M&P Heat treated cylinders ??

[Pastprime]

After reading in SCSW that about serial number 316648 the cylinders started being heat treated, I wonder whether it is OK to shoot standard .38 Special loads in a revolver that does not have heat treated cylinders. I don't shoot +P ammunition in older revolvers but I do like to shoot 75 - 150 rounds at a range session.

I am also curious about the method of hardening the cylinders prior to heat treating. I haven't read the entire book so if there is a section on manufacturing technique history, please let me know and I'll do more reading. Don't want to bother folks if I don't need to.

 

[DWFAN]

I shoot this one all the time with either 148gn wadcutters or 158gn RN lead. Don't know as I would send jacketed bullets down the tube though. SN 291666

 

[Pastprime]

Thank you for that information. Very nice looking revolver you have there.

 

[DWalt]

Standard velocity ammunition with lead bullets is OK, and wadcutters would be preferred. I wouldn't use +P, but even then it would probably be OK for a few shots.

 

[Hondo44]

You have nothing to worry about w/standard 38 Spl ammo with lead bullets. The steel used is not found anywhere that I looked but prior to heat treating was sufficiently strong for standard loads. In 1945 heat treating was no longer done on non-magnum guns due to improved steel.