I have recently purchased an older model 64. I have heard conflicting statements on the use of 38 spec +P ammo in older models. I have run a few rounds through the revolver without incident. Is it ok to continue using this ammo???
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ronnie gore
Member
64
yes it will handle all you can give it, i have one and shoot heavy handloads in it. but i don't consider a 64 that old of a model.
yes it will handle all you can give it, i have one and shoot heavy handloads in it. but i don't consider a 64 that old of a model.
AKsRule
Member
I would bet my model 19 snubby that the ONLY difference between
a 64 and a 65 made in the same year is the length of the chamber
and the caliber marking.
A .38 +p won't make either break a sweat.
washburn832
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You are correct, the only difference is the length of the chamber. K frames from the seventies onward can handle a light diet of +P loads with no problem. I'd use non-plus p for practice though, and carry the +P as a defense round.
stantheman86
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K-Frame .357's received a better heat treating to stand up to the use of .357. For example, a 65 is not just a 64 with a longer cylinder, there's more to it than that. S&W stopped making the K-Frame .357's because, in short, they were tired of servicing stretched out and loose guns from people who couldn't grasp the ".38 for training, .357 for carry" rule.
+P's won't hurt a 64 one bit. Unless you shoot up several 1,000 round cases of .38 +P every month, you'll probably never see the day when that gun wears out. A while back I looked at the ballistics of popular brands of +P like Golden Saber, and +P has much less pressure than a hot .357.
The only S&W's I don't shoot +P in, are my older ones like my M&P's. +P is much more common these days, it's almost to the point were small gun shops don't even bother to stock "standard" .38 anymore, all they have is +P.
+P's won't hurt a 64 one bit. Unless you shoot up several 1,000 round cases of .38 +P every month, you'll probably never see the day when that gun wears out. A while back I looked at the ballistics of popular brands of +P like Golden Saber, and +P has much less pressure than a hot .357.
The only S&W's I don't shoot +P in, are my older ones like my M&P's. +P is much more common these days, it's almost to the point were small gun shops don't even bother to stock "standard" .38 anymore, all they have is +P.
David Sinko
Member
My 2" Model 64 is fast becoming my favorite carry gun; I like to think of it as a service revolver that fits into the pocket. I have shot a wide variety of factory loads and handloads through mine and have since developed some strong opinions.
First, the factory +P and +P+ designations don't mean very much in the grand scheme of things. A 64 will easily handle anything +P. And the +P+ I have tried so far are all very underwhelming, at least as far as velocity is concerned.
One will learn a lot about the K Frame .38 by handloading for it. A K Frame .38 will not handle the pressures that a J Frame .38 can handle! The 65 and 66 also have the cylinder stop notches directly above the chambers and can handle the .357 Magnum, so I'm sure the heat treat has something to do with it. In any event, my Model 60 will handle far heavier handloads than will my 64.
I'm not sure that there's a real need to shoot a 158 gr. non-expanding bullet faster than 900 FPS for defensive use, and my 64 will do this without difficulty.
Dave Sinko
First, the factory +P and +P+ designations don't mean very much in the grand scheme of things. A 64 will easily handle anything +P. And the +P+ I have tried so far are all very underwhelming, at least as far as velocity is concerned.
One will learn a lot about the K Frame .38 by handloading for it. A K Frame .38 will not handle the pressures that a J Frame .38 can handle! The 65 and 66 also have the cylinder stop notches directly above the chambers and can handle the .357 Magnum, so I'm sure the heat treat has something to do with it. In any event, my Model 60 will handle far heavier handloads than will my 64.
I'm not sure that there's a real need to shoot a 158 gr. non-expanding bullet faster than 900 FPS for defensive use, and my 64 will do this without difficulty.
Dave Sinko
twomoons
Member
art and sdave,
you guys are right on with a important topic that i get asked every day.
good job guys.your both right on as fas the ballistics,and what a k frame can and cant do.i have several close friends,and a few neighbors who are on the osp training and recruiting squads.they love a small k as a backup,and they all say,staring down the barel of a k 64 or 65,no perp is going to ask is that a magnum or +p in that gun.they stress what we talk about all the time
shot placement
happy trails buddy's
you guys are right on with a important topic that i get asked every day.
good job guys.your both right on as fas the ballistics,and what a k frame can and cant do.i have several close friends,and a few neighbors who are on the osp training and recruiting squads.they love a small k as a backup,and they all say,staring down the barel of a k 64 or 65,no perp is going to ask is that a magnum or +p in that gun.they stress what we talk about all the time
shot placement
happy trails buddy's
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