I have a Model 60-4 with 3" barrel and adjustable sights. My question concerns the use of +P rounds in that gun. I know there have been issues with flame cutting on some models but i have not heard if this is an issue with this specific model. It is a nice shooting revolver. Thanks for the information.

Stinger

Go ahead and shoot them. Before 1972 many factory 38 Special loads were equivalent to what we would now consider Plus P. It was then the industry standardized the 38 Special to lesser pressure. That created a marketing opportunity to market higher pressure rounds as +P -- but they're still well within the engineering limits of your Model 60-4.

I have a a 60-4 also, and for concealed carry mine has Federal Hydra-shok 129 grain JHP +P under the hammer. Ashlander is very correct in his explanation regarding the industry standardize marketing.

I really don't know how flame-cutting got to be such a bugaboo. It is simply a non-issue. True, on some revolvers after a while there will be some minor erosion of the topstrap right at the cylinder-barrel junction. On most revolvers it won't occur, and what folks are seeing is lead/powder fouling. But even if it does happen, it is very shallow and self-limiting -- in other words, after progressing to a certain non-critical degree it goes no further.

Shoot your gun and enjoy it. No factory-spec .38 load, standard or +P,will harm it.

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Pisgah

If you fire the gun at all, even with standard pressure loads, you will notice a sideways wear line appear on the top strap, near the forcing cone - that is "flame cutting". It is much more pronounced with heavy use of high-pressure loads (.357s, etc.) but any used gun that has had more than a few rounds will have one, however slight. Agree you can use .38 +P in your 60-4. Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

IMHO the only loads that need to be used sparingly would be CorBon and Buffalo Bore. The CorBon .38 Special +P's are hot hot and the Buffalo Bore 38/44 loads are pretty warm, too. I don't know anyone who could shoot a hundred rounds of either in one session (due to the cost I mean). You probably will not be able to wear out your Model 60 in your lifetime. There must be other factory hot loads out there that I don't know about (I have shot both the brands mentioned). You will be fine.

I have a M60 (1974ish) don't remmember the dash model, it's not stamped +P on the barrel and when I shoot the +P rounds the cylinder needs ALOT of effort to release. Normal 38 spcl ammo never causes a problem.