Revolver question about caliber

[Brutus]

I believe that Elmer also wrecked some revolvers, part of the learning curve.
.357 brass is designed to handle the pressures.
Modern .357 revolvers use different metallurgy than traditional .38 revolvers.

From what I remember about the book Sixguns, the only destructed ones, I recall are the .45 Colt Peacemaker SAA, with oversize .458 diamatere 300 grain bullets & his greatest regret, the 1917 .45 ACP S&W's with a highly overloaded charge of powder.

He certainly mentioned the S&W Heavy Duty N-frames, with what we now call +P+ 38 Special ammo.
Can't say I remember if he actually destroyed any .38 Special chambered revolver.

Can anyone recall KB .38/.357's in the Keith book Sixguns?

 

[drvrage]

It is important to note that most .357 will fit into a .38. It can work, the problem inherent in modern guns is that the frames, cylinders and barrels were not designed to take the much higher pressure.

.38 SPL 16500 CUP
.357 Mag 35000 CUP

Putting a .357 into a .38 gun can make it go boom "the wrong way". Good luck finding new eyes, fingers or hand.