned with the price range. The Crosman is only $50 while the Gamo is near $70. Does the phrase “you get what you pay for” fall short hear?

    You have heard good things about the Crosman, right?

  23. I just purchased a Crosman 357GW kit with 4″ and 8″ barrel. I have no experience with co2 guns but

    1) the pellet clip seems a little loose, but maybe its inherent in the design

    2) I can’t figure out how to easily mount the red dot scope. The instructions suggest that the scope is designed for other models.

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks, DR

  24. DR,

    As I don’t have a 357 here at present, I’ll have to defer to other readers on the red dot mounting question. If we don’t hear something by Monday evening, I will call Boris at Pyramyd AIR and ask him.

    As for the clip being loose, that’s how the revolver’s action is designed. In fact, I have several Colt and Ruger revolvers (actual firearms) that are designed the same way. The gun should lock up tight when the trigger is pulled.

    B.B.

  25. BB,

    I managed to mount the red dot via the mounting accessories (459MT) to the plastic sighting rail that is on top of the barrel – but this rail already has some play in it and the pressure of the mounting lugs will surely loosen it more. The base of the mounting lugs appears to be designed to grab a dovetail, but I’ve got it pinching the rectangular spaces between the siting rail and the barrel.

    It just doesn’t seem. Thanks, DR

  26. BB (or anyone), the only airgun I have used is a Remington pump .177 air rifle, so I have a question about the Crosman 357’s CO2 cartidges. Are they supposed to be left in the gun when not in use? Wouldn’t taking them out release the rest of the gas? Thank you.

  27. Hi DR, BB,

    I saw your post on the 357GW kit with refrence to the cylinder, and red dot. I have pursued the same path as you, and had posted my results on another of BB’s blogs for the 1077. Its found over at:
    /blog/2006/2/crosman-1077-a-fun-pellet-gun/

    Firstly, with refrence to your inquiry to the cylinder; Yes it is a bit loose. (Actually, if you were to compare the Crosman’s cylinder to that of, say my Super Blackhawk, is “a lot loose!” This is due to the single finger cylinder advance pawl in the Crosman 357 as opposed to the double fingers found in say a Ruger Blackhawk.

    However, this loose cylinder does not have any affect on my 357’s accuracy at all. The resaon being, that on advance the cylinder lines up perfectly, albeit not solidly, up to the barrel. On the other hand, if you look at the back of the barrel, you will also notice that the barrel entry is slightly stovepiped. This funnelling provides a guide for the pellet as it leaves the cylinder. So, even if the cylinder were not “perfectly aligned to the micrometer” the pellet will still travel a true course once guided into the barrel via the funnelled entrance into the barrel.

    I am not sure whether or not you might have access to a firearm revoler, though. If you were to look at the rear of a revolver’s barrel, you will also notice that there is a slight funneling in it as well. This is evident on both my Blackhawk, and Super Blackhawk. Therefore, even a real revolver has a margin of error.

    Secondly, as for mounting a red dot to your barrel, the option that Crosman supplies is the 459MT kit. My experience with that kit is that it is a bit loose (ref: /blog/2006/2/crosman-1077-a-fun-pellet-gun/) In the end, I installed a proper Weaver scope rail on to the rib of my 8″ barrel. However, the rib on my 8″ barrel is pinned at both ends. (That’s how it arrived from Crosman.) Thus the rib on my 8″ barrel is rock solid, and once I had successfully tapped and mounted my Weaver rail, I installed a 7″ tactical red dot to the barrel of my 357. I have been shooting this configuration for over a year now, and the scope is still rock solid.

    On the other hand, if you are trying to mount the scope on to the 4″ barrel, the rib on it is not pinned. Therefore the rib will move regardless of the mounts you use. If you are mechnically adept, you may find that the barrel can easily be extracted from the plastic barrel housing by removing the clip at the rear. Then the top rib of the barrel is eaily lifted out. At which point, the rib can be permanently fixed in place with some Marine epoxy. (Careful though. Marine epoxy is really tough stuff. If you mess up… Say put the rail in backwards… Then you’re looking to buy a new barrel!)

    I should also let you know, DR, that I do have the tools and some skills to work on my firearms, as such these skills migrate over to my airguns. If you have any hesitation at all about working on your 357 then please bring it to a qualified gunsmith!!! The first rule with any gun, be they firearms or airguns is to “be safe!” If you explain what you need to a profesional gunsmith, he should have no trouble at all in assisting you to achieve your goals.

    I hope this helps you,

    ES.

  28. I would like to know the range on these guns andif there are any flashlights or lasersthat will fit the trigger. I would also know how long you should keep a powerlet in there at the maximum(days, weeks, months?)I would also like to know if there are any reliable, accurate pistols less than $110 without shipping?

  29. CP,

    Are you reading my current posts? Because you have asked for something that does not exist. It isn’t that you haven’t found it yet – it simply does not exist.

    Air pistols that get velocities about 500 f.p.s. are very rare and, by your criteria, expensive. The AR-6 pistol gets 900 f.p.s. with medium weight .22 pellets, but it costs over $500 and is as long as a carbine.

    There is just NO way to get your requested velocity into a conveniently sized air pistol. And forget about the cost being low. You are pushing the envelope, and that always costs money.

    B.B.

  30. with this revolver, can you take a double action and pull back the hammer and take your time like a single action. I would also like to know of any other cheap, reliable airpistols that will last for years to come. I would also like to ask the dude with the 3000 fps gun or anybody else if you can hook an air compressor up temporarily to a gun. Another question I have is that can somebody tell me what is wrong with my Gamo P-23. It leaks CO2 when I put in the cartridge.

  31. I have just purchased the 357 and I love it. Its the best gun I have had in years and probably will comtinue to be the best.And to the guy with the 3000 fps gun, what the hell are you shooting at with that thing.Do you actually take it hunting with you or something

    M.G.

  32. BB,

    can you use remoil instead of pellgunoil. I cannot find any pellgunoil in Basspro, Dick`s sporting goods or wally world. I would also like to know a good pellet to use with this CO2 gun.

  33. Colt 535,

    Not RemOil – that’s petroleum-based and will destroy your gun’s seals. What you need is as pure a silicone oil as you can get. ATF will work, though Pellgunoil is available at Pyramyd for a whole lot less.

    B.B.

  34. I found some pellgunoil and my gun still leaks CO2. what should I do. I am thinking about buying a new one(this crosman), but I would like to know if it is easier to get it fixed. I think the O – ring(CO2 seal) is loose. I have had only trouble from gamos. What do you think I should do.

  35. Not entirely true…I recently ordered a 357GW from this website and it came very quickly, and works wonderfully.

    I have no complaints about Crosman or Pyramid Air, I think that was just one freak incident.

  36. My question is simple, I am thinking of getting this gun, but am curiouse, can it kill a squirrel and a realistic range, rather than a fictional one? (point blanc in the back of the head) realistic being atleast a good 10 meters?

  37. Not sure about that one…I think with the 8″ barrel it peaks at about 745fps.

    I have the gun and have shot soup cans with it from that distance, the can only dents.

    My other airgun (a rifle with 750fps) pierces at least two in a row. It could probably kill it, but when it comes to animals I think more penetration is better.

  38. I believe the Crosman 357 tops out at the low 500s with the 8-inch barrel. It is way too underpowered for squirrels, as are most air pistols.

    If you want to hunt squirrels with an air pistol, you need a Falcon or an AR-6.

    B.B.

  39. can it kill birds??? and would any of these contribute to a fatality on a squirrel
    -head/chest/good shot area
    -closer ranges
    -multiple shots
    -combonation of any of the listed?

  40. oki doky, i just got my 357 kit, and its not all that strong, i no i no its not supposed to be, but, is there anything i can do to up the power such as up the air output or sumthin? o ya is the red dot sight accurate, i cant get it to shoot in correlation to my gun accurately.. any tips on setting it up?! thx

  41. To boost the 357’s power requires an extensive knowledge of CO2 guns. The valve needs modifying and the hammer has to be strengthened. This is not a cost-effective move.

