+P's OK?

[ColdBlueSteel]

I'm pretty sure I already know the answer, but is it a bad idea to shoot +P's in a model 12-2 Airweight?.....

[ajpelz]

According to wikipedia, that is a big NO. As in, DO NOT shoot +p's through your 12-2. Your negative phrased question complicates things a little In other words, YES, it is a bad idea.

[ColdBlueSteel]

Thanks. I figured as much, just wanted other opinions.

[ajpelz]

Besides that, with the value of your model 12, and the fact that it is a collectible piece, I would not shoot +Ps out of it even if it were rated for it!

Congrats on owning such a nice piece.

[Art Doc]

Factory +Ps are loaded well below industry standards for the caliber and pose no threat to a quality made gun, even with an alloy frame.

Somebody around shot 1,000 +Ps through his M12 for a lark and all he got was a tired hand.

Nobody would dare sell any ammo that would be unsafe in a quality gun. Too many lawyers around.

[ajpelz]

Originally Posted by SaxonPig

Factory +Ps are loaded well below industry standards for the caliber and pose no threat to a quality made gun, even with an alloy frame.

Somebody around shot 1,000 +Ps through his M12 for a lark and all he got was a tired hand.

Nobody would dare sell any ammo that would be unsafe in a quality gun. Too many lawyers around.

Easy for him to say, it is not his gun. So old model S&Ws (aka 1920-40 vintage) are not quality guns?

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally Posted by SaxonPig

Factory +Ps are loaded well below industry standards for the caliber and pose no threat to a quality made gun, even with an alloy frame.

Somebody around shot 1,000 +Ps through his M12 for a lark and all he got was a tired hand.

Nobody would dare sell any ammo that would be unsafe in a quality gun. Too many lawyers around.

I agree.

[murphydog]

I believe the official S & W line is that any model marked .38 is ok for +P, due to a change in heat-treatment or steel at the time model numbers were assigned. However, my opinion would be to limit their use - practice more with target or standard pressure loads, with the occasional cylinder full of +P so you know what to expect.

[HAWKEYE10]

I have shot +P in my model 12, and in my J frames as well
Don

[jframe]

I have the same question about my as yet unfired 1974 vintage Model 40.

[Art Doc]

AJ & 500 - It's VERY easy for me to say because it's the truth.

Of course older S&Ws are quality guns BUT until around 1918 or so the cylinders were not tempered so caution is wise with these. My personal cut off date on warm loads* is 1930 because prior to this time the tempering of steel was imprecise and iffy.

Here's my 1942 M&P pictured with some of the 1,000 Remington +Ps and the 600 +P+s (125@1150) I fired through it for fun. Zip... zero... nada effect on the gun.





* Factory +P is NOT a warm load. A 125 at 925 FPS is a very mild load.