Model 36 Ammo?

[Bird76]

Is it safe to fire Hornady +P 38 special through my gun?

 

[Zjnovak]

The new models are +P rated, the old ones are not.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I have a 36 that dates back over 40 years. When I use it for cc I carry +P. For practice I reload 158 gr LRN in the mid to lower ranges. Gun is tight and shoots great. I see no reason to shoot +P (for practice) but have no problem with a few rounds for self defense, if needed.

 

[What the]

Does it say Plus P on the side? If not, most of the reading I've seen says it will accelerate wear if not so marked...pretty sure you won't blow it up though.

 

[Old cop]

Load your M36 w/+P for self defense, it will not blow up the gun. If you need to use it in self defense the police will take it and like a good tool, it will have done its job.

 

[CoMF]

Short answer: Is it safe? Yes. Will it accelerate wear? Yes, but it will take thousands of rounds to notice.

FWIW, I occasionally practice with and carry Remington LHP +P in my ca. 1971 Chief's Special. To date, it has suffered no ill effects.

 

[Bird76]

So you think taking it the range and shooting a box through it to see how it performs and hits would be ok? I'll save the rest for personal defense loads and maybe trade some for target loads.

 

[CoMF]

So you think taking it the range and shooting a box through it to see how it performs and hits would be ok?

Absolutely. That's the best and only way to find out what works "best" in your particular revolver.

There's also nothing wrong with shooting an occasional cylinder full of +P from time to time for practice to maintain familiarity with your chosen load.

 

[Bird76]

Thanks for all the info guys!!!....now if it just warm up enough to hit the range!!!

 

[Pisgah]

Yours has the newer, magnum-style frame. +P won't hurt it. +P is "safe" in any S&W .38 Special in that none of them are going to blow up if you shoot a few rounds in it, but higher-pressure loads always accelerate normal wear, and many of the old guns can shoot loose pretty quick under the added beating. Newer guns wear faster with it than with standard loads, too, but it still takes many 1000s of rounds to do anything that could be called harm.

 

[CoMF]

Thanks for all the info guys!!!....now if it just warm up enough to hit the range!!!

I hear ya there. When I left work today, it was zero degrees outside.

I took a four day stay-cation last week and had to put off going to the range for the same exact reason.