First off, let me just state that I know no one can authoratively state anything for sure regarding my particular gun, without proper examination by a gunsmith, etc, etc. I am just looking for some general ideas though to point my in the right direction before doing that.

I have an early 40's K frame (pre-10, pre-victory), that was rebarreled into a snubbie in the late 40's/early 50's for a police department. Its a .38 Special cylinder, barrel and all, was never a British lend gun that was reamed out later on, etc. Shoots brilliantly, proverbial glass rod breaking trigger, good condition.

I am just curious if it would be okay to try shooting some of the modern +P rounds through it? I am planning on using it as a carry gun and would just like to be able to load something a bit hotter than regular .38 for defensive purposes. Someone I already asked suggested calling Smith and Wesson directly, but I figured I'd start here on the internet first...