    Sight in the red dot at 10 feet. You want the pellet to strike as far below the aim point as the height of the dot is above the bore. At 10 yards you should be an inch below the aim point and can adjust it with the red dot adjustments from there.

    B.B.

  42. I purchased the 357 kit about a year ago and have been pleased for the most part with it. my only complaint is with the trigger return spring. about every 100 rounds i have to dissassemble the gun completely and reset the spring onto its perch, and then reasemble. it works again for about another 100 rounds give or take! Has anyone else had this problem? I have not contacted crossman about this issue, as i am capable of repairing it myself, and i will probably end up using some jbweld to hold it in place next time i go into it. Just curious if anyone else has fixed this problem. Other than that the crossman is a fine pistol, i feel that the grips are a bit large but they still look decent. Power is great on a new cartridge, i have put several rounds through thin steel and aluminum plating, as well as plywood. if you really need more power than what this can provide, look into purchasing a rifle.

  43. B.B. or anyone who knows,

    I understand that Co2 powerlets are not to be left in for a long time with this gun. But, I would like to know, what is a “long time” Thanks for the help!

  44. micahdakang,

    The wording of the warning is intentionaly vague. What Crosman is really saying is that if you don’t intend shooting your gun again, take the CO2 out.

    Leaving the gas in the gun probably doesn’t damage it, as there are hundreds of cases in which gas has remained in guns for many years with no harm. I have several guns that have held gas for more than a year, and I have one that’s been charged for at least 6 years. I once bought a gun that had been left charged for 20 years and it was still holding.

    Having gas in the gun is the same as having a loaded firearm, because the gas, alone, is what shoots the pellet. So this is a dangerous situation around someone who might be careless while handling the gun. I believe that is the real issue, here.

    B.B.

  45. I read that the 357GW will accept scopes/sights with a standard 3/8 dovetail mount. I’d like to get a scope for this gun, but I’m new to guns and am not sure what will actually fit on this pistol as opposed to a rifle. I basically want it to improve my vison. Also what is the difference between a “red dot” and a “laser” sight?

  46. desertgirl,

    Have you used the search feature on the main page of the blog? It will list all the blogs in which there are mentions of the things you are interested in, and there are direct links to them.

    Just to get you started, a laser projects a thin beam of light, like a flashlight. A red dot shines a dot of light on a window INSIDE the scope. Only the shooter sees it, but it aligns with the target when it’s sighted in. Red dots are easier to use than scopes on pistols.

    Stick with me and I will answer your questions, but try that search function first.

    B.B.

  47. I got this gun and right out of the box the 8″ was “Dead ON” at 10 m. that’s with a “Cold barrel”.. the 4″ with the “RED DOT”, after “sighting in” was just as good! Although I do not see why you would need a “Red Dot” at 10m.. This is really a Plastic “Toy” gun that shoots well! Another positive side.. it’s a real gas miser!!!! I fired 60 rounds and she was still “throwing them up there like “Randy Johnson”!!! If you need an ego booster, put aside the plastic.. and get this gun!
    Looks cheap.. works good!!!!

  48. B.B.

    I have just ordered my .357GW Kit, and it should be here in about 3 days. I was wandering if there is a good right hand hip holster that is not very expensive that would fit the 8 inch barrel, and would it also fit the 4 inch barrel?

    K.F.

  49. K.F.

    You’ll have to buy a real holster, because Crosman no longer makes one for this gun.

    Any holster that will hold your 8-inch gun will also hold a 4-incher, but it will have extra room. The only way around that is to buy one that’s open on the muzzle end and that defeats the purpose of the holster.

    I would shop the sporting goods catalog sites, looking for a Colt Python holster for an 8-inch barrel.

    B.B.

  50. I’ve posted a comment last Feb. 14. I’ve purchased the 6in model and am very pleased. It shoots perfectly, It’s great for bird and rabbit hunting, and holds Co2 for months. I also purchased and mounted a tasco red dot since i’m not that used to iron sights. While I was sighting in the red dot I discovered the vent rib rail was shaky. My questios are: Will this break off or damage the rail? and How much money is a replacement 6 or 8inch barrel and where could i find them? Thank you

  51. Dear BB,

    Have you used this gun yourself? I was wondering because it seems as if users have ranked the accuracy and velocity at which this gun shoots as above average/great. Just a little reassurance for me before I buy a airgun.

    Thanks,

    SuperGMman.

  52. I bought a Crosman 357 and it shot fine the first time I used it. I had to tighten the powerlet more than I thought I should even though I used Crosman’s suggested procedure – 1/4 turn at a time. After that it would always leak. I called Crosman and they had me clean the seal, which helped, but it still leaked inside the gun. They did mention that sometimes metal shavings aren’t completely cleaned out in a new gun and it has to be sent to the factory to fix it.

    I bought my 357 locally so I exchanged it for a Gamo PT-80 instead of shipping it to Crosman to have them fix it. I haven’t tried the PT-80 yet but am anxious to because of B.B.’s PT-80 review.

    Eventually I might pick up the 357 again but will probably get the kit from Pyramyd since it comes with the 8″ barrel.

    DLB

  53. I was going to buy a Crosman 357 Shooters Kit.. But last night I was scanning the web and I had a look at the R77. The one with the 6″ Barell and Walnut Grips. I know you don’t approve of it but it looked AMAZING. I love the swing out clyinder and the walnut grips. It just looks like its straight from a dirty harry movie. OK it shoots at 410 fps & the crosman can fire at 475 fps but is that much of a sacrifice for a beautiful gun. Also the R77 Gets more shots per CO2 Canister. I’m stuck… I dont know witch one choose!! Please Help

  54. Is there any site that has both the 357 6w and spare clips? I cant buy any spare clip on this site.

    Can I use other pellet type on this model other than wadcutter(like hollow head)?

    I e-mail pyramydair serveral times, but they just didn’t respond.

  55. B.B.

    Thanks for your opinion about the pellet.

    I tried the crosman site, I just could not find the “BUY” button to puchase it.

    I personally prefer the 6′ barrel. Otherwise I would have got the kit instead.

    And which pellet fit this gun better? Can I choose some heavy weight pellets?

  56. Well, I would expect Crosman pellets (except real Premiers that come in the cardboard box) will fit the best. But fit and accuracy are not always the same, so try many different kinds.

    You can shoot heavy pellets as long as they are not too long for the circular clip. I’s think 10.6-grain Kodiaks are going to be the limit.

    B.Bd

  57. B.B.
    Thanks for everything.

    I just found a new site, “thegunsouece.com”. The guns there are at least $10 cheaper…
    ( just let you know…)

    But anyway, I will buy it here because this site is reliable….

  58. Hey..
    I was going to buy a Crosman 357 Kit from Pyramidair… Until I found I haad to pay and EXTRA £50!!
    Was this a misprint b.b or are they Conning us all. Also.. I have noticed that some websites advertiste the Crosman 357GW kit… I this the same as the crosman 357 Kit??

  59. ps the only time you need to clean a co2 gun is if you shot it a lot and then just left it for a year if you do that co2 crap gets up in the barral and stuff or if you dry fired out say 40 shots of co2 when you where done now i know my case was rare but if you leave it a long time i would say run a swab or brush down the barral a few times

  60. Hi well i dont have mine yet but i,m waiting for it to come i,m super stoked cant wait much longer
    ps who ever it was who said that they could not find the clips on crosman they wer right i could not get them ether could you tell me where else i could get them thanks a lot love your blog keep it up

    SF airgunner

  61. The crosman model 357 silver series-8 which I ordered from an outlet in Wisconsin in the 1980’s I believe, no longer holds air for 4 months and the barrel latch button finally gave out( I repaired it with some sort of glue but it just came apart. I really like the revolver, at the time the made it with a brass
    barrel that easily slides in and out of the main barell enclosure. It is the eight inch version and all the parts is metal except the barrel latch button and I think what they call the cylinder plate part inside, and of course the rear sights and the grips. It was about 68.00 bucks at the time. Of course I’m getting a new version now. It was advertised at 475 fps, which seems to be a little less than my 1377c at full power.

