.38 Special Help

[skijoe79]

I am looking into buying a .38 Special From a freind and he has limited knowledge on the gun, as it belonged to his father. Can anyone tell me how old it is and also if +P rounds can be fired from it? I have attached a picture of the Serial Number and also a side view of the gun. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Stay Well,
Joey

[diamonback68]

What you have is an early Chiefs Special that later became the Model 36 after 1958. Yours was shipped in 1956. S&W says that model marked revolvers are probably okay to shoot +Ps, but in your case it's a fairly old gun and I would stick with standard loads for practice and reserve the +Ps for carry only. I would also keep those in the 158 grain range and stay away from the hot 110 and 125 grain +P loads.

[Waywatcher]

I agree with most of the above, except the gun pictured is a J-frame, 5 shot, which makes it a 36/pre-36.

Open up the cylinder to the side, and look at the frame where the yoke matches up. If it says 36, +P is generally regarded as acceptable. If there is no model number, it would be considered a pre-36 and +P ammo would not be recommended.

[Maximumbob54]

Change that to Model 36 and I agree with all of the above.

I actually like the old square butt Chiefs Special and would love to find one for myself.

[Silver Dollar]

I used to own a model 36-1 from 1981. It was a great shooting gun and accurate too. When I bought it, the seller specifically warned me against using +P ammo. I definitely would not use it in that model. Usually you can see the type of round you need marked on the side of the barrel. If it doesn't say +P, don't use it.

[DAinTX]

Just FYI, there are some very good non-+P loads available for HD/SD. It's not like there aren't choices.

[shouldazagged]

Buffalo Bore markets a non-+P 158 grain LSWCHP they say is safe for all S&W revolvers. Clocks at 880 fps, and they say flash is low. I haven't tried it yet, but may. Probably has a bit of a kick to it.

[sac-gunslinger]

Buffalo Bore also markets a 150 grain Wadcutter that produces about 850 fps. The flat face of the wadcutter does a good job of distoring tissue rather that slipping through it. Buffalo uses a European powder that produces these velocities without creating too much pressue on your gun.

I have my snubbies loaded with the 150 grain wadcutter then I carry a speedloader loaded with the 158 grain load that shouldazagged referenced.

[shawn mccarver]

Originally Posted by shouldazagged

Buffalo Bore markets a non-+P 158 grain LSWCHP they say is safe for all S&W revolvers. Clocks at 880 fps, and they say flash is low. I haven't tried it yet, but may. Probably has a bit of a kick to it.

Or, you could try the Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman load (20H/20), which is the same as the old .38/44 load. They say it is safe in all 38 Special S&Ws also. You don't have to get in front to figure out that it just went off!

[diamonback68]

Originally Posted by Waywatcher

I agree with most of the above, except the gun pictured is a J-frame, 5 shot, which makes it a 36/pre-36.

Sorry, my typo.

[tlay]

I would think the old 38/44 load is considered to be rated about +P.

[shawn mccarver]

Originally Posted by tlay

I would think the old 38/44 load is considered to be rated about +P.

No doubt, but I shoot them anyway with no ill effects except for occasional bouts of arthritic-like soreness when the weather changes! Certainly hasn't hurt any guns.

Remember, Colt certified its D frame (Detective Special and Police Positive) as safe for this load, and S&W did the same with its M&P K frame, at least originally. For years, the Feds used the +P+ "Treasury Load" in their S&W revolvers. All you get is accelerated wear, on both the firearm and your arm.

Thus, fire a few to familiarize and then do most practice with standard pressure ammo. The budget requires it!

[skijoe79]

Thank you all for your help and input. I did look by the cylinder and it was stamped with 6 numbers, but I did not see any markings for +P, so I will likely shoot non +P rounds out of it. It sounds like I have found a gem and I am assuming I got it at a good deal as I paid less than $100 for it. Thanks again, All!

Stay Well,
Joey

[Parker357]

Less than $100 bucks for it, you better hope he doesn't tell anyone else what he sold it to you for. Did youoffer to take him to lunch or offer to buy him a steak and lobster dinner, you got a great deal on that 36, he could have sold it for five to six times that price.

[jsfricks]

Wow! Less than a $100 bucks! Now that, is a friend! (why don't I have any friends like that, come to think of it, why don't I have any friends!) Sorry, did I say that out loud?

[skijoe79]

After I found out all of the information, I tried to offer him more and he declined. He simply said, "I will have nothing to do with the gun, my wife hates them." Weird, I know. I did throw a case of beer his way to try and make myself feel better. I bet his wife may change her tune when she hears about it.

[cocojo]

I would not use +P ammo in that gun. Older 36's were not designed for them. The gun is not going to blow up but it will stretch the frame or cause other issues. Stick to standard velocity ammo. If in doubt call S&W about it.

[skijoe79]

I have decided to do just that. Stick with the standard velocity ammo. Thanks again.