New subscriber to this forum and a novice gun owner. I purchased a Smith & Wesson 38 special (model 10-5 with 3 inch barrel) about 30 years ago for basic home protection. Its rarely been used (local shooting range a couple times). After reading through this thread I assume its OK to load +P ammo (home defense load) in the gun only if needed to be used for protection. I can't really find non +P home defense loads. About every 10 years I take it to my local gun shop to be cleaned and test shot and every time they say the gun is in good condition (as it should be since its had less than about 200 shots fired).