Taurus Ultralite

**mrjam2jab** · August 3rd, 2010, 10:20 PM

Just borrowed a Taurus from my sister...it hasn't been "out for a walk" in years...so I thought I'd help her out with that. What are brothers for?

I don't see a model # anywhere on it...where might it be?

Looking here...looks like it might just be the Model 85 Stainless..

All of them are +P....are they "backwards compatible"? Can i use NON +P ammo in it?

**thebearpack** · August 3rd, 2010, 10:30 PM

It's been a while since I sold my 85UL so my memory is a bit fuzzy, but I don't think there was a specific model number on the gun. The box listed it but I think the guns all had a generic "Model 85" or something.

How old is it exactly? The older Taurus guns (like mid to late 90s probably) weren't +P rated so if it's more than 12-15 years old it may not be. Either way, you can definitely shoot standard loads with no problem. Shooting hot +P loads won't be fun for long in a small, light gun anyway.

**mrjam2jab** · August 3rd, 2010, 10:40 PM

No idea on age...

Cool...Taurus has a serial Number search

Which yields this:

SEARCH RESULTS
Your Model Is 85SS2UL
Production Year 1999

Sweet.

Ok....so that wasn't really the important info....you answered that when you said I can use standard .38 spcl ammo...I already have that for my own .38.

Thanks.

**Steve_NEPhila** · August 4th, 2010, 09:18 AM

Let me echo what was already stated, Yes you can use standard .38 special ammo in a +P rated handgun.

+P just means slightly over pressure, there is no difference in the external dimensions of the cartridge. With the 38 special load having a pressure rating of about 17k PSI, the +P makes about 20k PSI inside of the cylinder. Reason would show that if the device is designed for 20,000 PSI, running it at 17,000 PSI would do no harm. However, if that device rated for 20,000 PSI were to attempt to handle the .357 Mag at 35,000 PSI it would most likely fail catastrophically.

I hope this helps understand the why, and not just the yes or no.