+P ok in early S&W Mod. 60, 38 spl.

**ray h** · August 14th, 2011, 12:41 AM

Ive got a vintage (late 60s-early 70s) S&W mod.60 chambered for 38 spl.
It is all stainless steel, has 1.8" pinned barrel. It does not say that its rated for +P ammo, all it says is 38 spl.
Ive limited it to standard pressure loads to this point.
My gut says an all SS frame and cylinder will hold up fine to +P and the only reason it doesnt say its rated for +P is because +P wasnt available when the gun was manufacturered. Its presently loaded with Hornady Critical Defense in standard pressure but comparing the tested muzzle velocity of the Hornadys, they are faster than some +P rounds.
What are your thoughts on putting a limited number of +P through it?

***Klutch*** · August 14th, 2011, 06:52 AM

don't do it. Why take the chance of ruining a nice piece.

**indiandave** · August 14th, 2011, 07:50 AM

A lmited number of +p's would be fine. On a Smith & Wesson forum, someone fired 1,000 rounds through an alum. frame model 12 with no problems.

To be safe you could use a standard pressure rounds like Buffalo Bore's 158gr LSWCHP's . This is what I use in my carry guns.

**MOUNTAINORACLE** · August 14th, 2011, 01:53 PM

The amount of +P ammo you would put through a Model 60 would no problem. Use standard pressure ammo for practice & +P for carry and the Model 60 will out live you.

I carry the old "Treasury" Loading in all my J-Frame S&Ws which is a 110 grain +P+ loading with no problems.

I also have used +Ps in my Model 12 [aluminum frame K series Smith] with no problems

**goon** · August 17th, 2011, 08:12 PM

I fall into the "why risk it?" camp. There are good standard pressure loads available. I don't think a box of +P in the entire lifetime of the gun will hurt it any, but I'm also not a S&W gunsmith.
Why risk it?

**Ret-Fed** · August 17th, 2011, 10:03 PM

I also have a S&W M60 from mid 1970. S&W recommended NOT using +P ammo when I emailed them a few years ago.

**mpan72** · August 17th, 2011, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by *Klutch*

don't do it. Why take the chance of ruining a nice piece.

or your hands and face

**WVBob** · August 18th, 2011, 07:22 AM

I'm in the why risk it camp. If you like your hands and eyes, why risk them to something that might happen. Right now the gun is 40+ years old and you don't know what someone else shot out of it. It could have been a safe queen or one someone shot 50 rounds a week. Why risk it.

**ray h** · August 18th, 2011, 06:19 PM

Thanks for everyone's ideas. Im in agreement with those that say dont fire +P through it. There are enough good standard pressure rounds out there and the standard .38 is a decent CC round.
I do actually know alot of the history on this gun. It hasnt been fired much but has been carried alot, I doubt its ever had any +P put through it. It was my stepfather's BUG when he a police officer. He bought it new and carried it most of his career. He retired then died several years ago and left this and and a few other guns to me. Ive carried it on and off (mostly off) for a few years.
Ive got a little LCP to CC as well but I like carrying the 60 when I can.

**PAS&W** · August 20th, 2011, 06:11 PM

I use the following as a GUIDE when dealing with all-steel revolvers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overpre...2BP_cartridges

Commercially available +P cartridges

Cartridges that are commonly boosted with +P pressures are the 9 mm Luger, .45 ACP, and .38 Special, which are all cartridges that date from the dawn of the 20th Century. There has been significant improvement in metallurgy and quality since the first guns in those calibers have been made, with the result that higher pressures are now safe in modern firearms. Many models will specify to the degree they can use +P ammunition; for example, many aluminum alloy framed .38 Special revolvers should not regularly be used with +P ammunition, for while the cylinder is capable of withstanding the pressures, the added force will increase wear and reduce the service life of the gun.

SAAMI specifications for common +P cartridges are as follows:

Cartridge Standard pressure +P pressure Notes
. 9 mm Luger 35,000 38,500 10% increase
. .38 Special 17,000 18,500 9% increase
. .45 ACP 21,000 23,000 9.5% increase
. .38 Auto 26,500 36,500 38% increase to make .38 Super
. .45 Colt 14,000 25,000 79% increase, Ruger only load

The +P+ designation is not currently used by the SAAMI, but is used by some manufacturers to designate loads that exceed the +P SAAMI specification. One source lists the 9 × 19 mm +P+ loading as having a pressure of 42,000 psi, an 18% increase over the standard pressure of 35,000 psi, and the .38 Special +P+ as 22,000, a 29% increase over the standard pressure.[5]

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