Date Model 36, OK for +P?

[jacker]

I have a 36 N 2" barrel revolver, it was acquired used but nearly new in the 1990's. The serial number is J318xxx (last three digits are not included in post).

I wonder what the year of manufacture is?

It was as new but had been fired a little when I got it, it has only been fired once since.

The gun has two visible screws on the right side of the frame and a grip screw.

I don't know if this gun is OK for use with +P loads or not and cannot find the answer on the S&W pages.

I'm going to make a gift of the gun to a family member and want to make sure they know if it is OK with +P ammo.

Thanks for any help.

Jack

 

[Rpg]

Smith says all model numbered guns are ok with +p ammo.

If yours is marked M36, it's ok with +p.

+p is harder on your hand and your wallet than it is on the gun and offers a trivial benefit compared to standard ammo.

 

[jacker]

Thanks for the reply and the info, I don't see a compelling need to use +P ammo but it is good to know the gun can handle it.

Is there a quick and easy way to date a S&W gun by the serial number? It has always seemed like that should be something that S&W would publish and share but I can't seem to find it.

Jack

 

[linde]

I have a 36 N 2" barrel revolver . . . serial number is J318xxx . . . I wonder what the year of manufacture is? . . .

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (4th edition) table in Appendix A shows 1975-1976 as J250001-J370000 . . . that would place J318xxx in late '75 or early '76.

Russ

 

[TravisPNW]

+p is harder on your hand and your wallet than it is on the gun and offers a trivial benefit compared to standard ammo.

I've got a 3" 686 and have seen a few say that they prefer the +P over the .357 load for SD. It would be easier on your hearing too... I know I don't go to bed with my ear muffs on.

Thoughts?

 

[Rpg]

I suspect a good deal of the sentiment in favor of 38+p vs 357 has to do with ease of follow up shots.

If you're looking to reduce muzzle blast, stick with sub sonic rounds.

I find 45 acp much more pleasant than anything in excess of the speed of sound noise wise.

No handgun rounds are pleasant to shoot without hearing protection indoors but some are worse than others.

 

[TravisPNW]

I suspect a good deal of the sentiment in favor of 38+p vs 357 has to do with ease of follow up shots.

If you're looking to reduce muzzle blast, stick with sub sonic rounds.

I find 45 acp much more pleasant than anything in excess of the speed of sound noise wise.

No handgun rounds are pleasant to shoot without hearing protection indoors but some are worse than others.

Yeah I hear ya. I bought some bulk 38's for the range and went with the +p's for CC/SD. Still got quite a few boxes of .357 in case I change my mind.

Thanks for the comment!

 

[linde]

Smith says all model numbered guns are ok with +p ammo . . . If yours is marked M36, it's ok with +p.

+p is harder on your hand and your wallet than it is on the gun and offers a trivial benefit compared to standard ammo.

Rpg's comment above was in response to the OP's question . . . "I don't know if this gun is OK for use with +P loads or not and cannot find the answer on the S&W pages." He was referring to his small J frame Model 36 with 2" barrel chambered for .38 Special. His question has been answered by others.

I've got a 3" 686 and have seen a few say that they prefer the +P over the .357 load for SD. It would be easier on your hearing too... I know I don't go to bed with my ear muffs on. Thoughts?

You are now asking about using .38 Special +P in a reinforced medium L frame with 3" barrel that is chambered for .357 Magnum . . . and yes, I agree +P .38 Special is easier on the hand and ears than .357 Magnum . . . but we may have entered the realm of comparing apples and oranges.

In general . . . the heavier-the-frame and the longer-the-barrel, the better a hotter charge can effectively utilize the larger powder charge and remain comfortable to handle.

Russ

 

[TravisPNW]

You are now asking about using .38 Special +P in a reinforced medium L frame with 3" barrel that is chambered for .357 Magnum . . . and yes, I agree +P .38 Special is easier on the hand and ears than .357 Magnum . . . but we may have entered the realm of comparing apples and oranges.

In general . . . the heavier-the-frame and the longer-the-barrel, the better a hotter charge can effectively utilize the larger powder charge and remain comfortable to handle.

Russ

Yeah I was just curious is all. While the .357 round definitely packed a bigger punch than the 38's/+p's they were all easy to handle and didn't cause any discomfort for me at the range last week.

Thanks for the comment!

 

[jacker]

Thanks to all for the discussion and additional details.

Jack

 

[jacker]

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (4th edition) table in Appendix A shows 1975-1976 as J250001-J370000 . . . that would place J318xxx in late '75 or early '76.

Russ

Thanks Russ,

This is exactly the details I was looking for!

I have not had any luck at all on finding that catalog as a download, your mention of it brought up that "vigilink" automatic link generator but that is not taking me to anyplace where I can download the catalog.

Even the S&W catalog page seems to not have any kind of a serial number history by model listing.

Jack

 

[flagman1776]

I'm not sure you will find it explicitely stated anywhere these days. I have my M36-1 SN J6418XX which I bought new in 1980. At that time, S&W stated that all their model marked steel frame guns were rated for +P. I believe your steel frame M36 is so marked in the yoke cut, as is mine.
I would and do use standard loads for practice.
Because of advances in the ammunition industry... modern "+P" Self Defense loads are actually not as high pressure as those old loads.