1905 4th

[jumbeaux]

I have a pre-10 M&P serial number 243XXX...I have been shooting the standard 158 grain round nose lead ammo. I have acquired a quantity of the Winchester White Box 130 FMJ & a couple 20 round boxes of the Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure rounds. Are these okay for this revolver. The Buffalo Bore would be a cylinder full then loaded for the just in case. The FMJ would be my plinking ammo. Approximate date of manufacture too ?

Thank you...

rick

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Is there a letter in front of the serial number like s or c? If not it was made before World War I. Yes you can shoot whatever you like in it.

Guy

 

[glowe]

Since you know it is a 38 M&P, 4th Change, that serial number probably shipped in 1915 - 1917, or 104 years ago. These revolvers have hardly anything in common with a post-WWII Pre-Model 10.

For me that is too early to shoot jacketed bullets. Lead and slow is my preference. Buffalo Bore does not show 130g FMJ online that I could find. I did find a similar loads that were all 900 fps. One was Standard Pressure Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Ammo - 125gr. Jacketed Hollow Point (900fps/M.E. 225 ft. lbs.). My preference is around 700 fps. Low pressure lead for me. It is easy on the mechanism and still performs great. Do you know for sure that the ammo has not been reloaded?

 

[jumbeaux]

1905

Mr. Lowe...the 130 FMJ is Winchester White Box (similar to the Military issue FMJ)...the Buffalo Bore is Hard Cast Lead...

Guy there is no letter...

rick

 

[DWalt]

Indeed your SN puts it into the probable 1914-16 period, which is far earlier than what most collectors consider a "pre-Model 10" to be, which is the 1948-58 period. And you can safely use any standard velocity .38 Special loads in it. S&W always advised using only lead bullets in earlier (pre-WWII) guns because the barrel steel alloy used in them at that time was softer and more prone to wear from firing jacketed bullets. But you would have to fire many, many jacketed bullets to noticeably wear the bore.

 

[lamarw]

I was waiting for DWalt to come along and provided a helping hand. He takes his personal time and does this on a frequent basis for many of us. It is most appreciated when you are on the receiving end.

The main reason I was waiting was to get an indication of just how much the war years slowed commercial production. I have a post war Model 1904 fourth change with serial number 373350 which was manufactured in March of 1921. So, we are looking at maybe only a hundred to a hundred and fifty thousand manufactured in a 5 to 7 year period. I am sure DWalt has a closer estimate.

 

[JP@AK]

just how much the war years slowed commercial production.

It slowed it down yes. But for a year or so, it was completely stopped. The government actually took over the company for wartime production of the Model 1917.

I have a post war Model 1904 fourth change with serial number 373350 which was manufactured in March of 1921.

"Manufactured?" How do you know that? Shipped is probably what you mean. Right?

Cheers!

 

[jumbeaux]

Hat in hand

Is there a letter in front of the serial number like s or c? If not it was made before World War I. Yes you can shoot whatever you like in it.

Guy

Sir I finally dug this revolver out of the safe and sure enough it has a C in front of the serial number. C 243XXX When I logged the serial number down in my "book" I left the C off. Sir I really feel like a knucklehead...I appreciate you straightening me out.

I really appreciate everyone's responses. Now to review all of my numbers.

rick

 

[Absalom]

Sir I finally dug this revolver out of the safe and sure enough it has a C in front of the serial number. C 243XXX When I logged the serial number down in my "book" I left the C off.

So you were correct in your initial post after all, and this can indeed be legitimately called a pre-Model 10, being from 1953

 

[daddio202]

A S&W made in 1953 can shoot any commercial ammo no problem. But I like 158 grain lead along with 148 grain lead wadcutters for best accuracy. No sense in shooting really hot stuff that beats up on the gun regularly. Enjoy!