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Airweight Centennial +P or Not
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jringo8769
Member
Well hello and welcome to the forum
Pics and better info are needed to help you
Inside the crane there should be a model number
On the bottom of the grip frame should be a serial number
Pics will help people give you the info you need
Older airweight frame I would Not suggest plus p ammo
Great 38 special with 158 gr bullets are more than capable of stopping power
Stay safe out there
God Bless,John
Sent from my SM-S727VL using Tapatalk
Pics and better info are needed to help you
Inside the crane there should be a model number
On the bottom of the grip frame should be a serial number
Pics will help people give you the info you need
Older airweight frame I would Not suggest plus p ammo
Great 38 special with 158 gr bullets are more than capable of stopping power
Stay safe out there
God Bless,John
Sent from my SM-S727VL using Tapatalk
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Welcome! The serial number is on the bottom of the grip frame and may require removal of the grip panel(s) to see it.
However, if the gun has a J shaped lug that is part of the frame (the protrusion on the left side that keeps the cylinder from sliding backward off the yoke) it is + P rated, presuming it is a .38 Special.
However, if the gun has a J shaped lug that is part of the frame (the protrusion on the left side that keeps the cylinder from sliding backward off the yoke) it is + P rated, presuming it is a .38 Special.
Welcome to the Forum
Every Smith and Wesson that is in good mechanical condition and 60 years old or newer, is capable of safely chambering and firing SAAMI +P specification ammunition without the worry of catastrophic failure
Now, no matter what the firearm is made of, +P ammunition will accelerate wear and tear on the firearm when compared to non +P ammunition
Every Smith and Wesson that is in good mechanical condition and 60 years old or newer, is capable of safely chambering and firing SAAMI +P specification ammunition without the worry of catastrophic failure
Now, no matter what the firearm is made of, +P ammunition will accelerate wear and tear on the firearm when compared to non +P ammunition
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Loyaljeeper
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S&w claims there is an exception with Airweights made prior to 1996 when they went to the longer magnum frame and they should not shoot plus p. However, I have shot a lot out of my early Airweight without cracking the frame.
I believe the exact language is any steel frame with a model number can safely shoot plus p.
I believe the exact language is any steel frame with a model number can safely shoot plus p.
I'd avoid using 38 plus P in any Airweight and for that matter a steel J frame. Just my opinion they are not target guns but with some practice are quite accurate within a reasonable distance, best for concealment and as a backup.
Model46
SWCA Member
I would not recommend using +P ammo in any airweight gun. Why beat the **** out of your revolver?
Just my opinion. Yours may differ.
Just my opinion. Yours may differ.
Yes you can. But why? Self defense?
Thirty to fourty years ago higher pressure ammo was required to get needed expansion. No so with today's ammo. There's plenty of standard pressure, Self defense ammo out there, that is very effective. No real need for +P
Thirty to fourty years ago higher pressure ammo was required to get needed expansion. No so with today's ammo. There's plenty of standard pressure, Self defense ammo out there, that is very effective. No real need for +P
ContinentalOp
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A non-+P-rated airweight should be ok with occasional use of +P. For example, fire a cylinder or two to check for reliability, how it shoots, and whether or not you can handle it, then maybe periodically fire a cylinder's worth to keep up. It will accelerate wear, which can affect timing, but you're not likely to experience a catastrophic failure ("not likely" is not the same as "never").
However, as has been said, there are a number of viable self defense loads that are not +P (presuming you can find them...
). My favorite is the Federal 125gr Nyclad, though that's been discontinued for a while now. I still have a few boxes on hand. I've been wanting to try Winchester's 130gr Defend JHP load. 148gr wadcutters are another good option. Though I use +P in my 642-1 (which is +P-rated), I keep some WC on hand as a low recoil option.
I will give a little cautionary remark. Buffalo Bore makes some loads that they say are standard pressure, i.e. not +P. However, because of the velocities they're able to produce, I consider them the same as +P and use them accordingly.
Just my opinion.
However, as has been said, there are a number of viable self defense loads that are not +P (presuming you can find them...
). My favorite is the Federal 125gr Nyclad, though that's been discontinued for a while now. I still have a few boxes on hand. I've been wanting to try Winchester's 130gr Defend JHP load. 148gr wadcutters are another good option. Though I use +P in my 642-1 (which is +P-rated), I keep some WC on hand as a low recoil option.I will give a little cautionary remark. Buffalo Bore makes some loads that they say are standard pressure, i.e. not +P. However, because of the velocities they're able to produce, I consider them the same as +P and use them accordingly.
Just my opinion.
transit
Member
Find the serial number.
In the blind, for carry? I would say yes, +P.
In the blind, for carry? I would say yes, +P.
Welcome to the S&W Forums!
Although your Airweight Centennial is not likely to suffer from a failure when firing 38 Special +P ammo, I would certainly not make a habit of doing so. Maybe one cylinder full at the end of a practice session, just for familiarization. My experience with the steel frame J-frame S&W's is that one cylinder full of +P might be enough for you to reconsider the practicality of +P in such a lightweight revolver.
With modern ammo, especially loads developed specifically for short barrel revolvers, +P is no longer necessary for reliable bullet performance.
Doug M.
Member
Most of us will have used all the fun there is or will ever be with a cylinder full of a stout load in a light gun. The best all-around answer if one must carry a J frame as a primary is to use the 148 grain WC target load, with standard velocity SWC for reloads.
3rdgeargrndrr
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Im probably repeating what others have said.
If you do, make sure you have a habit of checking for accelerated wear. I wouldn't worry personally about it. If possible stick to loads above 125g, to reduce the aforementioned
If you do, make sure you have a habit of checking for accelerated wear. I wouldn't worry personally about it. If possible stick to loads above 125g, to reduce the aforementioned
JAREDSHS
Member
Well -not trying to insult anyone's opinion or feelings in any way, because you guys are
the best of the best. My 637-2 Airweight Chief's Special reads "38S&W SPL+P" on the Barrel right under the SMITH&WESSON. I don't believe for a second that the maker would
endanger me or the condition of the fire arm if the normal lifetime of the gun could not
stand up to a normal amount of use of plus P ammo. I currently carry Remington +P 158
grain lead semiwadcutter hollopoints. They shoot to my point of aim and I like them.
the best of the best. My 637-2 Airweight Chief's Special reads "38S&W SPL+P" on the Barrel right under the SMITH&WESSON. I don't believe for a second that the maker would
endanger me or the condition of the fire arm if the normal lifetime of the gun could not
stand up to a normal amount of use of plus P ammo. I currently carry Remington +P 158
grain lead semiwadcutter hollopoints. They shoot to my point of aim and I like them.
ContinentalOp
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Not all airweights are rated for +P like yours. Before 1996, I believe, airweights were not rated for +P, including the OP's snub, based on his post. At that time they switched to the J-Magnum frames which are stronger. My 642-1 is rated for +P, but my 642ND is not. While I keep +P in my 642ND for defensive purposes, I reserve shooting +P to my 642-1.
Same here. My M60 Talo .38 with a 3" barrel and adjustable sights also says same.
If you handload, Handloader Magazine has a special issue from 2017 that's still on their list of available past issues. They list a couple standard pressure tested loads that hit factory +P velocities, which is one option. I use a standard pressure Tite-Group load for the 158gr Speer LSWC HP that hits +P speeds in my M637, it shoots to POA out to 25yds. The Speer LSWC HP will expand at close range, (10yds).
Otherwise, I think the Airweight can likely sustain limited +P use without a problem. I don't use them myself.
