Can I shoot +P ammo in my Model 36?

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Being geezer I was issued 158gr. LRN. Not impressed. Range work was 148gr. wadcutters. We all learned to shoot them real good. Hot wadcutters had the penetration and made very bloody holes. Sometimes in and out. If a bone got in the way it was snapped. A LRN would get pushed around. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

53 years later I practice and qualify with 148gr Fiocchi wads,very soft shooting. Carry today is Georgia Arms 148gr. Wad with fast burning powder clocking 750 and very low flash. Can BB or Underwood offer something hotter? Yes they do. But I like my group size and follow up speed. Also I no longer shoot a 36. 442 and 340PD, I like the weight.

 

[CH4]

Yes, you can!

 

[giguchan]

While I'm not suggesting that this is an endorsement from S&W to shoot a steady diet of +P ammo in a Model 36, I thought it was interesting that the factory thought it was OK to install a +P marked barrel on my 36-2 (made in 89) that I sent in for service recently. I'm assuming they wouldn't do that if they had any concerns about shooting +P in the 36.

View attachment 775573

She's a beauty.... just picked one up last week...

 

[mtgianni]

Did you mean can I shoot + P twice in my J frame?
Still a yes.

 

[AJR337]

She's a beauty.... just picked one up last week...

You've had it for a week and you didn't post a pic?

 

[gila_dog]

Well, I finally made up my mind about ammo for my model 36. This is my wife's gun but I keep it handy as a back up concealed carry gun. My main cc gun is a Shield Plus 9. The model 36 shoots hand loaded 158 gr LSWC (3.5 gr 700x) right on at 7 yards. But for anti personnel ammo I want something that will open up and do a lot of damage, without blowing all the way thru, like a LSWC may. After watching lots of youtube videos of gel tests, I decided to try some Hornady Critical Defense 110 gr +P ammo to see where it hits the paper. It groups maybe 1/2" lower than the 158 gr LSWC, windage is right on, and that's good enough for me. I didn't notice any difference in recoil between the Hornadys and the LSWC so I don't think I'm beating the gun up with them. Anyway, it will probably almost never shoot those Hornadys, since they cost 85 cents each. The LSWC ammo will be my (and her) practice ammo. If for some reason I ever felt the need to shoot a big predator, like a bear or mountain lion with that gun, the LSWC would be the best choice. So when we go on hikes and I take that gun, LSWC is what it's loaded with. I keep a speed strip of Hornadys and another one of LSWC in my wife's pistol bag as backup ammo. She's pretty good with that little gun. I would hate to have her shooting at me!