Does anyone have experience shooting +P ammo out of a model 12-2 airweight. Cylinder is steel but frame is alloy. I don't want to ruin it or have an accident. Thanks for any input. Dan

Hi:
I have three Model 12s. RB 4", RB 2", and a SB 2".
I stay with standard velocity ammo. I like W-W Silvertips.
Jimmy

You will have to shoot a lot of +P's to loosen a Model 12. But it is possible. Practice with standard .38 Specials and use the +P's for defense. These revolvers are too nice to ruin. You could always buy a steel one. Good shooting!

Buffalo Bore's "std. pressure FBI load" might suit your needs perfectly.

Thanks for the tips. That FBI load from BB sounds interesting...

Buffalo Bore 158-Grain Roundnose Bullet

a 158 grain soft-leaded SWC bullet that comes out at 1000 fps from a 2" barrel.... Sounds like a great defense round IF you can handle the recoil! How's the recoil flop-shank?

I know the Buffalo Bore load by reputation only. Every report I've ever heard was that it's pretty stout. Hornady Critical Defense (although I'm no Hornady fan and lukewarm on that ammo line) has an, I think, 110 gr. std. pressure .38 load that should work relatively well. Also Federal offers it's 125 gr. std. pressure Nyclad. I doubt the Fed. of Hornady kick as bad as the BB offering. You've got three different loads there in three different weights. I'd try the 125 grainer and depending on whether it shoots to POA or not, you could go up or down in weight. Use what shoots to POA. My hunch is the BB load so you could probably be just as well off trying that before Nyclad. I'm sure there's something I'm forgetting. There are so many good choices in that caliber. No doubt others will weigh in with their two cents.

I don't know why that link refers to the Buffalo Bore 20A20 heavy +P loading as a "round nose"?
But for your gun as Flop Shank has accurately (as per usual) suggested, the standard pressure 158 SWCHP/GC would be my first choice. It's the weight bullet the sights were regulated for. The softest lead you'll find in a hollow point this side of melting down the Maltese Falcon. And low tech enough to work.
Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

Yes, I do. I have owned 3 Model 12s, currently have one, which is my everyday go-to-town carry gun. The Model 12 will sting the palm and web of your shooting hand with regular loads, and it is downright unpleasant with +P. Therefore, I carry standard rounds in mine.

S&W forum moderator Osprey did a +P Model 12 test a year or so ago in which he shot 1,000 rounds of +P in one. He took the critical measurements before and after the test, and things did move some, but the gun was as operational after the 1K rounds as it was before.

In summary, I don't think the +P will hurt your Model 12, but may hurt your hand some.