Hi all, just pulled my Model 12-2 2 inch square butt out of the safe. It's been a safe queen for the last 20 years It was my carry gun when I was the police commissioner years ago. I have not shot it in over 20 years and and was wondering when it was made ser. #D766xxx and will it handle 38 +P's?

Thanks,
Dick

I'm not sure about the birth year, but I THINK I've read a handful of times on this forum that a +P diet in model 12's can crack the forcing cone. One of the more knowledgeable members should be along soon to confirm this. Do you have a pic or two to share?

Model 12 is a rare bird and I would not chance shooting +P, but would carry +P if this is used for self defense.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Thank you for the help,
I will have to go buy some standard power 38's all I have is Plus P's and 357's I shoot in my 66 and 27. Just started shooting my S&W wheel guns again after years been using my Sig's P226 mark 25 and P938.

The serial# dates to about 1975. These revolvers are prone to crack the underside of the frame where the barrel threads through it. I would only shoot target velocity .38 through it if it were mine.

I carry your gun all the time. +P ammo has been an on going discussion
in alloy frames for a long time. It can create a real fire storm of opinions.
I dont make it a steady diet. Usually about six rounds a year. I have other more fun guns to shoot at my range. I sold a lot of them at my shop. Are they rare? No. It was a favorite of plain clothes LE. Go shoot it with std. velocity ammo, no harm.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Thanks all, will defiantly just shoot standard ammo through it I have plenty of other handguns I can shoot high power rounds through. Sig's Colts, S&W's. Most of my guns have been safe queens for the last few years need to get them out and use them giving some to my grand children and sons amd sell the rest.

Nyclad 125 grain is a great round for alloy guns. If you locate any my practice load is Winchester white box 130 grain fmj (like the old military round for Victorys etc) it shoots close to point of aim like the light nyclad. Here are some threads from our own forum on non plus p/alloy guns.

Best NON +p .38special?

Best non +P .38 for defense

One of our members, Saxon Pig I think, ran an extended test using +P in a model 12 and had no issues after many many rounds. I don't know if that thread can still be found with the search function.

They also make high quality .38 Special rounds designed as low recoil so they can be used in Model 12s. I think Hornady makes them. I have some somewhere for use in my Model 12 but I generally avoid shooting that gun. I've shot it, it's fine, why risk cracking it?

When I first joined the forum 12 years ago or so...
One member was trying to see how a model 12 would
hold up to +P ammo.

I think he got to around 3-4 thousand rounds with no
excessive wear or cracked FC....
Some of the old timers here may remember the story
better than I do.

I packed a two inch 12 many moons.
Have a 4 inch 12-3 still in the box.