Model 36 and Plus P Ammo

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I was just advised that my excellent condition 1968 era S&W Model 36 is unsafe to fire Plus P ammo in?
This "Expert" also said this era S&W quality manufacture was below normal plus the barrel cylinder gap was unsafe?
He offered to trade a Russian 9mm for my "Unsafe" revolver.
Should I???

 

[KJM]

Hi:
I was just advised that my excellent condition 1968 era S&W Model 36 is unsafe to fire Plus P ammo in?
This "Expert" also said this era S&W quality manufacture was below normal plus the barrel cylinder gap was unsafe?
He offered to trade a Russian 9mm for my "Unsafe" revolver.
Should I???

What is his area of expertise?
Swindling nice guns out of nice guys for Russian Junk?

 

[jimmyj]

Former NYPD and DEA and present Gunsmith/Gun Shop Owner.

 

[Firehouse]

Sounds like he is trying to swindle you. That year model 36 should be plenty safe to fire +P ammo in if its in decent shape.

 

[Texas Star]

Jimmy-

First, how's your eye surgery doing?

Next, the concensus seems to be that the Model 36 that recent is safe with Plus P, but will loosen up sooner if you shoot it a lot. Only quite recent J-frame guns are really warranted to shoot Plus P ammo. In the Model 60, about which I asked the company, suffixes from -4 onward are especially heat treated and have internal modificarions to the yoke screw, etc. to make them last longer if fired a lot with higher pressure loads.

But for occasional use and for defensive carry, I'd say you're good to go. THIS APPLIES ONLY TO STEEL FRAME GUNS.

It is true that S&W quality control has vacillated and the Vietnam years produced a lot of guns out-of-time, etc. Bangor-Punta owned S&W then, and their QC was perhaps the worst until maybe now. But many of the guns were just fine, although re-timing was often needed.

Unless the bbl.-cylinder gap really does look too wide, the gun is probably fine. The Russian gun is certainly worth far less.

Tnis man is trying to cheat you, and he's probably lying.

 

[Rule3]

Wait, I am still trying to figure out "vacilated"?

A past participle

Vacillated

 

[rimfired]

Jimmy, Obviously you are unaware on the dangerous position you've put yourself in. (dangling participle).

Just send the 36 to me and I swear I'll never let it see a box of bologna. Balony!

 

[mkk41]

I recently read on another forum that .38+Ps will cause stretching of K-frames.

 

[fyimo]

I have a Pre Model 36 and my gunsmith told me to fire all the 158 grain ammo I wanted in it but to stay away from the 125 grain +P's as they could damage the revolver. He said I could shoot just enough +p's in it to determine the POA and then carry them but he also said not to shoot a lot of them.

 

[Cooter Brown]

I think Jimmy might just be funnin' us a bit..

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
The eye surgery went ok, but still have a lot of "Floaters" in my vision.
The "Gentleman" telephoned me in reguard to my classified ad.
1. My revolver only cost $68.00 new
2. How much did I have into my revolver?
3. Then the sales pitch----------
4. After all the negatives about my revolver, he stated that he wanted it for his wife??
5. Also stated that he builts custom M1911s using the chinese Norico frames. charges $2000.00 up for his "Customs".

 

[C Islander]

Why dosen't he build a "custom" 1911 for his wife? I'm not buying the info he's trying to sell!

 

[jimmyj]

I bet if I listened a little longer I could have traded my Model 36 for in a bridge in Brooklyn.

 

[sigp220.45]

Looks like you have this guy's number, Jimmy.

As far as the +P issue goes, the Model 36 is tougher than it gets credit for. The bolt locking notches on that little five shot cylinder are between the chambers, not directly over them as on the larger frame gun. There is also very little of the forcing cone end of the barrel extending into the frame opening.

I used to qualify quarterly with my Model 36 dash nothing with the dreaded +P+ Hydra-Shoks, and it is as tight as ever.

 

[A10]

I recently read on another forum that .38+Ps will cause stretching of K-frames.

Please post my contact information on the other forum, and let the readers know they can send ALL their stretched 19's to me....

 

[35Rem]

I bet if I listened a little longer I could have traded my Model 36 for in a bridge in Brooklyn.

You DEFINATELY can't shoot Plus P's in THAT!

 

[oldafsp]

Jimmy, this guy knows what that 36 is worth in TN.

I see them with the worst wear you could imagine selling at shows for 350 and nice examples for 425 and up.

He just wants to steal that gun is all...

 

[jimmyj]

Good Morning:
I never have and never will use Plus-P ammo in my weapons.
I from the "Old School" that if you want/need more power-go to a larger caliber.

 

[SC_Slowhand]

I have a pair of old Model 36's that I bought back in 1983. One was NIB and the other a Police Trade in made in 1960. Both are still functional and reliable. No way am I going to put +P ammunition through them.

 

[redlevel]

I have a pair of old Model 36's that I bought back in 1983. One was NIB and the other a Police Trade in made in 1960. Both are still functional and reliable. No way am I going to put +P ammunition through them.

I have one (Model 36) from the early 60s and another from the early 70s. I imagine I have shot 500-600 rounds of +p through each of them over the years, including some of the early Super Vel stuff.

I bet mine are still as reliable and functional as yours are.

They are both loaded with Buffalo Bore's Heavy .38 special +p 158 grain gas checked hollow points, as is the early 70s Model 60 that's in my pocket right now.