+P rated or not?

[Dano]

I have an old m36 no dash; sn#67xxx. Ammo being what it
is, I can find plenty of +P but not so much in plain Jane .38.
Just wondering if it would be ok to use +P ammo in it?
It has sentimental value as it was my on duty back up for a
good 25 years of my 41 year career as a LEO. Don't want to
damage it. Figured a lot of you guys are more knowledgeable
about these things than I am.
Thanks,
Dano

 

[Alk8944]

If the serial number you posted is correct, with no prefix letter, then no, you shouldn't even think about +P ammunition. The gun would have been built in 1906, 13-14 years before the cylinders were heat-treated.

If there is a S, C, or D in front of the number then you can shoot +p with little concern. The +P will cause accelerated wear compared to standard pressure ammunition, but that is true of even current production guns.

 

[murphydog]

With the serial number you quoted it should not be model stamped at all. If it has a letter in front or within the serial number (on the bottom of the grip frame) and is stamped MOD 36, limited +P use should be fine.

 

[Doug M.]

Paging SaxonPig ...

 

[Art Doc]

Yeah... yeah... I tried to ignore it and I couldn't

It's a model 36. Not made in 1906.

As for +P, there are several opinions you will see expressed. Here's mine. Modern mainstream +P is loaded well below maximum allowable chamber pressure. So why would +P be harmful in any way? I have done considerable testing of +P in several older revolvers and in my opinion it's a fairly mild target load. All the concern about +P is based on the fallacy that it's a hot load. It is not. S&W started this "Rated for +P" malarkey on advice of counsel. It's CYA in our litigious society.

There. I said it. I ain't proud of myself...

 

[O2Guy]

I'm guessing at least two more pages.

 

[Alk8944]

Yeah... yeah... I tried to ignore it and I couldn't

murphydog- It's a model 36. Not made in 1906.

Blame me, not Murphydog, I missed the M-36 remark in the OPs post.

 

[murphydog]

Yes, I understand the model 36 was not produced on 1906 - that was the pencil barrel CTG era . What I was getting at is the OP was reading the assembly number instead of the SN - a five-digit SN would not be a model 36 without a letter in there somewhere.

Didn't know you had an opinion on +P .38 .

 

[Doug M.]

If he is not saving time by having the text ready to copy and paste, he's making an error. I knew he would show up, especially if I poured the bucket into the fan and summoned him.

 

[Dano]

If the serial number you posted is correct, with no prefix letter, then no, you shouldn't even think about +P ammunition. The gun would have been built in 1906, 13-14 years before the cylinders were heat-treated.

If there is a S, C, or D in front of the number then you can shoot +p with little concern. The +P will cause accelerated wear compared to standard pressure ammunition, but that is true of even current production guns.

Let's try this again. Serial #678xxx. Six numbers, no letters
and it is a MOD 36 with no Dash. Biggest reason I'm asking is
that my SIL and Daughter have asked me for a home defense
gun. I gave them a Circuit Judge a couple years ago but they
asked me for a pistol. I have a set of CT Laser Grips on this
gun (the extra length set LG 305) and out of all my pistols
and revolvers, daughter wants this one because it does have
so much sentimental value to me. Anyway, neither of them
know much about hand guns. My daughter can shoot one but
never wanted to learn about them and ammunition and I want
to make absolutely sure they don't damage it with +P if it
won't take it. I'm going to spend several weekends working
with them and explaining that each bullet has a lawyer
attached and when I trust them to safely handle a handgun,
only then will I turn it over to them.
Sorry for the confusion guys. I appreciate your replies. Kinda
wish it was as old as that, sure would be a collectors dream.
Thanks,
Dano

 

[dubious]

Are you sure your looking at the bottom of the grip? I mistook the number inside the frame for the serial number. Bottom the the grip is correct.

 

[66Park]

If it says MOD 36 on it, occasional +P isn't going to hurt it. It is a 1957 or later gun if it has a model number. I would be concerned whether or not your daughter and sister in law can handle a J frame with +P ammo. It's not a beginner's gun. I shoot my 36 no dash quite frequently, and it's not fun or easy on the hands.

 

[oldafsp]

Dano,

As some of the others have expressed, and I will add my agreement..the J frames are not easy guns to shoot. They require continual practice and are not particularly easy on the hand or wrist.

Even ammo like the 130gr fmj Remington found at Wally World is a sharp recoiling round out of a j frame. Good grips will certainly help.

After training numerous women in defensive revolver shooting, I have found that everyone of them were more comfortable and better shooters with a Model 10-6 heavy barrel 4 inch in .38 special.

