Mod 36 question

[nonferrous]

I have a very tight Mod 36 no dash that is with me a lot, I use it with target loads and standard loads. It would seem to me that it would not hurt this gun to fire 2 or 3 +P's through it in an emergency.
Has anyone had any experience with that?
Thanks

 

[opoefc]

Depends on what you consider an "Emergency" The gun was not designed for plus P , however it might not come unglued for just a couple of rounds, but why bother? Standard loads will solve any emergency that is generated by a bad guy after your wallet, etc. If the emergency is that you ran out of standard loads at the range and can borrow a couple rounds of +P from a buddy, don't. Ed.

 

[tom turner]

Hi,

If the revolver is in great shape it shouldn't hurt it at all. I'd save the hot stuff though for a bigger gun.

As already mentioned, standard velocity ammo has gotten the job done in the M36 for years!

If you sleep better at night though wanting +P stuff in the cylinders for self defense, go right ahead.

I've got 158 grain LSWC-HP +P loaded in my '64 M36 (for self defense) . . . but my carry gun, a '71 Model 37 is stoked with 140 grain wadcutters! Talking about going from the sublime to the ridiculous!

Frankly, I've got the +P in the M36 simply because that's what I had handy at the time. I'd be just as happy with any decent ammo that shoots at POA, and will eventually swap out what's in the cylinder . . . I've just got a lot of +P right now.

T.

 

[pawncop]

Agree with Tom Turner, do not practice with the +P but it not blow up in your hand (more than likely) if the only time you shoot +P's is in a real situation.

And has been pointed out the standard loads for 38 Spl. are nothing to sneeze at.

 

[Sebring Pop]

I also agree with Tom. I did call Smith a while back with the same question and they said as long as you don't use a steady diet of +P you could shoot them as SD. I have found the recoil to be a bit much with +P and have much better control with wadcutters. I would rather go with control over horsepower. I don't think a couple hundred FPS less will put you at any disadvantage.

Just my $0.02

Thanks Pop

 

[fyimo]

When I bought my pre 36 my gunsmith said they were designed for 158 grain bullets and that's what I should shoot in it. He also said I could carry +p 124 grain rounds in it for SD but that I shouldn't shoot a lot of them in it for practice.

So I just carry 158 grain JHP in it.

 

[nonferrous]

Thanks for the help. I should have said "situation" instead of emergency I guess, that was misleading. This gun dosen't get much range time and thats always with 158 gr LSWC's at about 900 fps. I just meant to carry the 36 with the defense loads and it looks like that would work.

As far as night time, thats a Browning Hi-Power but I dont feel like carrying that chunk around with me. I have a Mod 66, 2 1/2 inch and thats even a bit too much.
I think that I am going to start looking for a 646 now that S&W has put out a bunch of no lock guns, (whats up with that?).
I have friends with 646's and every time I shoot them I am amazed at the strides in metallurgy that have been achieved.

Thanks again