  62. I have been shooting thisi model with open sight for a long time. I am trying to switch to red dot. But the red dot is always above the target about one inch. When I tried to aim higher, I could not see the atrget clearly through the scope. Can someone teach me how to shoot with a red dot sight???

    I am trying to put a red dot on my hipa 5.1. But I could only find the scope mount on some Hong Kong airsoft websites. Is there any site in US sells this item????

  63. I am taking for granted that you have used all the adjustment your dot sight has and you still have the problem?

    You can shim the front of the mount by sliding a thin piece of material like photographic film under the base before tightening it down. That will lower the strike of the round to coincide with the dot.

    B.B.

  64. i bought a 357 10 shot revolver took it home placed a co2 cartrige in it shot it no more than 20 times and then the next time i went 2 use it i placed the co2 cartrage in the gun it leaked and the co2 was empty in like 10 seconds. and the problem keeps happening ive wasted like 10 co2 cartrages i get like 2 shots off the who co2. whats wrong>? what do i need to do to fix it?

  65. B.B,
    myself ive owned a crossman 2100 and my father a 760. we do small game hunting with such things. i dought the 357 would penetrate an animal, but we need a small airpistol for a boyscout group practice. is this gun sutible for minors?
    also, where can i get a 357 in a store rather than online for just the gun, not the kit?
    thanks
    steamingspud

  66. i just relized a random fact…the 357 is not shown to have only the clip revolve and not the whole revolving cylinder, yet there is no part in the instructions that mentions that such a difference occurs. is this a show of low quality against a s$w??
    steamingspud

  67. Bought the gun kit 2 weeks ago…had to return it because of defective paint finish on the 8″ barrel. A week later, the replacement gun kit arrived…it also had the same defective paint finish on the 8″ barrel. Not only that, the 8″ attachment was missing the inner rifled steel barrel! Had enough, so I got a refund. Anybody else have similar experiences? By the way, the defective paint finish was always on the right side of the 8″ attachment where it comes in contact with the foam of the gun case. Such a shame…nice gun, nice price, but too much problems to deal with.

  68. steamingspud,

    I’m not sure I understand your comment. The 357 manual certainly does show how the clip works with the gun, and it is clearly not the entire cylinder. Why would that be “low quality?”

    This gun sells for a fraction of the price of the S&W 586. I think they do pretty well with the price point they have to work with.

    B.B.

  69. one question for B.B.
    I have both 357w (6′) and 1077 rifle. 357w has a V of 435 fps, and 1077 has 625 fps.

    How come my 1077 is weaker than the 357w?? I used same pellets and same co2 cartridges on both….something wrong with my 1077????

  70. To find posts dealing with these topics all you have to do is go to the the current blog page and type your question into the “Search” window.

    I did that and here is an entire post on the subject.

    /blog/2006/4/what-do-single-action-and-double-action-mean/

    B.B.

  71. B.B.

    I fired them towards a hard subject using RWS superpoint 8.2gr pellts at the same condition. The 357 made more damadge on the surfacc and the shape of the pellet chenged more…

    The sound(s) when the pellets impacted the furface are also different. 357 claerly made more noise whenever it fired or when the pellet hit the surface.

    Then I used hard papers to indicate the power(s). Pellets from 357w clearly penatranted more layers of papers than the ones from from 1077….

    so, for now, I have to use those 5.0gr round pellets on my 1077 to archieve the V and accuracy in long distance….

    If all the 1077s are like this, I have nothing to say. But if it is only happening on this gun, I will get a new one. less than $40 in k-mart….

  72. I have a Crosman 357 with a 6 inch barrel. I talked my mom into buying it for me on my twelfth birthday while we were at Walmart. My first air gun! That was eleven years ago.
    I would make a bullet trap with magazines inside a pizza box and duct tape it shut and sharpie a bullseye and shoot in the basement on rainy afternoons. And it’s seen lots of cans too. PLEASE DONT hunt with this pistol. I never have. It isn’t humane. Use something with more power. 800fps+ .22LR (28gr+) is a minimum for me.
    The pistol has easily seen 20,000 pellets (and bbs) through it now. GREAT PISTOL. My barrel latch wore out 6 months ago but I will have it fixed soon. It’s just way too much fun to let sit broken any longer, and I have a whole “arsenal” of firearms to choose from now.
    It’s a great first (or 20th) air pistol that will hopefully someday be my sons first air pistol. Definitely a BEST BUY!

  73. First off, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to provide more information on airguns than I ever dreamed existed!
    The crosman .357 was the third airgun I ever bought, at the age of 16 and after years of hard use,and I admit, abuse, it’s still amoung my favorites. Thousands of bbs and pellets later, it still does the job, my only two problams with it being a faulty latch I’m currantly replaceing and the front sight has been worn down from hundreds of draws from an uncle mikes holster.

  74. I bought the Crosman 357 with 6” barrel. in January 2007. Some may find it hard to believe but this was my first air gun. I am in my mid-50’s and have never shot a pistol until a friend brought his Crosman over. I really like this gun. It handles great. It feels good in my hand. Accurate enough for me to keep the shots in the middle of the target. I normally get 70 to 80 shots out of each C02. I bought 3 extra clips and that is worth the money to be able to shoot 50 shots before having to reload a clip. . I love the way it is adjustable for both windage and elevation. There are so many that don’t even have windage adjustment.. It is a great value for the money.
    As a side note. My son-in-law didn’t understand my enthusiasm for the pistol until he took me out to shoot his “real” 357. After seeing me group the shots instead of spraying them all around the target as he expected, knowing I had never shot a “real” gun before, he began to understand. After coming over to the house and shooting the Crosman and seeing the 13 year old grandson also shoot it he then understood. The gun is a great one for beginners, allows for proper gun safety teaching and practice away from a noisy firing line. Impressing your son-in-law is always a good thing.
    By the way. He went and bought a Crosman 357 the next day for him and his son to practice with. I believe they went through 750 pellets the first week! I believe he may be converted to “Air guns are good fun” now.

  75. I bought one of these when they first came out, waaay back in the early 80’s. My first air gun. I was a kid and thought I was Dirty Harry with this thing, even if it wasn’t a .44

    It had ‘wooden’ grips, without the finger molds like the latest one. Also its a 6 shot, not 10 like the latest one.

    I put it away for many years, and just recently dug it out and tried it again, only to find the CO2 leaked out of the seal so fast it made icicles. I’ve tried oiling the seal, but it still leaks.

    Is there any way to get a replacement seal, or is this thing just trash now? Its otherwise in perfect condition, I’d hate to see it end up as landfill.

  76. Where can I buy the 8″ barrel seperate from the 3576W gun and would it work with that? Also, where can I get a diagram and parts-list for the 3576W?

  77. B.B.

    I have a crosman 357. For this particular gun, what type of pellet would you suggest I use for the fastest and hardest shot, and where might I get them. I don’t want to lose any accuracey either.

    Doc

  78. The latch of my Crosman 357 does not work. It limps and does not engage with the barrel. It seems that the spring is gone though I never observed that it has one. Your advise on this please. Thanks

  79. I bought the 357 in a shopping mall here in the Philippines a year ago and seldom was this used. So the problem could not be as a result of uage. I suspect that the latch spring might have been broken. Do you have a 357 with you? Could you please check the kind of spring the latch has and where it is connected? How do I get in touched with Crosman? Thanks a lot.

  80. The Crosman 357 4, 6, and 8–3578T(accur-eight) has a small block of hard rubber or neoprene underneath the barrel latch. This forces the barrel latch upwards, thus acting as the spring. This block perishes over time. A replacement can be carved from a sheet of similar material, using a craft knife. I can supply the dimensions if needed. These are excellent pistols, I have been collecting and using them for almost two decades. A.J.-New Zealand

  81. I think I should mention that if you are contemplating removing the Receiver(frame) cover plate screws, you MUST remove the full or partially empty Co2 cylinder from the weapon FIRST! A.J.

