A good friend of mine gave me a bag of older Georgia Arms .38 spcl ammo. I say older because it was marked $12.25 for 50 rounds. 110 grain JHP +P rated at 1100 FPS. After reading all the doom sayers reports of using 125 gr. .357 in K frame .357 magnums (19/66) I'm wondering if the experienced shooters would warn of using this stuff in a 1952 38-44 HD or later K-frame .38 spcl S&W guns (?).

Thanks in advance to the ammo experts here.

They will be no problem in the 38-44 and at only 1100 fps I highly doubt they will damage a K frame either. Back when the K frame was built a 158gr bullet @1250 fps was common so a 110gr bullet at only 1100 fps isn't a problem. It it were pushed up new the max ~1800 fps, that would be bad for your K frame...

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SWCA #3437

I don't know about the 38-44 but there is absolutely no problem with a later K frame. 1100 'sounds' high, but it's much easier to get a light 110 grain bullet moving faster than say, a 158 grain bullet.

In a 6" barrel a 110gr Jhp can do 1044fps in a 38 case with standard 38 special loadings around 15 cup or 17,000 psi.

The 1,100 fps is on the box but normally will only put out 97% of the FPS listed....... making it nice soft target load in the K frame.

I had a 6" load with Unique at 1132fps that I tested in my J frame and it clocked 996 fps. Useable if needed.

In the K frame you are good to go.

Thanks for all the great responses guys. I've been trying to get to the range for two days but Thursday should be the day. Will report.

Use the ammo!