model 36 and +P

[Hunt200]

The current SAAMI mean maximum pressure limit for the standard .38 Spec. is 17,000 psi. The speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 125 g +P runs at 20,000 which is the top end of the SAAMI for +P and over the pressure recommended for .38 spec.

Will they hurt your gun? probably not. Will they cost you more? Yup.

Cost is the main reason I don't shoot +Ps often.

 

[Texas Star]

The current SAAMI mean maximum pressure limit for the standard .38 Spec. is 17,000 psi. The speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 125 g +P runs at 20,000 which is the top end of the SAAMI for +P and over the pressure recommended for .38 spec.

Will they hurt your gun? probably not. Will they cost you more? Yup.

Cost is the main reason I don't shoot +Ps often.

Dom-

How much is your life worth? Plus P was never intended to be used for routine practice ammo. You don't drive your car at 80-100 MPH all the time, do you? But when you need acceleration to get on the freeeway or to avoid an accident, it's nice to have added power.

T-Star

 

[bmcgilvray]

It really isn't very satisfactory practice ammunition. At least the lead stuff isn't. I never shoot jacketed +P. The 158 grain SWCs give adequate accuracy for reasonable self defense distances but don't really produce gratifyingly tight groups. Leading generally rears its ugly head after more than a few rounds. Plus P is noisy and recoils smartly in small handguns. It's costly and frequently more difficult to find. At least stocks of 158 grain +P are not often available.

On the plus side I've found that 158 grain +P prints very closely to the same spot on target as 158 grain standard velocity ammunition. It may be an inch or two lower at most. A .38 Special is at its best for serious self defense use when loaded with +P.

 

[Hunt200]

Dom-

How much is your life worth? Plus P was never intended to be used for routine practice ammo. You don't drive your car at 80-100 MPH all the time, do you? But when you need acceleration to get on the freeeway or to avoid an accident, it's nice to have added power.

T-Star

I never said I don't use them, I said I don't shoot them often. Just a few cylinders full to see where they print.

 

[Glock 'em down]

I never said I don't use them, I said I don't shoot them often. Just a few cylinders full to see where they print.

Yeah, that's me. I have my model 38 and my model 13-3 both loaded with them (Speer 135gr +P Gold Dots) as well as a Bianchi Speed Strip, a Tuff Products 8 round speed strip and a Safariland speedloader. I also have 4 boxes (80 rounds) in reserve.

I haven't fired any of these yet. I'm gonna try to do that tomorrow.

 

[WR Moore]

As some others have noted, it's the frame that's the limiting factor. The high stress areas are where the locking bolt passes through the frame, the ratchet, the yoke and the barrel thread area. The smaller cross section of the yoke/yoke lug accelerates development of end play/yoke play.

 

[rwsmith]

Yeah, didn't S&W say......

That's an ALL STEEL revolver. It should be fine.

I've heard stories of extended use of +P ammo in J frames, so I wouldn't feed it a steady diet of +P. But for carry stuff...yeah, it should be fine.

If not...I'll take some of them Gold Dots off your hands.

My K frame model 13 sure likes it!

Yeah, didn't S&W say themselves that any steel revolver with a model number was ok for +P? I remember looking at alloy guns back around 1980 and the LGS said NOT to put +Ps through them.

 

[Rpg]

+p ammo in your M36 will wear you out long before it has any adverse effect on your revolver.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The 158 +p was what the LE folks used...........
Today the 135 Jhp +p does as good or better of a job for SD.

A lighter bullet at the same speed of the 158 means LESS recoil.
I would save it for any snub nose 38's that you have......if they shoot close to where you are pointing......... but be a carry load only.

My M49 likes both the 158 and 135 +P but the 135 is 3" closer to my POA at 10 feet.

Good luck.