Doesn't that carry the caveat that the revolver be all steel construction? Today's +P ammo isn't much stronger than today's standard round, but the boutique rounds are TOUGH and I'd hesitate to put a steady diet through my model 38 airweight. Not that it's going to 'blow it up' but it would wear prematurely.
Current production .38 Spl. alloy frame guns are rated for +P 38. If you have doubts about older guns, check with S&W. There were some exceptions as I noted. Failing that, you might want to assume that +P in alloy J frames, made before Magnum J frames, isn't a good idea.
Having seen a couple of boutique ammo makers go out of business (and at least one had a booming-no pun intended-business) due to damaged/destroyed guns & personal injury lawsuits, I personally wouldn't use their products. Now, admittedly, that was decades ago and there are more powders available that just might, by a very thin hair, make some value of SAAMI pressures. I've simply seen enough destroyed guns to be very cautious. The "booming" guy was told by several people that some of his loads appeared more than "just one toke over the line", but he persisted, claiming that was how he'd made his brand. Which is now at best a faint memory.
Given a notarized copy of an HP White Labs pressure test showing exact pressures and lot number I might change my mind-for that lot of ammo. But I doubt it. I don't need anymore physical challenges than I currently have.
When the +P+ loads were developed, the end users had to sign hold harmless agreements with the ammo companies. They specifically warned against accelerated/excessive wear or damage to firearms, possible injury and/or death to those using said firearms and end users assumed all liability for same.
Yes, using +P can accelerate wear.
