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I recently inherited my father's Model 38. I was wondering in what year a 250,000-series serial number would place it. Also, should I stick with factory loads or can I use +P ammo?
Model 38 - SN 255xxx
- Thread starter tommy_gunn
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That is another gun I owned in the mid 70's and wish I still had it. I would stick with standard .38 special loads (no +P). Hornady XTP would be my choice. Just my personal opinion.
Early 60's would be my guess. Some one here might be able to pin it down a little better.
Oh, and welcome to the forum.
Early 60's would be my guess. Some one here might be able to pin it down a little better.
Oh, and welcome to the forum.
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Yes. 350,000 numbers were shipping in the second half of 1964, so this would be a bit earlier than that. Very early 1960s would be my guess.
And welcome to the most enjoyable site on the Internet! Thanks for joining us.
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I would guess a 1962 ship date. Factory +P will accelerate wear on it (and be unpleasant to shoot), so personally I would limit its use. Enjoy!
bananaman
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WELCOME to the FORUM! I am surprised that nobody mentioned this yet, but we like pics! I was looking at a few M 38's a few months ago. Ended up with a 36 instead. Shot it again Thursday. I've got to keep practicing with it to be good! My dad gave me his old M&P while he was still alive about 6 years ago. (1919 gun) I shot it a few years and gave it to my oldest son. It still always goes bang when you pull the trigger! Enjoy your snubbie! Bob
I have a M38 that dates to the early '60s that is carried & shot often. It can handle +P (FBI +P) sparingly, I shoot a cylinder full about once a year since the early '70s when I purchased it second hand as a BUG for my duty weapon.
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I figured it was probably the first half of the 60's. My father was LEO and this snubbie was his off-duty weapon (and probably his backup gun). My brother has his K-frame service revolver. From what I can tell, it is also from the 60's. Thanks for all of the information. I may still fork over the $50 for a factory letter.
