I have a 1971 vintage 3inch model 36. Is it safe/advisable to use +P 38 Special ammunition?

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otis

Yes...

Judicious use of +P ammo is safe for any S&W revolver stamped with a model number and not marked as such on the barrel.

It is absolutely safe to shoot .38 +P in any modern revolver. +P is loaded to as much as slightly higher than standard pressure ammunition, around 10%. This results in slightly increased velocity, about 5-10%. Constant use will result in slightly accelerated wear, just as driving your car at 80 MPH all the time compared to 60MPH. This translates to the average life of a revolver going from 12-20,000 rounds to only (!) 15-16,000 rounds. This is more than most people will shoot a gun in their lifetime! It will not result in catastrophic failure of any firearm.
If you want an in-depth coverage read the article this link will take you to: Is +P Ammunition Safe? What You Need To Know About Overpressure Ammunition

The original intent of +P ammunition was to provide slightly improved performance (velocity) to any standard firearm in the caliber. There were never any safety warnings because they were not needed!

Your question is a result of the internet and people who do not understand that +P is not the same as proof ammunition.

I have been told by the folks at S&W that any steel 38 special revolver in good condition is safe with +P. The real question is however--is +P really needed?

This is the same as saying a .30-06 is capable of killing any game in the World, so are any of the .30 Caliber Magnum, or larger, cartridges really needed?

The answer is obviously no. but taking it to handguns then why do any handgun cartridges larger than .38 Special exist? The answer in each case is because they give you a bit more of an edge over any less powerful cartridge.

To get to the truth just look at the chart of guns approved for +p ammo that is included in some S&W owner's manuals. The model marked steel frame guns approval is for K frames and larger, not for J frames. Some of the older small frame J frames are OKed by S&W. Specifically the model 60-4&7. Now, are your non approved J frames going to blow up if you use +P ammo? No, many people use factory +P ammo in steel and aluminum non approved guns with no damage except the occasional frame cracks of the alloy guns. The reason is probably because factory +P .38 spl ammo is pretty mild. So, your gun-your choice.

Some of the older steel revolvers are perfectly safe with .38 +P ammo but not marked on the barrel because when the gun was made there was no +P ammo. (some, not all)

It's like finding an old coin, a very old coin. It can't be dated BC because how could they know that?

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I think it is ok to shoot +P in a J-frame that has a model number stamped into the yoke recess. Would I shoot a steady diet of +P in such a J-frame? No, but my wrists and hands, being older now, are not what they used to be. I don't want to abuse my firearms, I don't want to abuse my old joints either.

I would practice with standard pressure ammo and then shoot at least a couple of cylinder's full of +P for familiarization and to determine point of impact on the target.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

The better self defense rounds in .38 spl. are +P's in my opinion. If a perfect head shot was delivered with a non +P I'd bet that would be devastating, however in most SD shootings that's pretty hard to guarranty! Most SD shootings are up close and personal and perfectly aimed shots are rare. An expanding +P of descent velocity and power can vastly help in shots that do not hit a vital organ.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/rev...llistics-test/

Lucky Gunner did some good work on 38 ballistics I recommend you check out. I have a 1960's era Model 36 and it could use +P moderately but I prefer to use standard pressure because that is what it is rated for. I chose Hornady FTX standard pressure as it is one of the only standard pressure rounds that gets decent expansion. Federal Micro HST performed the best in the testing but it's near impossible to find. Paul Harrell also tested the Hornady and I was satisfied with the results so I'll stick with standard pressure.

@Chief38 is that a flat latch Nickel Model 36? If so, nice 👍

Like I've said before, the older 1960's guns which are safe to use +P ammo are not mark as so because there was no +P rating until 1972. (I think it was 72)

According to S&W any all steel revolver which has a model # (1957 on) is safe to use with +P ammo. Of course you should do what you think.is best with your guns.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I ran a box of Blazer 158 grain LSWCHP +P's through mine a long time ago and they didn't hurt it that I can tell.

Apropos of nothing, my +P in a Chiefs Special story involves a Baby Chiefs Spl and the late 1970s vintage FBI ammo, given to me by a FBI agent right out of his go bag in his trunk. I wanted to know whether it would work and the gun would hold together. The gun dutifully ate a cylinder full but that was all the fun I wanted to have with it. I adjudge it to be OK for carry use when I want to send the very best, but I wouldn’t shoot it regularly for practice. Just my personal experience, not a recommendation.
Froggie

Let me clarify my previous remarks above. Note this is not a correction and everything I said is correct!

