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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 07-30-2009, 03:35 PM
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Default +p meaning?

My 337 is labeled on the side of the barrel as being for "+P Jacketed." What does this mean and why?

Thanks
Ward
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Old 07-30-2009, 03:41 PM
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Cartridge......PSI
38 Special 17,000
38 Special +P 20,000

Jacketed means gilding metal over the lead bullet.

You can also shoot regular .38

Last edited by OKFC05; 07-30-2009 at 03:43 PM.
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Old 07-30-2009, 03:46 PM
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Non jacketed lead bullets may creep out of the casing in smaller frames. The crimping on the casing doesn't hold onto the lead as well as the FMJ, so with enough vibration and such from firing the gun, the last round may pull out a bit, which could cause problems.

Standard pressure lead rounds are fine. I've yet to have any issues firing lead +Ps through my 642.
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Old 07-30-2009, 03:56 PM
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While we're on the subject...
Is the .38 +P+ not pushing the .357 threshold as far as pressure goes?
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Last edited by Phillips7609; 07-30-2009 at 03:58 PM. Reason: changed phrasing of question
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Old 07-30-2009, 04:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phillips7609 View Post
While we're on the subject...
Is the .38 +P+ not pushing the .357 threshold as far as pressure goes?
Who knows? +P+ just means however much over SAAMI pressure the manufacturer chooses. Some are a little over, some a lot.

38 Special 17,000
38 Special +P 20,000

357 Magnum 35,000

270 Winchester 65,000

SAAMI pressure specs

Last edited by OKFC05; 07-30-2009 at 04:10 PM.
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Old 07-30-2009, 04:19 PM
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According to the Tech Reps at S&W, .38 +P+ IS NOT recommended in their revolvers.

Pressure levels vary, the case has significantly less volume than a .357 case and can cause spikes in chamber pressure.

The round is basically a "proof load" and not intended for duty or sport. It was orignally developed to duplicate .357 performance in weapons chambered for .38 spl. to avoid the "stigma" of Law Enforcement carrying magnums that could really hurt the bad guys?!

Nayth
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Old 07-30-2009, 05:36 PM
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I guess I should have stated my question more clearly as I do know what the +P stands for but was unsure of the "Jacketed" portion of the marking. Thanks for the help guys.

Ward
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Old 07-30-2009, 06:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NAYTH View Post
According to the Tech Reps at S&W, .38 +P+ IS NOT recommended in their revolvers.

Pressure levels vary, the case has significantly less volume than a .357 case and can cause spikes in chamber pressure.

The round is basically a "proof load" and not intended for duty or sport. It was orignally developed to duplicate .357 performance in weapons chambered for .38 spl. to avoid the "stigma" of Law Enforcement carrying magnums that could really hurt the bad guys?!

Nayth
With that said, I can't imagine any .38 +p+ ever doing any damage to an N-Frame chambered for .357 mag.
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Old 07-30-2009, 07:27 PM
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I use Federal Premium LE 38+P+ in my carry 357 revolvers. They are no where close to magnums. The are a bit stout, but very controllable. I put them in my revolvers, Model 60 & 327, with one regular 38s, big difference but not extreme.
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Old 07-30-2009, 08:10 PM
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I also have shot +P+ in my L-Frame 686 for many years. In fact my 4 inch 686 has had over 30,000 rounds shot through it, a great percentage were the +P+ Federals. I can still hit in the k-5 area from 60 years in a decent group.
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Old 07-30-2009, 08:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WHO CARES View Post
I guess I should have stated my question more clearly as I do know what the +P stands for but was unsure of the "Jacketed" portion of the marking. Thanks for the help guys.

Ward
It simply means that your gun can safely fire +p (pressure) rounds with jacketed bullets. Lead bullets can be loaded to +P levels, but they aren't nearly so hard on the forcing cone or barrel as jacketed bullets are. Your gun can take a steady diet of them without undue wear to the forcing cone, and start of the barrel/bore.
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Old 07-30-2009, 10:45 PM
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385 got it right about the bullet creep. I've experimented with this in my j frame and have found that if I keep a certain round as my 5th shot, shoot 4 times.. reload.. keeping the same 5th shot at number 5 and continue.. that bullet creep is possible in lead rounds. It usually takes 12 or more shots though.
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Old 07-31-2009, 11:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gun 4 Fun View Post
It simply means that your gun can safely fire +p (pressure) rounds with jacketed bullets. Lead bullets can be loaded to +P levels, but they aren't nearly so hard on the forcing cone or barrel as jacketed bullets are. Your gun can take a steady diet of them without undue wear to the forcing cone, and start of the barrel/bore.
That's good as I intend to shoot 99.5% cast bullets - I just like to work in the +P pressure area.
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Old 07-31-2009, 04:05 PM
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My post was a little unclear I think. I meant that your gun was rated to shoot jacketed bullets regularly. It should last indefinately with lead bullets, but be aware that +P pressures will loosen the gun much more quickly than standard loads, even if it is rated for +P.
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327, 642, 686, cartridge, chamber pressure, j frame, model 60, n-frame, sig arms, winchester

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