Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Ammo
o

Notices

Ammo All Ammo Discussions Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-23-2012, 02:51 AM
CCantu357's Avatar
CCantu357 CCantu357 is offline
Member
Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 968
Likes: 1,729
Liked 808 Times in 378 Posts
Default Winchester Ranger

I know this sounds like silly question but I am about to buy some new Winchester Ranger .38 +p+ and some other calibers as well. I do notice that it does say LE only on the box. I know this does not mean its illegal to own or shoot, but I do plan to use these as self defense ammo. Would that statement on the box cause any legal issues in a self defense/home defense situation? Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-23-2012, 05:28 AM
Steve C Steve C is offline
Member
Winchester Ranger  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 727
Likes: 1
Liked 133 Times in 93 Posts
Default

A justified shooting is good shooting regardless of the type of ammo used. The only time the type of ammo may be brought into question is regarding your intent and that requires a lot of interpretation by jurors and prosecution. If you shoot an unknown to you ex fellon that breaks into your house and assaults you that's one thing. Shoot someone where a motive other than self defense could reasonably be inferred and the ammo type could be used against you.

If you plan on shooting +P+ LEO ammo make sure your gun will hold up to at least a limited amount of shooting such high pressure ammo. Personally I'd stick to using in revolvers chambered for the .357 mag. YOu are using this ammo at your own risk and voiding any warranty by doing so. If it shakes your gun loose out of time or stretches the frame you are going to be out the money to repair or replace the handgun on your own.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 08-23-2012, 06:35 AM
CoMF CoMF is offline
Member
Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 474
Liked 1,447 Times in 670 Posts
Default

I'll loosely paraphrase what a man who I have a world of respect for told me when I asked him that same exact question: It's the same ammo used by law enforcement professionals. No more, no less. It's not any more inherently "evil" or "deadly" than any ammunition you can purchase at a sporting goods store. If anything, it's high quality ammo meant to perform to more stringent standards.


I'll also share an experience I had a while back when my vehicle got totalled by another vehicle that ran a stop sign and I had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Since I didn't want to leave my handgun in the vehicle and I couldn't bring it with me, I handed it to the responding State Trooper for safe keeping. At the time, it was loaded with Winchester Ranger RA9T rounds. I experienced no suspicion or doubt from the Sergeant on duty when I came to collect it after the accident, and I'm sure they noticed what ammo was in the chamber and magazine.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 08-23-2012, 08:36 AM
The Sarge The Sarge is offline
Member
Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 226
Likes: 50
Liked 135 Times in 57 Posts
Default

Think of it this way. If the ammo is good enough to protect the police and the citizens entrusted to them, it is good enough to protect me and my family. Use that statement if needed. Bill
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-23-2012, 04:09 PM
CCantu357's Avatar
CCantu357 CCantu357 is offline
Member
Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 968
Likes: 1,729
Liked 808 Times in 378 Posts
Default

I plan to use only for SD in my Model 19 so it should not be an issue on the gun. Just wanted to check and make sure I was not going to be opening a pandora's box of legal issues. Thanks for the relevant answers. Questions like this on other forums always lead into a gun rights debate that is four pages long and does not help me out one bit!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-23-2012, 09:14 PM
Kanewpadle's Avatar
Kanewpadle Kanewpadle is offline
US Veteran
Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Wrong side of Washington
Posts: 10,174
Likes: 13,010
Liked 17,098 Times in 5,128 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cantu357 View Post
I plan to use only for SD in my Model 19 so it should not be an issue on the gun. Just wanted to check and make sure I was not going to be opening a pandora's box of legal issues. Thanks for the relevant answers. Questions like this on other forums always lead into a gun rights debate that is four pages long and does not help me out one bit!
If your using a mod 19, why not use 357 loads?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-23-2012, 11:37 PM
CCantu357's Avatar
CCantu357 CCantu357 is offline
Member
Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 968
Likes: 1,729
Liked 808 Times in 378 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kanewpadle View Post
If your using a mod 19, why not use 357 loads?
Well for one I prefer a hot .38 for home defense rather than the full blast of a .357. I practice a lot more with hot 38s and feel more comfortable with that as my SD load then a round I do not shoot a lot of. I save my .357 rounds for outdoor activities.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #8  
Old 05-07-2017, 04:47 PM
Aksarben's Avatar
Aksarben Aksarben is offline
Member
Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger  
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 65
Likes: 63
Liked 40 Times in 25 Posts
Default

If memory serves me, the model 19 is a K frame, a firearm meant for .38 spcl. A model 29 is the N frame and comes in .357 and is more robust. N frames are also used for the .41 and .44 Remington Magnum. I had a .44 Rem. Magnum years ago.

I would avoid using the 19 with +P+ if it were my revolver. They made it to accept .38 special and .357 magnum for duty/carry and it will get buy.
__________________
Vern
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-07-2017, 06:47 PM
Doug M.'s Avatar
Doug M. Doug M. is offline
Member
Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Washington State
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 14,494
Liked 9,263 Times in 3,702 Posts
Default

This will not create legal problems. It is a marketing/internal restriction only and has no meaning at all.
__________________
NHI, 10-8.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-08-2017, 06:47 AM
Texas Star Texas Star is offline
US Veteran
Absent Comrade
Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 20,362
Likes: 24,260
Liked 16,154 Times in 7,408 Posts
Default

I discourage Plus P Plus for another reason. I was warned by S&W reps when the L-frame guns came out that one reason why they were needed is that Plus P lus and hot 125 grain .357 loads were shaking loose K-frame Magnums. They were consideraly more abusive than full .357 ammo with 158 grain bullets.


This ammo was never released to the public via normal channels, and just what was in it varied with the departmental order. Departments that ordered it had to sign waivers that it was going to cause early wear on guns.


The sole reason it existed was that police chiefs in some liberal cities were afraid to issue .357 loads, but wanted .357 performance.


If I was you, I'd avoid Plus P Plus ammo. It'd be about as loud as real .357 ammo indoors, anyway, and wears guns badly.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 05-08-2017, 07:51 AM
tll tll is offline
Member
Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger  
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Run a couple of cylinders full to see how you like it.
Feel comfortable at night with the +p+. Chances are very high that you will never need to use them and the low round count will not harm that M19.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #12  
Old 05-08-2017, 08:33 AM
crazyphil crazyphil is offline
US Veteran
Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger Winchester Ranger  
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 8,002
Likes: 35,764
Liked 29,650 Times in 6,014 Posts
Default

Law Enforcement Only is Winchester's "suggestion".
It has no force in any one elses law.
Exclusivity is a good marketing tool.
It's a good load, but there are lots of others just as good, or better.
Rangers are rated +P+ so I would be cautious about what gun I
put them in.
__________________
In Omnia Paratus
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Where can I get Winchester Ranger T 9mm? fallhunter Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 8 05-07-2017 09:14 PM
WTB: Winchester Ranger 30-06 jakesnake66 WANTED to Buy 0 03-04-2013 01:44 PM
Winchester Ranger SXT gsxunv04 Ammo 1 01-02-2011 07:24 PM
Winchester Ranger .38 +P+ OK for 640 no dash? allglock S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 5 11-16-2010 08:29 AM
Winchester Ranger 38 Special +P+ LE JHP mickey73 Ammo 4 03-22-2009 01:02 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:02 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)