I just bought a Military&Police .38 and looking for some good factory loads for it. Serial# S834XXX so it looks to be dated to around the end of WWII I believe. Any recommendations for a good low pressure load for a revolver of this era? Thanks for your help!

The regular 158 grain lead round nosed .38 Special load (non +P) will work best. They are easy on the gun, usually accurate and most importantly, will shoot to the sights as that is what the old fixed sight guns were regulated to.

Your revolver most likely shipped from the factory in August, 1946. Pictures would be nice.

Walter's answer regarding ammo is correct. While jacketed loads will be safe, it would be easier on the gun if you stick to lead bullets.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

The Armscor .38 Spl 158gr FMJ is light and clean. Great brass for reloading too! I use this in my Victory .38 Spl.
Jim

I find that the 148g WC work very well in those old guns. I get it from Georgia Arms.

There is always Winchester, Federal, Remington, Hornady and Speer

All of them make several choices in safe ammunition for your revolver. Most or them have been doing so since the day your revolver was New

You can use any .38 Special ammunition you wish. But those with lead bullets are best.

I've always had good luck with the Remington or Winchester 130gr FMJ. Light bullet, moderate velocity and pressure. And then you get brass to reload!

Cant find much 38 specials around here, why are they hard to find.

I like to shoot 158 grain bullets in fixed sight S&W .38 Special revolvers, although 148 grain target loads are also great and easier on you and the gun.

Realistically, any standard factory load using a 158 grain bullet (jacketed or lead) would take an awful lot of shooting before it could produce any detectible wear on the gun.

My local Wal-Mart had a reasonable supply of Winchester and Federal .38 Specials on hand the last few times I was there.

__________________
They lack our altruism.

I'll echo DWalt's post in saying that your M&P will handle any factory-loaded .38 Special ammo safely, but will be at its best with a 158-160 gr. lead (RN or SWC) service-type load (approx. 800-850 fps). The 148 gr. Midrange Wadcutters will be good at the range, easy on both gun and shooter, and even the Buffalo Bore +P load, which approximates the old .38-44 HV load, will be safe, but will indeed accelerate wear on the gun. If you should encounter any of the Winchester or Federal 130 gr. FMJ for cheap, buy them. It's an utterly wimpy load, being the commercial equivalent of the military M41 Ball, but the fired brass will be first-rate for reloading.

Larry

You could enter the world of Reloading! My .38's/.357's love 148gr. lead wadcutters. If you get components priced right it is cost effective. I have loaded .38 Special as low as $3.48 for a box of 50. YES, there is a start up cost factor! Bob