Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > General Topics > Concealed Carry & Self Defense
o

Notices

Concealed Carry & Self Defense All aspects of Concealed and Open Carry, Home and Self Defense.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-19-2018, 09:13 PM
John Banks's Avatar
John Banks John Banks is offline
Member
S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special?  
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 43
Likes: 72
Liked 18 Times in 6 Posts
Default S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special?

Hello, everyone. I plan to soon purchase a Smith & Wesson Model 36 3" for concealed carry. Of course, I don't plan on feeding it a steady diet of +P ammunition, but I am curious as to if the gun is rated for +P ammunition. Any advice is much appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-19-2018, 09:21 PM
Pisgah Pisgah is offline
Member
S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special?  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 37
Liked 5,413 Times in 1,756 Posts
Default

S&W's general position is that guns with a Model number are OK for +P. Elmer Keith fired hundreds of .38-44 Heavy Duty loads in an early Chief's Special (the Model 36, before being given a number) with no ill effects, and those loads were a LOT more powerful than any +P load nowadays, closer to the .357 Magnum.

As usual, the caveat is that shooting +P excessively will cause accelerated wear, but occasional use of it won't hurt a thing.
__________________
Pisgah
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 07-19-2018, 09:39 PM
John Banks's Avatar
John Banks John Banks is offline
Member
S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special?  
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 43
Likes: 72
Liked 18 Times in 6 Posts
Default

Thanks, friend! I appreciate the reply, and the great piece of advice.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-19-2018, 10:23 PM
dr. mordo's Avatar
dr. mordo dr. mordo is offline
Member
S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special?  
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 5,138
Liked 2,954 Times in 1,021 Posts
Default

I wouldn't worry about it at all if you are shooting modern factory bought +P.

Note that modern +P is comparable to older non +P ammo. 38 SPL +P 40 years ago was comparable to low power 357 magnum. The 38 SPL cartridge has been watered down quite a bit over the years.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #5  
Old 07-19-2018, 10:26 PM
LPD256's Avatar
LPD256 LPD256 is offline
SWCA Member
S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special?  
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 20,161
Liked 6,275 Times in 1,563 Posts
Default

John-I sometimes carry a newer Model 60 Pro with a three inch slab-sided barrel. I like the factory wood grips. It is chambered for .357 so +P would be fine. It has a night sight on the front. I just bought a second one, lightly used in the box from a friend for $450. I think his wife shot about 5 rounds of .357 and decided it wasn’t for her. It’s a great shooter with .38 Special, is lightweight to carry and my opinion is it is a nice looking gun. And it is more accurately shot than my 2 inch, although I’m more of a sucker for blue guns. This is a utility tool for carry.....
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #6  
Old 07-26-2018, 12:37 PM
Retired Cop Retired Cop is offline
Banned
S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special? S&W Model 36 3" Rated for +P .38 Special?  
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 111
Likes: 13
Liked 72 Times in 42 Posts
Default

The steel framed older model 36 can handle +P ammo but, not a steady diet of them.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
"The Centennials" ad from S&W "Model 640 - a tough little .38 rated for +P ammuniti" psjoe S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 31 06-08-2021 05:14 PM
S&W 642-2 1.875"barrel, rated Plus-P Reddog GUNS - For Sale or Trade 3 10-26-2014 06:37 PM
Model 60-7 Plus P rated? calapooia S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 1 06-05-2011 10:45 AM
G-rated blonde joke for Mr. Jarrett's G-rated forum M29since14 The Lounge 10 10-04-2009 11:17 AM
Is + P rated brass needed for .38 Special + P loads? 97th Signalman Reloading 4 02-13-2009 09:37 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 10:34 AM.


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