Model 10 ammo question

[fbird]

Hi all, I recently picked up a Model 10 through J&G. This gun is to be a home defense gun for my Mom. I was wondering if it would ok to fire +p's in this revolver. I have done some reading on the forum and found some mixed responses.

I currently have a variety of +p's for my 642 but just don't know what would be appropriate for the model 10.

If they are not appropriate what would be a good self defense round in non +p? I was thinking the 158 buffalo bore would be great but would rather use their +p version if possible.

Thanks for the help.

 

[sheriffoconee]

Yes, +P is fine....

 

[palmetto99]

If it has a model no., it should be fine with +p rated ammo. Prior to be in called the model 10, the mid size .38 spl, was called the M&P (military & police). I would not use +P rated ammo in an original M&P .38 spl. Matter of fact, practice with standard pressure and save the +P.

 

[BUFF]

You should take Mom shooting with the gun before you buy much ammo. Make sure that the Plus-P is controllable for her. Depending on her age, strength and experience, Plus-P might be a bit much for her, especially at first.

I have found, when teaching non-shooters how to shoot a handgun, if they don't know it is supposed to kick hard, they do better than if they have been told, "Look out, boy howdy!"

 

[Art Doc]

Whenever someone uses the model number as the point at which +P is OK I have to ask. What was different about the last gun without the number and the first one with the number? That's right, nothing. Except the presence of the number, of course. I use 1930 as a more logical date because before that date metal tempering was an imprecise science. But this is still somewhat arbitrary and a 1920 M&P should be fine with any factory loaded ammo.

Factory +P is loaded well below maximum pressure. If the gun was made after 1930 (my rule) and has 38 Special on the barrel it is OK with +P.

 

[fbird]

Good advice. Luckily she has shot in the past but mostly with 9mm and 22 cal pistols. I actually have some different types of 38 special ammo currently so she can try a few to see what works best for her. I just wasn't 100% confident I could use +p's without damaging the firearm in the process.

Just to be sure I'm going to pick up some wadcutter rounds as they seem to have the least amount of recoil.

Thank you for the help everyone.

I hope this works out to be a nice firearm for her. After feeling how nice the trigger is on it I'm wishing I would of gotten one for myself as well.

You should take Mom shooting with the gun before you buy much ammo. Make sure that the Plus-P is controllable for her. Depending on her age, strength and experience, Plus-P might be a bit much for her, especially at first.

I have found, when teaching non-shooters how to shoot a handgun, if they don't know it is supposed to kick hard, they do better than if they have been told, "Look out, boy howdy!"

 

[redlevel]

I was thinking the 158 buffalo bore would be great but would rather use their +p version if possible.

The 158 grain BB +p load is a real, sho'nuff +p. For whatever reason, I find the BB +p 158 grain load actually more comfortable in all-steel j-frame S&Ws than in the K-frame. It is a stout load, unlike the +p stuff from the major manufacturers.

I handload, and I load my daughter's j-frame with a 146 grain full wadcutter reload. I load several K-frame Model 10s with the same load and keep them handy. The way I look at it is that .38 special is a viable defence load, even not loaded super hot. A .38 wadcutter at 850 fps is better than a .22 lr, better than a .25acp, better than a .380 fmj, and much better than a sharp stick.

Find a load your Mom can shoot comfortably.

 

[JP@AK]

If the gun was made after 1930 (my rule) and has 38 Special on the barrel it is OK with +P.

SaxonPig
I generally agree with what you wrote here, with one major qualifier. Any alloy frame gun (like an Airweight Model 37 and its predecessors) should NOT have +P ammo fired in it. Steel frame guns - okay.
JP

 

[Art Doc]

I still disagree. A member of this forum shot 1000 +Ps through his alloy gun as a test with zero effect (as I predicted). In 1955 Elmer Keith wrote of shooting factory 38/44s in an alloy J frame with no damage to the gun and the 38/44 load is much, much heavier than +P.

I will say this again, +P is loaded below allowable pressure for the caliber. It is NOT any sort of a hot load. A 125 at 925 FPS is a very mild load. It is an absolute FALLACY that +P is warm. All of the concern about +P ammo is based on the misconception that it is a high pressure load. it is not.