Sorry, I'm sure this has been discussed before...
Have a couple older K-frame 'snubbies'... a 10-5 (1966) and a 15-4 (1982).
Was just wondering if +P ammo can/should be used in these pistols... or totally avoided.
And if there's a thread that covers this.
Thanks

I have similar revolvers.

You can shoot as much +p as you like, without concern.

As a practical matter, you won't shoot 10,000 rounds of +p in those revolvers in your lifetime.

Whether there's any reason to shoot +p's in your revolvers is a separate issue.

Thanks Rpg, appreciate the response.
Been using Federal 130gr 'Target Ammo' for the range, just wanted to use something maybe alittle 'hotter' than 158gr-spl for Home/Carry... and just wanted to make sure I wasn't gonna 'damage' anything. Doubt I'd ever reach the 10K mark even with the Target Ammo.
Thanks

you're not gonna hurt those guns with +p

Yeah this subject has been discussed, cussed and beatened to death
before. Any STEEL K frame model marked S&W revolver, made after
1957 being model marked, is approved by S&W for +P ammo.

Perfectly safe.

For those researching the question in the future, here is a time-saving link:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/searchr...+K+frame&sa=Go

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

This is being asked by a new member with a fairly low post count and probably in the minds of several of the guests here for the first time, no big deal.

Now if the question was asked by someone with 5,000 posts there might be an issue.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

Thanks guys... appreciate the feedback.
Bottom-line... I can use them in my 10 and 15 without a problem.
Will check-out the link.

OK, EJO, you have your answer but what's this about "older" K frames?

Older is maybe pre-WWII or even perhaps Teddy Roosevelt era M&Ps. That's older.

Oh no you don't...not again...not this little black duck...

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No life story has happy end.

Most of us were born in the '40s and '50s, so we don't think a gun from the '60s or much less the '80s is old! That would mean we are ancient!!

Personally, for self defense I think standard loads are fine. I prefer 158 grain bullets. If I do go to +P, I still stick with the 158 grain bullet. My preference, prejudice, whatever. I tend to stay away from the lighter bullets.

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You're shy a few manners.

I'm with you, Jack Flash. 158 grain +P, all the time, in all the .38 Special revolvers carried here for personal defense. I wouldn't feel cheated to only have 158 grain standard velocity semi-wadcutters though.


A few years back, 10 rounds of factory 158 +P from each of three different boxes and brands of ammunition were fired through this K-Frame Smith & Wesson with a serial number of 50,000-and-something, which dates it to about 1904.

Amazingly enough, the earth's poles didn't reverse. The revolver didn't come unwound. It was mechanically sound and tight and remains so yet.

Shooting +P in it was a non-event, as it also was when fired in a K-Frame from 1926, 1944, 1947, 1952, and 1954. 158 +P .38 Special ammunition has also been tested in a 1915 Colt Army Special and a 1921 Colt Police Positive Special.

I'm in the camp that views +P as a tempest-in-a-teapot. The +P 158 grain loads are the only worthwhile +P loads in my view, the lighter bullet weights being more suitable for inferior cartridges like .380 or 9mm.

I see the "daily question" is back one more time....................

Doesn't this forum have a "search" tool??

You can download a free Revolver Modern Style Manual from the S&W website. The current one is dated 2014. Here is an excerpt:

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You're shy a few manners.

10,000 isn't that hard....I've put a thousand through my gun in a year and haven't gone to he range all that much

My .02:
May you be forever wealthy enough to purchase enough +P factory ammo in your ________ (fill in blank for S&W model) to wear it completely out.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275