38 Special Federal 147 gr. +P+ ??

[M1Lover]

Anybody know about the pressures created by this ammo? Safe to shoot in the Model 64? Care to opine? Thanks, H.

 

[roker]

Thats a very HOT load..! I do not think its wise to use it in any handgun. I could be misinformed though.

 

[PPCSHOOTER]

YEP SAFE IN A MODEL 64 . NO PROBLEM. JP

 

[BreakerDan]

Any +P or +P+ ammunition will accelerate wear, but unless
you plan to shoot thousands of rounds you would not see
a problem. I have been told that this ammo briefly spikes
+P pressure and does not get up much higher. It is not
as hot as the 38 Special Winchester +P+ 110 gr at 23000 cup.

I have shot a good bit of it in a 10-5
and had no problem. It has an excellent
reputation for accuracy and reliability when it counts.
This was the last round the FBI authorized
for revolvers before the transition to the automatics.

The only thing I would not put these in would be pre WWII
pistols or Spanish junk guns. Your Model 64 will handle them fine.

 

[smith revolver cop]

I believe one of the early .38 Special +P+ loads was designed for the Cincinnati Police Department, so they could get more punch without the political fallout of carrying "Magnum" loads. Not sure if they ever used them in their Model 10s, but they used them for years in Model 65s. Since the only major structural difference (barrel profile notwithstanding) between a 64 and 65 is the cylinder length and chamber length, I can't see why it would be a problem. Obviously, extensive use will put a lot of wear on the gun, but the +P+ has been used in plenty of K frames.

 

[M1Lover]

Good call Gents. THANX. H.

 

[stiab]

I chronoed some from a 1970 vintage Model 60, and the results were not very impressive, but I can't access that info right now. Speed and pressure don't have a linear relationship, so it may be +P+ without achieving special results. I would not hesitate to shot it in a Model 64, if it were mine.

 

[Texas Star]

I believe one of the early .38 Special +P+ loads was designed for the Cincinnati Police Department, so they could get more punch without the political fallout of carrying "Magnum" loads. Not sure if they ever used them in their Model 10s, but they used them for years in Model 65s. Since the only major structural difference (barrel profile notwithstanding) between a 64 and 65 is the cylinder length and chamber length, I can't see why it would be a problem. Obviously, extensive use will put a lot of wear on the gun, but the +P+ has been used in plenty of K frames.

You're losing sight of the M-65 being a .357, with different steel alloys and heat treatment.

Unless someone gives you this ammo, I'd stay with the basic lead Plus P HP FBI load that preceded this. That IS safe in .38's and has a good rep. The JHP version was supposedly to enhance penetration in cars. Don't know how well it did. Might not expand in people as well as the lead version, which is within SAAMI Plus P specs.

 

[David Sinko]

Velocity out of my Model 64 with 2" barrel is 860 FPS. This particular batch is headstamped FC89. I would not hesitate to use it in a Model 64.

Dave Sinko

 

[crows]

I never chronographed it, but felt recoil was definately less than Fed 158 LSWC +P. I would not hesitate to shoot it in a 64. What I have I bought years ago. From what I've seen of the prices on it I wouldn't waste the money on it. I was underwhelmed by it. But, to each his own.

 

[Erich]

It's not all that fast (más o menos 900 fps from a 1 7/8" barrel, 950 from a 3", 1k from a 4") , but (we discussed this here in some detail a few years back - back before The Great Disappearance of Old Posts) someone here confirmed that it does briefly spike above SAAMI specs for .38 Special +P (so it is a +P+). Accordingly, I wouldn't use it in my 1916 Police Positive Special, but I have no problem using it in any of my postwar K-frames and it's what I usually carry in my J-frames (in town), as this is the first .38 Spl ammo that was specifically designed to meet the FBI protocols. I have a decent amount of it laid back - I wouldn't necessarily seek it out.