  82. B.B.,

    The barrel latch spring dimensions referred to in my previous post are:
    7/32 in. wide x 11/64 in. high (or 3/16 in. for a tighter spring) x 7/16 in. long. The top inside face can be chamfered to make insertion easier. This spring (part no. 357-021) is placed between the cylinder plate (357-035) and the barrel latch (357-020), and can be viewed in the 357 evp2 diagram in the pistol manual section under customer service, at the Crosman website. My field repair for this is usually a chunk of rubber carved from a discarded 4×4 tyre tread.

    When I’m faced with a CO2 leak, I remove the powerlet and the frame side cover, spray all the internals with silicon based lubricant, fit an old side cover with access holes drilled so I can see the transfer tube connection points and valve body ends. Then I fit an empty powelet that has been drilled through in a convenient place, and has a valve fitted. 20 to 50 p.s.i. of air goes in, the gun is submerged in water, and any air leaks are usually visible.
    The previous silicon spray helps when drying the gun out with compessed air.

    A safe temporary repair for leaks is to dismantle the relevant area and rub some silicone rubber gasket sealant into the seal. This works 99.9% of the time for me. The other .1% involves buying new seals and fitting them – when you live on a South Pacific Island you learn to make do with whatever you can get your hands on!
    I hope this information will help Ernest, and anyone else with Crosman 357 problems.

    As an aside, does anyone know how many p.s.i. of CO2 is in a new powerlet?

    Regards,
    A.J.

  83. A.J.,

    Thanks for all those details. I’m sure our handier readers will uise them.

    A fresh powerlet has 853 psi at 70 degrees F. As the gas is used, the liquid evaporates and replaces it, so the pressure remains constant. When the last liquid is gone, the pressure starts dropping fast.

    B.B.

  84. I’ve been looking at getting a new CO2 powered pistol for some time now as my old one (Crosman 1088) has been giving me problems. I finally decided on the 357 after reading this blog among other things. I also read some good reviews on the reviewcentre site as well.

    I ordered one last night from The Gun Source because Pyramyd AIR was out of stock and I did not want to wait any longer. I live in the country and use it for various critters…mostly to scare them off, but occasionally to kill them. Things like snakes, etc.

    I’m sure I will figure it out when I finally received the gun in the mail, but are the sites adjustable like on my old 1088?

    Thanks in advance for the info and I look forward to giving more comments once I finally receive my gun and start using it.

  85. It’s a shame about the 8 inch barrel not being available anymore and I haven’t been able to find one anywhere.

    I did receive my crosman 357 via Fedex about two weeks ago now. I had some trouble sighting it in cos when I first got it the wind blew so hard for about a week it was useless to seriously try.

    When I finally had relatively wind free day I set out to adjust the sights and had more trouble. It seems that there is a spot on the sight adjustment for up and down where the windage adjustment is loose. It took awhile to figure this out, but finally I adjusted the up and down where it was screwed down completely so the windage adjustment was tight as well. I made the windage adjustment, then a slight adjust on the heighth and it seems to be working remarkably. I will undoubtedly tweak it a little more in the weeks to come, but I am very satisfied with it.

    Now..I suppose I can order parts for my old 1088 so I can try to refurbish it. What do you think?

    Thanks for info and help.

    Jack

  86. I’ve had my 357 since about 1984, but it did sit in a closet for about 15 years, so probably only has 1500 shots thru it.

    I had the barrel latch spring problem, and fixed it with a carved piece of old tire…now it has a failed cartridge seal, not too bad after 23 years! Maybe I should get new seals, but I always thought the gun was cheap and not really satisfying to shoot, so I ordered an S&W 586-8 yesterday!

    I did always leave the cartridge in, as I needed instant availability for garden pests. I used to get 1.5 inch groups at 15 yds from a bench, hope the S&W will do somewhat better.

    Jay

  87. Squirrel,

    My friend has killed a squirrel with a Crosman 357, but it had a slow death over about one week. I DO NOT recommend doing this for this is cruel and inhumane!

    Safe shooting,
    Jack

  88. Hey B.B.,

    I am not sure where on this blog I found this, but I remember one time that you said ALL CO2 air guns have a velocity decrease in double action vs. single action, and you said there might be one or two that you missed, well here that one is. I have done extensive testing on my Crosman 357 and even on a 32 degree F. day I will get about 400-430 on double action and about 420-430 on single action for the first 30 or so shots, consistently. Of course, every now and then the double action went slower than the single action (average) at times, however the single action, sometimes, went slower than the double action. I would say that single action has a tighter deviation spread in my gun, but the double action appears to be the same. Good job Crosman! Testing was done with a Chrony F-1 Chronograph at the muzzle. Thanks for your contribution to this blog, I appreciate it!

    Jack

  89. I got my Crosman .357 from a guy who bought it in 1987, as old as it is it still shoots perfectly even through the grip is a little loose, I can even do a head shot on a sparrow at about 15 feet with it, it is the most PERFECT pellet gun you could ever get.

    Rob

  90. how does this compare to the Crossman 1377c? I am contemplating on purchasing one of the two but cannot decide which one to get. This will be my first air pistol. Any tips are greatly appreciated.

    -Mason

  91. -Mason,

    The 357 is a CO2 gun, so its power depends on the pressure of the gas. CO2 maintains constant pressure at a given temperature, but is not useful at or below 50 degrees F. So it’s more of a warm-weather gun, only.

    The 1377c is a multi-pump pneumatic, so the shooter controls the power by the number of pumps he puts in the gun. Air doesn’t change pressure as readily with temperature changes, so this kind of gun can be used in very cold weather. This model is also considerably more powerful than the 357.

    The 357 is a repeater, giving fast repeat shots. The 1377 is a pump gun, giving one powerful shot at a time.

    B.B.

  92. B.B.,

    Thanks for the detailed follow up, actually I’ve been reading and reading up on both guns for quite a while. As far as durability goes, which of the two come out on top? Would you recommend one over the other? I live in a fairly warm area so the CO2 issue shouldn’t be a problem. Thanks again. You’re a great help.

    -Mason

  93. The 1377 will definitely be the more durable because it isn’t a repeater. You can leave one pump of air in the gun at all times, which should make it last for at least 20 years, if not twice that.

    My Sheridan Blue Streak is now 30 years old and it still works perfectly.

    B.B.

  94. B.B.
    i am currently debating between the crosman 357w and the walther redstorm. they are both inexpensive, but i was concerned about accuracy.

    which is more accurate?

    thanks

    joe

  95. I love the Crossman 3576W but, HELP!! The triger spring popped out of place and I cannot figgure ou hoe to get it in correctly. I only get single action unless I push the trigger forward into place. Anybody know what I’m doing wrong.

  96. B.B.

    How would you compare this gun to the Gamo Wheel Gun?

    Just curious because I have one, the R-77 Classic with the 6" barrel & wood grips & I love it!
    (Not as much as my 586-6, but still a great gun!)

    In fact, I like it so much, that I auctually got the Pachmayr style rubber grips & put wood grips away in safe storage.

    – The BBA –

  97. BBA,

    The Crosman will feel more toylike than the R77. The R77 is a weaker gun, but the 6-inch version is the most powerful of the three versions.

    The Crosman should shoot better than the Gamo for several reasons. The Gamo distorts the pellet in the cylinder and the cylinder moves when the gun is fired.

    B./B.

  98. B.B.

    I have noticed both of those things with the Gamo, & while granted I haven't shot the Gamo in quite a while, I DO remember it being pretty accurate.

    Maybe I just got lucky?

    I don't have the Crosman, but I do have the 586-6 along with my Gamo R77 with the 6" barrel, & since they both have 6" barrels, maybe I'll have to compare the accuracy between the Gamo & the 586-6

    I'll post my results later, although I'm sure YOU probably already know what they'll be. 😉

    Unfortunately, I don't have any CPH or R-10s in stock right now, so the best pellets I DO have to test with, are the RWS Hobby, Beeman Kodiack EH, Diabolo Exact Heavy, & CPL (7.9 gr) pellets that I can try.

    Any of those in particular you'd like to see tested?

    – The BBA –

  99. B.B.

    With both guns shooting around 400fps give or take, those were my first choice since I don't have any R-10s.

    I'll try those & we'll see what happens.

