Question About My S&W 38 Special

[Rusala1965]

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum and am looking for some information. I own a S&W 38 special revolver. It serial number is C193xxx. I have been told this puts its date of manufacture between 1948 and 1951. Does this make it a pre-Model 10? Is it safe to shoot with +P ammo? It's in really great shape with only minor bluing wear and the rifling is very crisp and sharp. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks and all the best.

 

[P&R Fan]

Welcome from Iowa.
Yes, it is a Pre M10 Military and Police Revolver. A gazillion of them were made and they are very popular. S&W advises not to shoot +P in guns made prior to stamping of model numbers in 1957. If you do it won't blow up, assuming it is in good condition, but a steady diet of them is probably not a good idea.
Hope this helps.
Jim

 

[Rusala1965]

Many Thanks

Many thanks Jim, I appreciate the info & advice.

All the best,
Allan

Welcome from Iowa.
Yes, it is a Pre M10 Military and Police Revolver. A gazillion of them were made and they are very popular. S&W advises not to shoot +P in guns made prior to stamping of model numbers in 1957. If you do it won't blow up, assuming it is in good condition, but a steady diet of them is probably not a good idea.
Hope this helps.
Jim

 

[Art Doc]

If you come back and see this, the truth is that +P is loaded well below maximum allowable pressure and will not harm or wear a quality gun in good condition. +P is the biggest marketing myth since New Coke.

 

[bananaman]

Rusala, welcome to the forum! Tell us more about your 1905 4th. change Military & Police. (that is the actual name for it) I have a 1905 4th. change that was shipped from Smith in June of 1919. It is a better shooter than me. Mine is a 6" barrel, and the grips are numbered to the gun. Only my opinion, but I see no reason reason to shoot +P ammo in these older guns. I shoot +P in my 67 no dash, and my 10-8, but mostly leave +P set for Home Protection or defense reasons. I reload for target shooting and plinking. Bob

 

[Muley Gil]

"Tell us more about your 1905 4th. change Military & Police. (that is the actual name for it)"

bananaman, your revolver is a 1905 4th change. Rusala's is not.

Rusala, your revolver is a .38 Military & Police (Postwar). It has the short action that was adopted after WW II.

 

[bananaman]

Oops, I guess I did not read closely enough! Bob

 

[Rusala1965]

Story of My S&W 38

Not much to tell about this gun. It belonged to my late father; it was his duty weapon when he was in the RCMP. It's in nice shape and I shoot it regularly. I have added some pictures below. Thank you to those who offered their advice and help. Much appreciated.

Rusala, welcome to the forum! Tell us more about your 1905 4th. change Military & Police. (that is the actual name for it) I have a 1905 4th. change that was shipped from Smith in June of 1919. It is a better shooter than me. Mine is a 6" barrel, and the grips are numbered to the gun. Only my opinion, but I see no reason reason to shoot +P ammo in these older guns. I shoot +P in my 67 no dash, and my 10-8, but mostly leave +P set for Home Protection or defense reasons. I reload for target shooting and plinking. Bob

 

[Rusala1965]

That's Quite A Myth

If you come back and see this, the truth is that +P is loaded well below maximum allowable pressure and will not harm or wear a quality gun in good condition. +P is the biggest marketing myth since New Coke.

Didn't think it was a quite as big a myth as that. However, after doing some research I find out much to my surprise that some standard 38 Special loadings of the 1950's were loaded to higher pressures than the +P of today. I assume that S&W recommends not shooting +P in the older revolvers for liability reasons-we do live in a litigious society. Thanks for your input and all the best.