Crosman CO2 Double Action Revolver 357-8 Review

Overall Rating

Double Action
4" and 8" Interchangable Barrels
Relatively Affordable
Realistic looks
Realistic weight
Comparably Accurate
Kit-Dot Sight,Case,Clips,Mounts

8" Barrell Not Scopable
Plastic Combat Grip Covers

Thorough Review -Includes Specifications-
CROSMAN CO2 double action revolver 357-8
Upon Receiving my Crosman 357-GW kit in the mail today I gave it a thorough Shooting. I have owned several CO2 pistols in the past and present, and I have been very pleased with the Crosman line of air guns. I have never had any mechanical failures, breakages, or gun jams in my experiences with their line. I quickly opened up the case and awed in its beauty. I quickly attacked the 8" barrel with a screwdriver and was pleased with the size and weight of the pistol. It was clearly the largest and heaviest (most realistic) feeling air pistol I have owned.
The 4" barrel is made of plastic, but the 8" is made of metal, adding significant weight, but not enough to effect handling or performance.

The kit comes with 3 extra 10 shot clips, two sight mounts, a 4" barrel and an 8" barrel, a red dot sight (floating red dot), and a few Crosman official airgun targets, along with the nice hard case.

Scope Mounts- I know I said the 8" barrel is not groved for a scope, and it is not, you must attack the sight mounts and then attack on the red dot sight, laser or scope of your choosing. I attacked the red dot sight using this method and it looked weird. The red dot sight stuck up pretty high off the gun. I believe I may purchase a scope for it which may look more 'tough'.

The red dot sight is nice to have. I have owned one in the past and they add some looks and accuracy if you're into that. Red dot sights are sometimes confused with lasers. The red dot sight is a small almost scope looking thing that has a small red dot that will appear in the glass of the scope and assist in aiming. Note the glass has no magnifying effect.

The three extra clips are nice as the gun does not take too much work to reload a clip.

You got to love the looks of a revolver with an 8" barrel. With it attached the pistol length is near 14 inches long!

The body of the pistol is made of metal which I like very much, and adds realistic weight.

I soon loaded a clip, inserted it and removed the plastic combat grip styled casings that cover the inside metal handle that houses the CO2 cartridge. I did not like that you had to completely remove both hand grips to insert a CO2 cartridge. The screw part that pushes the CO2 to be pieced is hidden inside the handle covers so you must remove one to insert, but both to tighten the cartridge.

The double action is nice. The regular pull of the trigger is not too hard, and if you pull back the hammer, it's like a hair trigger, very nice for target shooting and accuracy. The nice metal 8" barrel is very nice looking and I love the weight. I looked around at the Wal-Marts in my area and none of them carried this model anymore so I purchased the kit offline for $75.95 US Dollars. The regular 6" barrel Crosman 357 was around $50 dollars, but I wanted the 8" barrel, red dot sight and extra clip and case so why not. I love the weight and look this pistol has. I haven't had a chance to shoot it outside but It was accurate inside shooting the box it came in. I put the thick cardboard box filled with foam peanuts and shredded paper up against the far wall and fired a shot. I now have a pellet stuck in the wall, ah well. I can't wait to show my friends my new pistol.

SPECIFICATIONS
Mechanism: 10 Shot Revolver
Ammunition: .177 Cal. (4.5mm) Lead Airgun Pellet
Weight: 4":1lb.11oz(.759kg) 8":2lbs.5 oz(1.05kg)
Overall Length: 4":9-3/8" 8": 13-3/8"
Sights: Rear=Adjustable up/side Front=Fixed
Barrel: 4":(10.2cm) 8"(20.3cm) Rifled Steel
Power Source: Powerlet CO2 Cartridge
Safety: Hammer Block
Performance: Many factors affect velocity, including size and weight of projectile, lubrication and barrel condition.
Maximum Velocity: Pellet up to 435 FPS (Feet per second - 132 Meters per second).

All specifications from Actual box.

I hope this will help your decision in purchasing your next air gun. Happy Shooting.

Members' Comments onackissell's Review

• channy123 on 5th Jul 2006

  can anyone tell me was it the difference between the crosman 357 4-8 and the crosman 357 8? they both come with interchanging barrels and the same power.

• taxman0032 on 16th Jul 2008

  I found this review helpful because...it provided enough detail of what is included, some pricing info and an enthusiastic description of the gun. I am the owner of a Crossman 38 combat special which emulates the US police 38 special revolver. I have had mine over twenty years and no trouble. So if this 357 is as sound as my old 38 Crossman, it sounds like a good deal.