    The 586-6 is a little more powerful, & being a considerably more expensive gun, I'd hope it would be more accurate, but from what I remember, the Gamo was the more accurate one, but I'll find out for sure & post my results.

    If my memory is right on that, then the expense is in the all metal & sturdy design.

    Even if the Crosman & Gamo ARE more accurate, the 586-6 is still a great gun. It's the most realistic 357 replica I've seen & felt so far.

    Now that my curiosity has been peaked on this, I wish I had a Crosman to test too, but I'll test my Gamo & 586-6 for accuracy with both those pellets, & we'll see what happens.

    I'll be back with my results in the next couple of days.

    Thanks for the input.

    – The BBA –

  100. OK, the results are in!

    I tried both the RWS Hobby & the CP 7.9 gr in my Gamo R77 6" & my S&W/Umarex 586-6 & guess what…

    It's too close to call, right down to the pellets too!

    Both guns consistently shot groups of 1/2" rested at 12' & surprisingly to me… the CPs did as well as the Hobbys!

    I shot two targets with each pellet & each gun, for a total of four targets per gun, & the results were pretty much identical.

    The best group WAS shot with the Gamo, but not by much. An 1/8" better if that.
    Maybe I just got lucky & got one of the really good R77s.

    I really thought the 586-6 would shoot a little tighter than the Gamo, but it didn't.

    Both guns shot surprisingly well though.

    I think the only way to REALLY test them, would be to use some high quality 10 meter match pellets, like the RWS R-10s or maybe the RWS Meisterkugeln Pistol 7.0 gr pellets & maybe shoot a little farther away.

    I usually try to test pistols of that type at 15 to 25 feet with open sights, but at the time, I only had 12 feet available.

    BTW… What do you think is the right distance to test those types of pistols? 15, 20, 25 feet?

    Other pistols like the 78G, MK1, SSP2250, ect., I would go 25 to 50 feet with open sights.

    FYI… I'll be picking both of those pellets up in my next order with PA, so if I see a difference, I'll post it up.

    Anyhow, there ya have it.

    I will add that neither of these guns had more than 100 pellets through them yet, so if breaking them in would make much of a difference, keep that in mind.

    P.S. If anyone wants me to test velocity, let me know & I'll break out the chrony.

    – TheBBA –

  101. B.B.

    I had a feeling you'd say that.
    That's why I asked what distance YOU thought I should test them at.

    It was at night time so I had to do it in the garage, which is a little cluttered right now.

    I also forgot to metion that those targets were shot standing up & only semi rested.
    Not sitting down with a full solid rest, so I'd bet at that distance & probably even 15' that they're capable of 3/8"

    I'll wait until my days off & try it agin outside, but this time I'll go for a 10 meter test, with ten meter pistol targets & a better rested position, & then post my results on THAT. 😉

    Thanks for the input,

    – The BBA –

  102. hey guys, i have a quick question. can the gamo round balls (or any other type) be shot in the 357? or, before that, can the round ball fit in the magazine? i guess i’ll also ask if the round ball can be compatible with the 1088. ok, thanks.

  103. Well B.B.

    So HERE IT IS… I tested the Gamo R-77 6" Wheel Gun against the S&W 686-6 again, & this time it was at 30 feet & as expected, the 686 DID do better than the Gamo.

    With a full rest using CP 7.9gr I was able to get groups of 1/2 to a little wider with the Gamo, & 3/8 to 1/2 with the 686-6.

    In my humble opinion, I think that's pretty good from BOTH guns.
    Now I'd just like to see what they can do at 50 & 100 feet.

    It was getting cold out & velocities were dropping, so I had to stop. But when the temperature goes back up in a couple of months, I'd really like to see what these two six shooters can do at a distance. Especially the 686-6.

    I have no doubt that both of them will shoot under 1" at 50 feet all day long (with the 686-6 closer to 1/2"), & that soda & beer cans wouldn't stand a chance from either of them at 100 feet, with a skilled shooter behind them.

    I'm also thinking that with the 686-8" (instead of the 6") with a hot valve from Mac-1 & a nice pistol scope, & some RWS R-10 match pellets, you could have a LOT of fun with it.

    In summary, my conclusion is that I still think the Gamo wheel gun is a great value for the money, but the S&W 686 series really shines, is the best quality all around 357 replica, & well worth the extra money!
    I think that Umarex did a great job with it, & THAT gun will always stay in my collection! 🙂

    So there ya have it. Let me know what YOU think. 🙂

    – The BBA –

  104. BBA,

    What I think is that you are getting wonderful performance from that 6-inch Gamo revolver. Way better than I would have expected. I never tested the 6-inch R77, only the other two. I guess I missed the best of the bunch.

    Of course the S&W is one of the best modern CO2 handguns, regardless of the criteria. So the Gamo is pitted against the champ.

    B.B.

  105. B.B.

    Yep, that's what I've been saying all along. I'm VERY surprised at just how well it performs. I NEVER would have guessed it to perform as well as it does. Who knows, maybe I just got lucky & got a good one?
    I just bought it because I thought it was a good looking gun for the money. The wood grips & FULL swing out cylinder are rare these days, & the 6" barrel was nice too.
    BTW… If you'd like me to send it to you so you can try it out, just let me know. It would be my pleasure. I'd be very interested to see what YOU think about it.

    I also want to add that it's more powerful than I expected, AND gets a lot of shots per CO2, more than the S&W, which REALLY makes me want to chrony them now, & I will!
    BTW, an odd thing that I noticed, was when it was cold outside the other day when I did that test, is that the Gamo was a lot less sensitive to the cold as opposed to the S&W which I thought was strange. The Gamo shot strong, while the S&W seemed noticeably weaker than normal in the cold weather.
    So noticeable in fact, that I think something may be wrong with my S&W. I actually move indoors to do the test so i could control the environment/temperature.
    I'll have to chrony both of them either on a warm day, or indoors in the next few days for so I can see if I have a problem with the S&W, & I'm curious to see what fps both of them shoot. I think that it will be interesting to see what fps & how many shots per CO2 they both get.
    Any way you slice it, the Gamo was a pleasant surprise as far as looks, power, & accuracy, especially for the price. It's a shame they don't make them anymore.

    I'll have to test that out & post what I find for everyone.

    P.S.

    I do want to say though, that as surprising as the Gamo has been, I still love & prefer the S&W 586-6 & will always keep it in my collection. In fact, my three favorite Umarex pistols so far, are that one, my Colt 1911 (I have the Nickle & wood one, & it is gorgeous!) & also the Magnum Research Desert Eagle too.
    Don't get me wrong, it's no Crosman 600 or 451, but it IS the best currently produced blowback pistol I've shot so far. The PX4 isn't bad, but it doesn't come anywhere near as close to the power & accuracy of the Deagle. I even took the laser off my C11 Tactical & mounted it on the bottom rail of that Deagle, & it was just what the doctor ordered. 😉 It made it a really fun gun to shoot, & the blowback has a real nice & realistic kick to it too. One more pistol people should keep in mind.

    I wasn't THAT impressed with the CP99, but I love the three above AND… The Walther Lever Action CO2 Rifle… AWESOME! Just awesome!
    Now THAT is a work of art, & out of all my rifles, it is without a doubt, my favorite backyard plinker. They really did a great job with that one!In my opinion, the looks, accuracy & action are really nice.
    That gun & the Gamo Rocker Pellet Trap = a whole bunch of fun! 🙂

    Nuff for now. I'll be back with my results in few days.

    – The BBA –

  106. I haven’t fully read the blog if someone already asked, but can the co2 be stored in the gun for a while? of course, with the pellgun oil. also, can that be applied to the others guns? like the c-31 and t4. ok, thanks.

  107. I store all my CO2 guns with gas in them. Crosman recommends not to for liability reasons. A charged gun is a loaded gun.

    But I will admit there are a few CO2 guns that don’t do well with gas left in them. The Crosman 38 T and C revolvers are guns you should not leave charged. If you are in doubt, follow the instructions.

    As for the Leapers adaptor mount filling, some say yes and other say no. I haven’t tried it, so I don’t know.

    Use the lowest rings you can and still have clearance for the scope’s objective bell. With pistol scopes that would be medium rings.

