Hello. I own an M&P hand ejector in 38 spl., 4 inch barrel. It has the long throw hammer, 5 screw frame, and the serial # dates to a 1928 ship date (this info given by forum members here).

It's in remarkable condition, doesn't even have a solid turn line.

My questions:

1) Does this model have modern heat treating that would allow for the same service life (with standard pressure) as later model 10s?

2) Is it true that the hammer block that retracts the firing pin is prone to breaking? In other words, should I be concerned about carrying it fully loaded?

Thanks very much for the help. Here's a photo.

Attached Images

38target.jpg (94.4 KB, 55 views)

Yes and no.

Thanks.

I just thought of something: Is this gun safe to shoot jacketed ammo (fmj, jhp)?

Sure, it's safe to shoot jacketed bullets in it. S&W always had a bias against using jacketed bullets in their earlier revolvers as it accelerates bore wear. There is seldom a good reason to use anything but lead bullets for target or casual shooting. Same for +P loads.

Thanks again.

Do we know what year S&W started making the rifling / barrels that are more suitable for long-term use with jacketed rounds? Or was this a gradual change?

Also, do we know what year Smith & Wesson started making guns with modern heat treating (for future purchases)?

For future collecting, I want to have an idea of which guns are 'shooters' and suitable for defense, and which should not be regularly used for defense/carry.

I don't know anything factual about the barrel steels used on S&W revolvers. Allegedly, the earlier barrels were made of softer steel alloys. Remember, until the 1970s, there wasn't much available in .38 Special ammunition loadings other than the lead bullet variety, so it didn't make much difference if the barrels were of softer steel. I do have a note that S&W changed barrel steels on their WWII Victory model .38s from steel alloy AISI 1025 to AISI 1045 in January 1942, probably to achieve better wear resistance, as AISI 1045 is a higher-carbon and higher strength alloy. Others may have better information. Heat treating on the M&Ps began in September 1919, and I think that was only the cylinder. Anything made after that date should be safe for use with any factory .38 Special ammunition. And anything before then should use only standard velocity lead bullet loads. There is nothing whatsoever wrong with using lead bullet loads for defense and carry, assuming you can provide proper bullet placement.