There is no reason to shoot .38 +P all the time! For several reasons, increased wear on the gun, and your self from additional recoil, especially if you intend to shoot hundreds of rounds a month. Then use standard pressure ammunition mostly with occasional +P and for familiarization and carry ammunition.

This is the same as the Model 19 Combat Magnum. Bill Jordan proposed building a K Frame revolver similar to the Model 15 Combat Masterpiece only strengthened enough so it could withstand moderate use of .357 Magnum ammunition. His intent was that most shooting would be done with .38 Special loads and the 357 Magnum would be used by law enforcement officers to carry in their duty weapons in the event the extra power was needed.

The big question, and your decision, should be based on what are you comfortable with. Unless you load your own ammunition the other consideration is ammunition cost! You will certainly save money by using mostly non-+P ammunition in your gun!

Everything wears out, and guns are no exception. Constant use of +P will just make the gun wear out a little faster, but will not cause catastrophic failure.

I only intend to use +P as self-defense ammmo. +P is TOO expensive to use up plinking. Heck, any .38 Special I can find right now is TOO expensive.

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otis

In my small set of "older" J's, I use 148gr HBWC's for practice, 158gr SWC's for serious practice, and have a small supply of the Remington FBI SWCHP+P's for "if needed" carry. They all shoot similar groups with those three, and the +P's are louder and shoot a bit lower because of the short barrel. If I were to shoot +P's regularly, I use my 637 or 60-15.

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Heavily armed old man.

Even in my M442 which I carry daily I don't practice exclusively with +P ammo. It's too expensive and the recoil is a bit much for longer practices.

I shoot my handloads with a 140gr XTP bullet because it's close to the ammo I carry, a 135gr GDHP but @ standard pressures. I usually fire 50 rounds for practice and before I leave I shoot the 5 rounds of SD which were loaded in the gun. I replace with fresh SD carry ammo before leaving.

I shoot the +P ammo last for the positive muscle memory factor. That may or may not work but that's what I do...

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Shoot what the manual tells you to! +P is not magical.

I haven't used it in a model 36, but was issued .38+P ammunition for years, bought more for my own use, and have routinely shot it in J-Frame model 60, 640 and 642 revolvers, some in a model 49, and did some chronographing of .38+P in a pre Model 37. Major manufacturer 125-130 grain .38+P I've chronographed rarely gets over 850 FPS in the 2" revolvers. I've never seen any indication of concerning pressure, and continue to shoot mostly .38+P in my J-Frames.

FWIW, I've used 9mm NATO, +P and +P+ in the little S&W j-Frame 2" 940 revolver. I suspect pressures are much higher than any .38+P. I've never detected any excess wear or damage to this little J-Frame either..

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

Accuracy is more important than higher velocity. What ever works best for you.

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No baby we aint

Plus Pee threads were alotta fun back in the "old days".
Used to be a member called Saxon Pig that always chimed in with the best commentary.

Use the search feature, "Saxon Pig" and maybe they're still some archived.

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SWCA #2420

The origin (and the ENTIRE purpose) of +P ammunition can be directly traced to the then startling increase in gun sales---and the equally startling increase in concealed carry permits.

Startling to whom (?) you might ask. Startling to the folks who make ammunition-------and of course they're the same folks who sell it---in exchange for YOUR money----which is now their money. Similarly the increase in the manufacture of guns "rated for +P"-----and sold in exchange for YOUR money----which is now their money.

Let's digress for a moment to discuss the "Plaintiff's Bar". These are the folks who make a GOOD living helping you when you and/or your property has been damaged by another---another person or product. They are, without exception, graduates of law school and members of a bar association. The way they make a GOOD living is by suing the pants off of any and all who have, in any conceivable way, had anything to with any product or action which can be shown to have caused or contributed to such damage. They are, without exception, waiting in the wings----drooling over the prospect of some mental midget making ammunition which will damage ANY gun ever made in a caliber for which +P ammunition is, or ever will be made. If and when such an unlikely event should come to pass, you'll soon learn of it by TV ads inviting you to call 1-800-BAD-AMMO.

A brief additional comment about mental midgets: There aren't any to be found running ammunition manufacturers.

I could go on, but I've learned from experience it's really a waste of time. Those who have concerns about +P ammunition have yet to be concerned about their pocketbooks----------which is really what this is all about.

Ralph Tremaine