Despite having been in law enforcement since 1975, I have little knowledge of firearms' designs and limitations. I wonder whether either of these two firearms are appropriate for a use of .38 caliber + P ammunition and would appreciate readers' opinions concerning usage like this. I have not used these pistols in a number of years and intend for my wive and myself to do so when I retire by the end of the year. I had heard that these revolvers were capable of firing this type ammunition as long as it was not done consistently. Both of these firearms were purchased some time between 1978 & 1982. My Dept's firearms' officers have mixed opinions concerning the use of this ammunition because of the age of the revolvers. Both firearms have less than 1000 rounds of fire.
Models 60 & 64 SS .38 revolver
- Thread starter gsddad
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Flint Ridge
Member
Welcome aboard, others smarter than I will be along shortly.
Those are nice Smith's for sure.
Those are nice Smith's for sure.
Nframe_is_no1
Member
Welcome to the forum! The model 64, as are all model marked K-frames, (6 shot .38s) are factory rated to fire +P ammunition. You can shoot all you want. The model 60, on the other hand, I would not subject to a steady diet of +Ps. I would practice with standard pressure, and maybe shoot a few rounds of +P a year to shoot up what you carried.
I have 20-30 rds of Winchester +p+ .38,not sure of gr., but stamped 1988.
Any concerns if used in a 64 or 67 that's fine mechanically ?
Re: Model 60 & 64 With +P Ammunition
Thanks for the welcomes and good information. I have owned a number of S & W revolvers and semi-automatic pistols during my career and have found them to be good & reliable. I am interested in revolvers and hope to learn more about them from the forums here.
Thanks for the welcomes and good information. I have owned a number of S & W revolvers and semi-automatic pistols during my career and have found them to be good & reliable. I am interested in revolvers and hope to learn more about them from the forums here.
Nframe_is_no1
Member
zellerSC,
I also have some .38 special +P+ in my ammo stocks. Since you say yours is Winchester, the bullet is probably 110 gr. I know of no other weight loaded by them in +P+. This is the old U.S. Treasury load and does around 1150 fps or so in a 4" tube, just short of .357 performance. I would NOT fire that ammo or anything marked +P+ in any K-frame S&W! +P+ is best reserved for heavy frame guns like N-frame S&Ws or the Colt Official Police or New Service, or any .357 chambered revolver. Unlike +P, there is NO industry pressure standard for +P+ ammunition.
I also have some .38 special +P+ in my ammo stocks. Since you say yours is Winchester, the bullet is probably 110 gr. I know of no other weight loaded by them in +P+. This is the old U.S. Treasury load and does around 1150 fps or so in a 4" tube, just short of .357 performance. I would NOT fire that ammo or anything marked +P+ in any K-frame S&W! +P+ is best reserved for heavy frame guns like N-frame S&Ws or the Colt Official Police or New Service, or any .357 chambered revolver. Unlike +P, there is NO industry pressure standard for +P+ ammunition.
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Thanks Nframe.
M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
You may wish to tell us which models you have and perhaps serial numbers as that can also tell when your S&Ws were made.
I guess you could say there are two camps in regards to your question, for various reasons, and there are several threads about it, here's a recent one: . http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/237667-p-38-special-nonsense-regarding-model-10-a.html
I'm in the "+P is okay" camp. I think as long as your revolvers are in good working condition and have lead-free forcing cones, they should be fine with +P. You'll have to read some of the pro's and con's to make your choice, though. If you are talking about M10/M64's, were it me, I wouldn't even hesitate, it would be nothing but +Ps!
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+P is fine in both those revolvers. I shoot 38+P in all my stainless 38's.
NYPD uses the Speer 135 grain 38+P Gold dot short barrel load, in all revolvers still carried by officers. That includes DAO S&W model 64's.
Hope this helps! Regards 18DAI
NYPD uses the Speer 135 grain 38+P Gold dot short barrel load, in all revolvers still carried by officers. That includes DAO S&W model 64's.
Hope this helps! Regards 18DAI
riverrat38
US Veteran
Texas Star
US Veteran
M-60-4 and higher suffixes are Rated for Plus P. Use more sparingly in older guns. Model 64 is on the medium K-frame and is okay for Plus P, although it will naturally wear the gun sooner than if usually shot with standard or target ammo.
NO Plus P Plus should be fired in .38's. Those loads are high pressure and intended for use in .357's, when a dept. wanted .38-marked ammo for PC reasons.
A S&W rep told me that Plus P Plus ammo wore out K-frame .357's as bad or worse than hot .357 ammo. Something to do with pressure peaks and barrel throat erosion.
For your intended needs, those two will serve you very well and are excellent choices. If I could have only two handguns and felt no need for occasional .357 power, those are precisely what I'd choose.
NO Plus P Plus should be fired in .38's. Those loads are high pressure and intended for use in .357's, when a dept. wanted .38-marked ammo for PC reasons.
A S&W rep told me that Plus P Plus ammo wore out K-frame .357's as bad or worse than hot .357 ammo. Something to do with pressure peaks and barrel throat erosion.
For your intended needs, those two will serve you very well and are excellent choices. If I could have only two handguns and felt no need for occasional .357 power, those are precisely what I'd choose.
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