The extra weight wasn't so much the factor as they found it was very controllable and accurate to shoot. And they excelled with it, with moderate practice.

Just my honest opinion.
Good luck to you.

 

[66Park]

Dano,

As some of the others have expressed, and I will add my agreement..the J frames are not easy guns to shoot. They require continual practice and are not particularly easy on the hand or wrist.

Even ammo like the 130gr fmj Remington found at Wally World is a sharp recoiling round out of a j frame. Good grips will certainly help.

After training numerous women in defensive revolver shooting, I have found that everyone of them were more comfortable and better shooters with a Model 10-6 heavy barrel 4 inch in .38 special.

The extra weight wasn't so much the factor as they found it was very controllable and accurate to shoot. And they excelled with it, with moderate practice.

Just my honest opinion.
Good luck to you.

I would agree that a Model 10 with 4 inch heavy barrel would be a far superior choice to an M36 for an inexperienced shooter. If the goal is to defend one's life, you need a gun that is something you can enjoy putting lots of rounds through, not something that is difficult and brutal to shoot.

 

[poordevil]

My opinion only, but if the gun is marked .38 Smith And Wesson Special then it should and can handle .38 Special ammo. If not, then some major recalls are in order to save the
public and remove the inferior guns.

Over the years ammo velocity has gone all over the board. I have many boxes or 110 Winchester +P+. It is not frightening. I saw a crono test on YouTube and it was moving at 948fps. Slower than I expected and frankly a little disappointing. I have seen those 130 gr full metal ammo clock at 640fps.....that is .38 Short Colt velocity. Then I saw an other brand of 130 FMJ and it advertised at 900+-

Do we have too much emotion invested in the .38 Special. I know for a fact I sure do. The stories now seem to be....is it going to blow up with factory ammo. At the reduced velocity's will it stop the bad guy . Will the bullet go all the way through, or not go far enough? If I shoot him, will it hurt him? Will he know he has been shoot or will he even feel better for having been shot?

 

[Dano]

I agree with the M36 not being the ideal first weapon. I tried
to talk her into my M19 and use 38's or 38+P's but she wants
my 36. It's not like she hasn't shot it before. She was shooting it when she was 12 yrs old. My SIL (Son-in-Law) is 6'2" and 250
pounds. Not worried about him being able to handle it. I would
prefer to keep it at home with me. Even offered my M29 with
a few hundred rounds of .44 Special. No, she wants my 36.
During the time frame when I let them shoot it under my
supervision, I'll let them shoot the 19 and the 29 and 'maybe'
I'll convince her to take one of them. The only other revolvers
I have are a M642 and a M38 Airweight. Both kick a lot worse
than my M36. Oh, I forgot the 2 Taurus Public Defenders. She
won't even try one of them. The LG 305 Grips are
longer and give one a good full hand grip.
I just wasn't sure about the +P. I'll tell them to leave the +P
ammo alone unless they just have to.
Thanks,
Dano

 

[Florida J Frame]

Freedom Munitions is showing 38SPL non +P in stock

 

[pharmer]

Pg 399 of the SCSW 3rd shows "Early J range" 1955 ser#'s 55050-75000. HTH Joe

 

[DWalt]

sn#67xxx would put it around late 1955, maybe a little later. But certainly +P would be OK assuming you feel the need to do so. I see very little purpose in using it for recreational shooting. For personal defense, a cylinder load might provide some benefits.

 

[66Park]

I agree with the M36 not being the ideal first weapon. I tried
to talk her into my M19 and use 38's or 38+P's but she wants
my 36. It's not like she hasn't shot it before. She was shooting it when she was 12 yrs old. My SIL (Son-in-Law) is 6'2" and 250
pounds. Not worried about him being able to handle it. I would
prefer to keep it at home with me. Even offered my M29 with
a few hundred rounds of .44 Special. No, she wants my 36.
During the time frame when I let them shoot it under my
supervision, I'll let them shoot the 19 and the 29 and 'maybe'
I'll convince her to take one of them. The only other revolvers
I have are a M642 and a M38 Airweight. Both kick a lot worse
than my M36. Oh, I forgot the 2 Taurus Public Defenders. She
won't even try one of them. The LG 305 Grips are
longer and give one a good full hand grip.
I just wasn't sure about the +P. I'll tell them to leave the +P
ammo alone unless they just have to.
Thanks,
Dano

Ok. That makes more sense. My vision of two inexperienced women trying to shoot +P out of an M36 and realizing it is not the gun for them after one shot was unfounded. Still, there are much easier guns for anyone to shoot in a home defense role. I guess you've tried to tell them that! If it were me, I'd take the 19 or the 29 loaded up with .44 Special.