Help with ammo

[Gizmotech13]

Hello,

I'm sure this is going to sound stupid but I would rather ask a stupid sounding question then end up in the ER or worse. I have a 38 revolver that I got when my mother died years ago that I would like to take out and relearn to use, its been probably 15 years but I remember that 38's had something off about ammo. So I just want to make sure that the ammo in the picture can be shot out of the firearm in the pictures.

Thank you

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Those should do fine, but they may not shoot to point of aim. .38 special revolvers from that era were regulated to point of aim with lead 158 grain bullets.

 

[dmn57]

Certainly not an expert, but that looks to be to be a Model 10 with a tapered barrel (positive ID can be made from the markings on the frame when the cylinder is swung out). If that's the case and there are no other issues with the gun the relatively low-powered target rounds you have will be fine.

 

[jbtrucker]

Bring to me if close to N.Alabama and I'll clean it up real nice free of charge

 

[JP@AK]

It is from 1976-77, so it is either a late run Model 10-5 or an early Model 10-7. It has the common 4" barrel and appears to be in decent shape.

The ammo will be fine. It basically mimics the horrid ammo they issued to us in 'Nam. But it will shoot okay in your gun. As mentioned, you may have to experiment with the point of aim.

And by the way, Gizmotech13, there are no stupid questions. We do, from time to time, see stupid answers however.

 

[OldChief]

That ammo shouldn't be a problem but from the picture, that cylinder looks a bit grimy, at a minimum, I'd give the revolver a good cleaning before shooting it. If you still have any doubts, have it checked by a gunsmith.

 

[ABPOS]

It is from 1976-77, so it is either a late run Model 10-5 or an early Model 10-7. It has the common 4" barrel and appears to be in decent shape.

The ammo will be fine. It basically mimics the horrid ammo they issued to us in 'Nam. But it will shoot okay in your gun. As mentioned, you may have to experiment with the point of aim.

And by the way, Gizmotech13, there are no stupid questions. We do, from time to time, see stupid answers however.

Why was it horrid? I'm just curious, not trying to argue. I have carried a few times with 130 grain fmj cuz I figured it will at least penetrate well. But I don't do it often.

Gizmotech13, that is a beautiful 10. Enjoy it!

 

[gwpercle]

The fixed sights were regulated to lead 158 grain 38 special loads.

The 130 grain loads are perfectly fine to shoot , but may impact below point of aim. If I remember correctly lighter faster bullets hit lower and heavier slower bullets hit higher.
But none the less take them to the range and don't be upset if the sights POA and the bullets POI are off a tad... That gun was made for 158 grain bulllets .

Nice revolver and welcome to the forum.
Gary

 

[JP@AK]

Why was it horrid?

1. Relatively weak powder charge;
2. Round nose jacketed bullet allowed for no expansion, which is where you get lethality from a .38 Special cartridge.

We did our best to obtain better ammunition when we could get away with it.

 

[dirty & hairy]

Nice gun but it needs a good cleaning. Next time buy the 158 grain box but those will do fine.

 

[Gizmotech13]

Thanks for all the great info. Yeah it has been in the top of a closet so I will definitely be cleaning it.

 

[Narragansett]

It is from 1976-77, so it is either a late run Model 10-5 or an early Model 10-7. It has the common 4" barrel and appears to be in decent shape.

The ammo will be fine. It basically mimics the horrid ammo they issued to us in 'Nam. But it will shoot okay in your gun. As mentioned, you may have to experiment with the point of aim.

And by the way, Gizmotech13, there are no stupid questions. We do, from time to time, see stupid answers however.

With even more questionable follow up answers

OP, No question is stupid, especially if you do not have the knowledge, of which there is a wealth on this forum. That is why you are here

Think SAFETY first.

That being said, i would be firing 158 grain hard cast lead standard pressure 38 special, and yes it will work for self defense

 

[H Richard]

Does the writing on the right side of the barrel say "38 S&W Special", if so, the ammo is correct, but subject to others observations. If it says "38 S&W" it is not correct. If it says "32 Winchester", it is not correct.

 

[JP@AK]

H Richard

A well-meaning comment, I'm sure.

However

The Model 11 (.38 S&W) went out of production in 1965, so those never had a D prefix serial number.

The .32-20 went out of production in 1929 (sold until 1940) and never had a letter prefix serial number. So it cannot be one of those. Besides, the lady said it was a ".38" in her initial post.

 

[stansdds]

Hello,

I'm sure this is going to sound stupid but I would rather ask a stupid sounding question then end up in the ER or worse. I have a 38 revolver that I got when my mother died years ago that I would like to take out and relearn to use, its been probably 15 years but I remember that 38's had something off about ammo. So I just want to make sure that the ammo in the picture can be shot out of the firearm in the pictures.

Thank you

Welcome to the S&W forums! What you have there appears to be a Model 10, chambered in 38 Special. Any standard pressure 38 Special ammo should be just fine. I will say that it is very likely that it will shoot point of aim with 158 grain semi-wadcutter ammo as that was the standard at the time and the gun sights were regulated for that ammo.

38 Special +P ammo would also be safe to use, but it will accelerate wear, so I would use +P ammo sparingly.

Before you go to the range, give that revolver a good cleaning and proper lubrication. You might even want to wax it for finish protection. Renaissance Wax is the best, but a pure carnuba wax with no abrasives will work in a pinch.

 

[stu1ritter]

Gizmotech13, I was always taught that a stupid question was the one you didn't ask!

Stu

 

[stansdds]

Hello,

I'm sure this is going to sound stupid but I would rather ask a stupid sounding question then end up in the ER or worse. I have a 38 revolver that I got when my mother died years ago that I would like to take out and relearn to use, its been probably 15 years but I remember that 38's had something off about ammo. So I just want to make sure that the ammo in the picture can be shot out of the firearm in the pictures.

Thank you

Check that ammo! There is a recall for certain lots of Winchester 38 Special 130 grain FMJ.

https://winchester.com/support/customers/USA38SPVP-Recall

 

[ABPOS]

I had to do a double take and look where you are from. I just fondled a gun identical to yours in a gun store yesterday. LOL. Has the same grips and looks like it was about in the same exact shape as yours.

Is yours a 10-5 Gizmotech13?

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I would start with 38 WCs, they make a nice clean hole in the target. IIRC those 38 FMJs were designed for military use-no lead or JHPs for them-but really not much good for anything but plinking. Fixed sight guns rarely shoot where you want them, learn to shoot and group, then worry about sight adjustment.

 

[oink]

A slightly unrelated comment here:

Being the OP is a new shooter I wouldn't encourage the OP to shoot plain cast lead bullets. A newer revolver shooter, especially one without a mentor, should stick to jacketed, semi-jacketed, plated, or at least polymer coated bullets. I see no advantage in introducing a new shooter to both shooting and the cleaning required after shooting lead. I was familiar with basic gun cleaning early in life but academy shooting sessions with the subsequent cleaning sessions, largely driven by academy firearms inspections, got me over the cleaning lead from revolvers hump. I don't see the point in that for a new casual shooter. I am a little POed new academy recruits get to skip the joy of revolver lead cleaning. Sorry buggers!