How can I tell if my .38spl will eat +p's?

[Brown-Bear]

I recently inherited a Smith and Wesson 5 shot 38spl. The gun is as near as I can figure close to 30yrs old. Can't find a single blemish in the bluing, or any other indication of wear and tear. I would expect nothing less from the man a I recieved this weapon from, but still I wonder. Is it safe to fire +P's out of this gun? Anybody have any ideas.

Dave W.

[natewal4430]

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...1144328AAj81Wu

An interesting read, not sure to its validity.

Nate

[Bearhands]

Give Smith and Wesson a call, they'll tell you. 1-800-331-0852

[dman]

Your manual will suggest ammo,it should tell you what's what! If you can't ,I believe it would say so.

[TonyF]

I recently inherited a Smith and Wesson 5 shot 38spl. The gun is as near as I can figure close to 30yrs old. Can't find a single blemish in the bluing, or any other indication of wear and tear. I would expect nothing less from the man a I recieved this weapon from, but still I wonder. Is it safe to fire +P's out of this gun? Anybody have any ideas.

Dave W.

A 30 y.o. S&W is a fine pistol but I wouldn't feed it a steady diet of +P, especially if it's an airweight.

[crazy charlie]

If the gun is pristine I wouldn't feed it +P ammo. S&W will probably tell you the same if it is pristine or not.
I'm not going to get into the benefits of +P, but a hit from a 158gr .38 spl will more than do the job as a manstopper and 148gr wadcutters will give enjoyment to the target shooter.
If you want to shoot +P or +P+ out af a .38 Spl get a .357 mag. to do it with.

[bpvet]

I recently inherited a Smith and Wesson 5 shot 38spl. The gun is as near as I can figure close to 30yrs old. Can't find a single blemish in the bluing, or any other indication of wear and tear. I would expect nothing less from the man a I recieved this weapon from, but still I wonder. Is it safe to fire +P's out of this gun? Anybody have any ideas.

Dave W.

My idea is to give it to me, legally that is.

[crazy charlie]

bpvet,
I never thought of that.
Must be slipping in my old age.
Charlie

[TonyF]

A 30 y.o. S&W is a fine pistol but I wouldn't feed it a steady diet of +P, especially if it's an airweight.

To clarify.

A 30 y.o. S&W J frame should not be fed a steady diet of +P ammo. Using +P for carry is OK if it's a steel frame. If it's an alloy frame I would avoid +P altogether.

Recent vintage J frames can handle +P ammo because of improvements in metallurgy and construction.

[pred]

Please PM me with the model # of the gun,
Is it a mod 36?38?40?60?
If it is an all steel one you will be okay to use a +P for carry use, A few really wouldnt be an issue, But if it is a model 37, I would have it checked out by someone good first.
I have run my 30+ year old airweight with a few +Ps to see what it feels like.
If it is a -1 after the model # under the crane, It is good for +Ps,
Feel free to PM me and if you'de like, Leave your # there and I will call you.
Peter.