    B.B.

  108. I actually answered all your questions. A pellet pistol is always more accurate than a BB pistol. So the 357 will be more accurate than the C11. But a BB pistol will out-penetrate a pellet pistol. So the C11 out-penetrates the 357.

    B.B.

  109. hello everyone, I’m kinda new to airguns and co2 guns, and i have a question. The standard crosman 12 gram carts are usable to any gun right? well, the co2 bb pistols. like for example, a daisy 15xt can accept the crosman 12 grams? or does it have to be the daisy 12 g.? i also heard that the pelgunoil works on everything except pcps, so i don’t have to worry much with the seals. but then some people say that some 12 grams are either a little bit smaller or bigger, or that bb guns differ from it’s cartridge holders(the place where the cartridges are stored). I don’t mean to confuse, but i guess to make it short, the crosman carts can work on any co2 pistol, right? thanks, take care.

  110. CO2 cartridges are completely interchangeable, just as AA batteries are interchangeable. Only Crosman actually makes CO2 cartridges, of all the airgun manufacturers. They produce them for Daisy and others. The cartridge conforms to a cooperative specification, so they all interchange.

    As for the recommendations to only use this or that cartridge, it’s the same as every other product of the market. They all tell you to use theirs only.

    So yes, a Daisy 15XT will take a Crosman cartridge. What you read on the internet about variations is just idle talk.

    B.B.

  111. I notice that the sights are picky! I have to adjust them to shoot at 10 yards when I was shooting at a target 30 yards away! Consistently shoots to the bottom left if I dont adjust! Anyone else find this to be a problem, know why this is happening or have a solution? Makes it difficult to pick off annoying pests when i have to gauge how far the critter is and adjust – it becomes impossible and laborious!

  112. The difference in sight parallax between 10 and 30 yards is HUGE! In fact, that is the worst two ranges for sights. 100-to 200 yards is simple compared to close shots like you are making.

    There is nothing wrong with your gun. It’s simply the distance involved.

    B.B.

  113. I am, by no means a blogger, but WOW, congratulations on keeping a thread going three years.
    I’ve been shooting the 357 for 20+ yrs, and my fourth unit just gave up the ghost after unknown thousands of rounds. I stumbled on your site, looking for a replacement. Wasn’t even sure it was still made(last one bought in the early 90’s). It sounds like they are still making a good product. I’m excited to try the latest version with the combat grips, even more closely resembling my python.
    Thanks for the entertaining read!

  114. Anonymous going on his 5th 357 in 20 years,

    Great story of your passion for this fine gun. Such a great copy of the colt python.

    WOW has a lot changed in airguns since your purchased your last 357 in the early 90’s. I’m going to give you a link to the current comments under todays (Wednesday, January 28, 2009) topic. Lot of great comments from airgunners like yourself talking about their old time favorites and new guns that they really like. Be careful, reading these comments may lead to another airgun purchase that you may like as well as your trusty 357! You’ll need to copy and paste this link since this blog won’t allow a direct link. Here it is:

    /blog//

    Hope to see you there!

    kevin

  115. When I rapid fire one of two new 357's only the first three fire with full pressure. the next two barely push the pellet out of the barrel. If I wait a few seconds it'll fire the same way again.
    Any idea what the problem is?
    Seenyr

  116. Seenyr ,

    I know exactly what it is. The CO2 cartridge isn't being pierced deeply enough for the gas to flow fast enough to keep up with your shooting.

    Here is the test. Fire a pellet every 30 seconds and it will be powerful each and every time. Then fire six pellets as fast as you can pull the trigger and only the first and maybe the second one will be powerful.

    Then set the gun aside for another 30 seconds and fire again. It will be powerful once more.

    Please conduct this test and tell me if I am right.

    B.B.

  117. My 357 is about 8 years old and had the latch spring issue. Inserted a piece of mouse pad and back in business. Problem is that after every few shots, the latch loosens a bit and gun looses power and shoots low since the barrel is now angled down slightly. Pushing up on the barrel every few shots is a pain. Looking at the actual latch where it contacts the barrel, the wedge is angled such that it will want to pull away on its own. THinking about trying to file the wedge square but don't want to ruin the latch. Any suggestions?

  118. Hi Josh,

    Looks to me like NOS ("New Old Stock".

    Probably an older model of the same gun, judging by the grips.

    A lot of companies will buy NOS & sell it as new, which although it is probably pretty old,
    it is legal & probably new. Just an old version that sat in a warehouse for a few years.

    Personally, I'd buy the new version from PA with the Packmyre style grips. They're a lot
    more comfortable.

    Take a look…

    /product/crosman-357w-airgun-revolver?m=201

    These grips are a LOT more comfortable & will probably even make it easier to shoot more accurately.

    Just my $0.02

    I'm sure B.B. will confirm or deny this & tell us the
    real deal.

    Hope that helps for now,

    TheBBA

  119. Josh,

    BBA was right. Those grips are not wood, they are the old style plastic. Smaller dealers can have difficulty moving stocks of guns, OR (and I think this is the case here) they are showing the old photo but selling the newer gun. IT departments have a heck of the time staying current with design changes.

    B.B.

  120. Hey BB, its Josh again, do you know if there are replacement grips for the Crosman 357? Also, do you know of any Internet sites that still sell the 357GW Kit or the 4" and 8" barrels seperately? I can't seem to find any. Thanks in advance

    Josh

  121. Hey guys, I have a problem with my Crosman 357 6-shooter. I was cleaning it one day after shooting it around a bit, and it suddenly released all the CO2 through the barrel and the inside of the gun. I have no idea what caused it. I recently tried to put in a new CO2 cartridge and it all leaked out the barrel in a few seconds. Could this be because it wasn't in safe mode, or is it a serious seal problem? I haven't tried putting Pellgunoil on the seals or the tip of the cartridge, but I think that's what I'll do. I don't want to buy new seals, so I'm trying my best to fix it with what I've got.

  122. It's too late for Pellgunoil now. Your seal has let go and the only solution is to replace it. You sound like you know what you are doing, so I won't bother with where to get seals.

    The safety had nothing to do with this.

    Next time use Pellgunoil before this happens.

    B.B.

  123. BB, maybe you can settle a bet for me.

    My friend is shooting BBs out of his 357. (Why, I don't know.)

    I told him that this was nuts and will strip the rifling from the barrel. Is that correct?

  124. hi im new to the airgun pistol thing,wot is the best alround pellet for the crosman 357/6inch i bought marksman pointed pellets and found that most of them are miss shaped then i bought crosman premiem super point pellets.just want to no wot are the best for this gun?(verlocity&accuracey)

  125. thanks for the info bb but i miss lead you.im not shoting targets,im shoting birds at 10ft but i cant seem to get them ether there to fast or im a crap aim,i wanted a pellet that will kill it quick one shot to the head bag then in to the woods for the fox,i live in a flat in england southampton the pests keep sh**ing on my landen and making a mess.i need a pellet that is powerful as well as accurate.somthing amazing destroy kill blast to the past.thanks for the quick reply.

  126. thanks for the info,will try them.bit of a dumb question but i dont no how to adjust the sights how do you do this in lame terms and as simple as pos please.realy new to this airgun thing.tryed to follow some on the net but could not follow it,it didnt make sense.thanks again you have been a great help

  127. Let's forget about adjusting the sights. The real question is where should you aim to hit your target. So draw an oval the size of a grape and practice holding the sights in different places until you can always hit the target at the distance at which you will be shooting.

    B.B.

  128. B.B.

    You said;

    "At close range nothing is better for small game than a wadcutter."

    I have to ask… Is this because they won't just go flying through simply making a hole in the game & instead will stay IN the game,
    PLUS & more importantly, have more impact & deliver more shock?

    BBA

  129. Big Bore Addict,

    I don't have an exact way to prove the truth of that statment, but try shooting both types of pellets into some balls made out of moddling clay about the size of baseballs.

    Then let me know what you think.

    Mr B.

  130. Mr. B

    Well… without trying it, I would venture to guess that the pointed would penetrate further, not getting much larger, & the wadcutters would flatten out & increase in size,
    which says what I said in my question about the wadcutters delivering a harder impact with more shock, hence more killing power, while the pointed would be more likely to go right through the pest & just make a hole,
    which could wind up just leaving a non-lethal open wound which the animal may survive.

    BBA

  131. Big Bore Addict,

    You're absolutly right! I have a very quiet Talon SS with an AirHog shroud and a wadcutter makes a much louder thwack when it hits a starling or grackel than does a pointed or diabolo pellet.

    Mr B.

  132. Seemed like common sense to me, but thanks for clarifying that guys.

    Anyone like Crow Magnums, & if so, at what ranges & what fps do they perform their best for both accuracy & knock down power?

    I have some in .177 .22 & .25 calibers, but haven't had the chance to really give them a good testing out yet.

    I have the new Sumatra 2500 500cc in .25 cal. I'm hoping I can get good results with them in,
    since it has the power I'm guessing they probably need, to really open up wide & do maximum damage.

    BBA

  133. BBA

    I have some crowmagnums in .177 that someone gave me. I have a 1377, a Discovery, an IZH 61, and an TX200 all in .177 and none of my guns like them. Still accurate enough for putting down tree rats at 10-15 yards no problem.

    I like that gun of yours. Just the thing to get one addicted to big bores, no? How does she shoot? I'm guessing you're chomping at the bit to try some CPs in .25 soon?

    BTW To get the most responses from a variety of folks I would consider posting a question like this on the current blog

    /blog//

    There are over a thousand of these old blogs in the archives. People look at em sure, but only sporadically.

    I tend to put on-topic observations on old posts, but any questions or off-topic stuff on the new blog. That's just me, I'm not trying to scold you or anything.

  134. Hey Mike!

    Hope all has been well.

    To answer your question, I've had the same experience with crow magnums as Slinging Lead both in .177 and .22 calibers. For a heavy pellet the kodiaks or new jsb heavies (not the monsters) are my favorite.

    kevin

  135. Slinging Lead,

    First you're right. I should have posted this in the current blog, but this was an on going post & I forgot.

    You're not scolding me, in fact it's a good reminder & a great point, because by doing what you say, more people will be able to benefit from the answers.

    As for the pellets, that's a bummer to hear, because I hear they expand better than any other HP out there.

    Well then, if the Crow Magnums don't have any decent range with accuracy, what's the best HP that does? Or… What has the best knock down or stopping/killing power then, that DOES have some range in accuracy to them?

    Please let me know what you think, & thanks!
    ——————————————————————-

    KEVIN!

    How ya doing!

    So same question to you too.
    I know the Kodiacks & JSB's are great, but what out there will really have some serious knock down/killing power & are STILL accurate out to 50 yards plus?
    Silver Bears, Predators? Also has anyone had any experience with the Crosman Destroyers yet?

    Let me know & thanks,

    BBA

  136. BBA

    I have some RWS hollowpoints in .22 that shoot very accurately from my Diana 52. Frankly, I haven't shot them at 50 yards yet. All my other guns seem to hate RWS pellets.

    I have heard that the predators are very lethal. Like most pellets, I suspect some rifles will shoot them well, others won't. I'd give them a try. You never know might shoot well in a particular gun.

    Have you read this article titled "Do Hollowpoint pellets Work?"

    /blog/2007/1/do-hollowpoint-pellets-work/

    BB shoots a domed pellet as a control and it mushroomed quite a bit. A softer lead pellet would probably mushroom the most. I think JSBs are pretty soft.

    Keep on shootin'

  137. Mike,

    I owe you an apology.

    I read your post to fast and didn't realize that you're trying to get some tips on the most accurate pellet with most knockdown power for your new .25 caliber sumatra.

    Let me back up a little. I think your firearm background is forcing you to place to much emphasis on an airgun projectile that will mushroom/open up. I got caught in this thinking.

    Here's my take. Typical airgun targets are small game. SMALL game. Shot placement with and airgun is more important than expansion of your projectile. In other words, the most accurate pellet wins hands down over BC or head type (hollowpoint, soft tip, etc.) especially when you're talking about 50 yard accuracy.

    I'm trying to talk you into first testing round nose pellets in your sumatra since they are typically the most accurate in airguns at long ranges.

    Earlier this week Harry (Yraah) published his .25 caliber shooting experiment at 202 yards with the new jsb king pellet. His .25 caliber JB BSA Hornet generates 900 fps at the muzzle with the new JSB Kings and the accuracy was impressive. The new 25.4 gr jsb kings should be on your list of pellets to test.

    I look for the heaviest pellet THAT'S STILL ACCURATE AT 50 YARDS in my guns when determining the ideal hunting pellet.

    Don't overlook the 4 new .25 caliber pellets that were introduced at the SHOT Show, including the new crosman pellet, when you test for the heaviest, most accurate pellet.

    kevin

  138. Mike,

    There are some folks that hang out on TalonAirgun.com who do alot of shooting with the .25 caliber Condor. There is alot of talk there about the "best" pellet to use. Also someone there was casting and selling pellets primarly designed for hunting–if I'm remembering right which can sometimes be problematic.

    In reference to what Kevin said about shot placement: my personal philosophy when hunting is to think about shooting a charging bull elephant with a 450 stopping rifle. I've got many thousands of foot pounds of energy, but if I miss his little brain he'll stomp me into the ground.

    To cleanly and humainly kill small game with a pellet rifle you need the same type of philosophy. The pellet has to hit the woodchuck's brain to drop him with an instant kill.

    Please let us know what you decide.

    Mr B.

  139. First, thanks for the great replies, guys, I really appreciate the help. Now…

    Sling Lead,

    Yes I read that article, BUT, it's just like B.B. said…

    "It generates more questions than it answers. For example, with a given pellet, at what velocity does it start deforming? How accurate are these pellets at a given range? And so on."

    Which makes what Kevin says about shot placement being the most important factor a very good point, since we are typically dealing with small game.
    So now, from looking at that article & taking what Kevin said into mind… I have to lean towards what is the most accurate pellet in the gun,
    but my whole point of these questions are to try & find that extra little edge, with having a pellet that will do that little extra damage, that will come in handy when you don't always have a clean shot of where you'd optimally like to place it.
    To me as well as most I'm sure will agree, accuracy is 99% of it, but if I can get accuracy AND a pellet that will help if I can't get a clean shot at the best kill zone (due to branches in the way etc.), NOW you have it all. 🙂
    In other words, if you place the shot well, it really doesn't matter that much, BUT… if you don't or can't hit the sweet spot, that's where the pellet that will mushroom the best or have the best knock down power will make the difference,
    which is the main reason I'm curious about the hunting pellets that are supposed to mushroom the best &/or have the best knock down power &/or will deliver the most damage.
    Which address's Mr. B's point about head shots, BUT like I said… sometimes you just don't always have a shot at that sweet spot or a head shot to take, which is why I'm looking for that extra edge from the pellet.

    Mr. B,

    Yes, I have been trying Kodiack & Kodiack match first in my .25 cal Sumatra, along with the heavy Eun Jins, & then I will try the Crow Magnums,
    & in .22 cal. the Predators & Silver Bears lastly, to see what will do best at what distances, as far as accuracy is concerned. (I'm also VERY interested in .22 cal as well.)

    Kevin,

    "I look for the heaviest pellet THAT'S STILL ACCURATE AT 50 YARDS in my guns when determining the ideal hunting pellet."

    Funny you say that, because that HAS been what I've been doing, but I've heard a lot of people swear by some of the hollow points, which is WHY I find myself asking… IS the heaviest pellet the best, or is a great hollow point better?

    So… THAT is the question! 😉

    P.S.

    Kevin,

    I was at the shot show but must have missed that… What are the 4 new .25 cal. pellets?

    Thanks,

    BBA

  140. BBA

    Mike, I didn't mention accuracy because was thinking along the lines of best mushrooming/fragmenting pellet WITH A GIVEN ACCURACY. The best mushrooming action is pointless if it hits the tree rather than the buck-toothed devils. Which gets back to the question you asked of Kevin.

    "IS the heaviest pellet the best, or is a great hollow point better?"

    The best pellet is the most accurate. You then take the best performers in accuracy and then break them down by deformation/fragmentation. Owners of the rifle you own can give you examples of what works in their rifles, which you can use as examples to try first. But your rifle is different from theirs in a hundred subtle ways. My Discovery (OK technically it's my fiance's) hates every single pellet anyone has ever recommended for Discoveries. What does it like? The cheap crosman pointed hunter pellets in the milk box and pretty much nothing else. Do you know how long it took me to figure that out? Forever.

    BBs question about speed needed to achieve deformation, is moot in this case because you are talking about a Sumatra. Even at 50 yards, your pellet will not be tapping the target, it will still have much force. BTW why are you concerned about maximum killing power from a .25 Sumatra? Unless you are going after Rhinos, I don't think you have much to worry about!

    You went to the SHOT show? Lucky dog! The big news in .25 pellets is the new Crosman Premier in .25 I referenced a few posts earlier. Gamo is also introducing 3 new .25 pellets. Two of them lead free. I'm Slinging Lead, not Slinging PBA, so I don't care about them.

    What rifle do you have in .22?

  141. Hey Mike,

    Wish I could have been at the shot show with you. B.B. did a two part series and a podcast on what he saw at the shot show and they're all very interesting. Incredible number of new airgun products. Exciting.

    Not counting the new jsb kings in .25 caliber, gamo is introducing 3 new pellets in .25 (Pro Magnum's and Raptor Platinum's are two of them) and Crosman is introducing a new .25 caliber pellet.

    I think I noticed that you tried the air venturi 61 grain bullet that PA sells in both of your .25 caliber guns? These 61 grain bullets wouldn't even exit the barrel of your sumatra? Interesting how some sumatras (like Rick Petersons) shoot these well and other (mostly newer) sumatras don't.

    This leads me back to our heavy vs. hollowpoint discussion.

    First a little background on where I'm coming from. Back in the late 70's and early 80's I was a guide/outfitter in Colorado. This was in the day when we had 3 rifle seasons for big game. That means I had 3 sets of clients every year and inevitably we would have at least one discussion about knock down power and bullet expansion. Those many discussions along with real world experience has forged my beliefs.

    You said "…my whole point of these questions are to try & find that extra little edge, with having a pellet that will do that little extra damage, that will come in handy when you don't always have a clean shot…" and you said, "… if I can get accuracy AND a pellet that will help if I can't get a clean shot at the best kill zone (due to branches in the way etc.),…" and also said, "…if you don't or can't hit the sweet spot, that's where the pellet that will mushroom the best or have the best knock down power will make the difference.."

    Mike, I was fanatical in my preaching to clients about only taking clean shots. If you don't have a clean shot wait until you do or pass on the shot. Inevitably you will miss the mark because of buck fever or a deflection in cover. With a deflection in can be argued that a heavier bullet destablizes less. In my experience a deflection from tree trunks, branches, etc. can go anywhere. If you end up hitting the game you're lucky and even with a solid bullet (read round nose pellet) you get deformity that does more damage, especially at the entrance, than a soft tip or nosler that hit undeflected.

    Here's my short answer. Only take shots where you know you can hit a nickel 19 out of 20 times. This means using the heaviest pellet and knowing where your poa vs. poi is at every distance you shoot. It also means not taking the shot if you have to shoot through heavy brush or alot of tree limbs. Wait for a clear shot.

    If you can't hit a nickel 19 out of 20 times at the distance your game is located it doesn't matter whether you're shooting a hollow point or something else. If you can hit a nickel 19 out of 20 times your shot placement, not style of pellet, will guarantee a good kill.

    Wish I could recommend the heaviest, most accurate pellet in your sumatra. But, the 61 gr air venturi bullet test proved that even sumatras are pellet picky. The good news is that you've got some new .25 caliber pellets to test.

    kevin

  142. Slinging Lead,

    B.B. will tell you that you'll never get an argument from me about accuracy. That IS the most important thing no doubt. I was just looking for what most consider to be the best, or have had the best luck with mushrooming HP's, so I'd have an idea what to try, without having to buy a ton of different ones.

    I know all guns are different & like different pellets, but if someone told me that most people they new had the best luck with X,Y,& Z pellets, than that would help slim it down for me, that's all.

    I completely agree with you about the Sumatra & it's power, but again… I'm just looking for that extra edge that a good HP might deliver.
    But with that in mind & that in .25 cal there's not many choices, so I'm most curios about .22 cal. especially for the .22 calibers I have that are not that powerful.

    I've had a number of .22 cal rifles, but currently I have these;

    Marauder
    B-40 tuned by Mike Melick
    Mendoza RM-2000 (the 7 shot repeater)
    RWS 850 Magnum
    Crosman 400, 99, 160, 180
    A Chinese underlever (I think it's a B3-3)

    I also have an Evanix AR6 pistol, which since I'd be shooting it at a very close range if I were using it for pest control, that is where the mushrooming would be more important.

    Still for my .22 rifles like the B-40, RM-2000, & my RWS 850 that are NOT as powerful as the Marauder, that's where I'm looking for that extra little edge as I say, in a good performing HP pellet.

    Maybe that will put it in a little better perspective.

    Kevin,

    Yeah the Shot Show was great & there are a LOT of new & VERY cool things coming out this year.

    On the .61 gr. .25 cal pellets I tried, no…. They wouldn't shoot out of my Crosman MK1 that was modded to .25 cal. by Troy Adams, which is a GREAT gun with a LOT of power, & they wouldn't shoot out of my new 500cc Sumatra either, even on full power.
    Which really surprised me, because they did fit fairly loosely in the mag, even to the point that if you point the mag down, they will just drop right out.
    I'm wondering if they might work after I put a few hundred rounds through it to break it in, & then used JSB bore paste & cleaned the barrel, but since they wouldn't shoot out of the gun even on full power with a full 3,000 psi fill, I still doubt it.
    So maybe there's a difference in the size of the barrels from the old Sumatras to the new ones?

    And I do agree with your philosophy about only taking clean shots. I would never take an obstructed shot. I meant if I had to take a different POA & POI because of branches. A shot that might not be perfect placement, but would still be acceptable.

    BTW… How does Rick Petersons Sumatra like the .61 gr. pellets?

    The BBA

  143. No, a Colt Python is completely different than a Crosman 357. The Crosman is made from cast soft metal parts, while the Python is made from ordnance steel.

    Even the grips are different, because of the differences in the grip frames of both guns.

    The Crosman 357 was made to resemble the Colt Python, but the guns are nothing alike.

    B.B.

  144. Been awhile since anyone left a comment, so I'll add my two cents, with markdown for depreciation. I have the original 357-6, as it was called in the late 70s/early 80s. It has, as been noted, the plastic "wood" grips. Unfortunately, during a military move, the movers dropped the container it was in and broke the barrel off. When I filed my claim, all they had were (hooray!) the 8" barrels, so I got my upgrade at that time. I have found it to be very accurate within the 10-15 yards. And, I shoot wadcutters exclusively. Note: the original came with 6-round 'cylinders' but it will use the 10-round interchangeably. Barrel droop is a even more of a problem, in the longer barrel. The weight isn't much, but it's significant enough. It would be nice if Crosman would come up with a fix for it. Or maybe some smart after-market type. 'Cuz it's a hoot to shoot!

  145. I'm on my 3rd 357 since about 88. Nothing but 8" barrels. In high school I killed hundreds of squirrels and birds up to partridge size (that was a headshot). I still use it for pests and grouse while on the treestand (doesnt spook deer). I did have 1 seal failure. For the record, I have also used bbs in it but they do screw up the magazines.

  146. first of all i am happy to be in on one of the longest conversations in the world. secondly, this is a fine pellet gun to train real 357 users on, reminds me of my old colt trooper that i will never see again thanks to a thief.

    • Deaman,

      Welcome to the blog.

      You can post comments to the current blog if you like. We don’t worry about staying on topic.

      /blog//

      This report is now 9 years old and very few people will see your comment. Come join us on the current page, where over 55,000 readers will see what you have to say.

      B.B.

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