Newbie question...

[ZiklagPhilistine]

Just joined the forum 3 minutes ago - Hello to all.

My Dad died on Christmas Day 2 years ago, and left me his gun. I know a little about them, but I'm trying to identify the manufacture date. Could someone tell me where to go on the forum to find out or help me personally? I saw the "Identify your gun" sticky but didn't quite know what to do there.

It is a S&W .38. Barrel says ".38 S&W Special CTG" (I do know the CTG stands for "cartridge"). The S/N is on the bottom of the butt, J121927. The gun is nickle coated with wood grips. Can you tell me its age from this?

And I may be breaking a rule, but I do have a second question... I've been shooting 38 Special 125 grain +P ammo in it, but was told at a gun store I should not shoot +P - is that correct? How dangerous is it, really?

Thanks very much in advance for any help you can give a newbie.

ZP

 

[gboling]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

You will need the model number in addition to the serial number. To find it, open the cylinder, looking from the left side of the gun you will see a number just in front of the cylinder opening. There may be a - and another single digit number following the model number, such as 60-2.

 

[bamabiker]

Welcome to the forum.
Your gun should come from 1973 to 74. These are estimated ship dates that can be found in the Standard Catalog of Smith $ Wesson, 3rd edition.
It's probably a model 36 and you can check this by opening the cylinder and looking on the frame. It should be stamped Mod36.
You can shoot plus P ammo in it but if I was you I'd stick to plain 38 special for practice and carry the +P stuff, if you carry it.
We like to hear about people that keep family guns in the family and I hope you keep and enjoy your father's S&W.

 

[ZiklagPhilistine]

Cool! It says "MOD. 36"

Do I have all the info I need to find out when it was manufactured?

Do you know if I can shoot +P ammo in this revolver?

Thank you, very much.

ZP

 

[ZiklagPhilistine]

Sorry, didn't see BamaBiker's reply first.

Thanks, BB, I really appreciate it. I haven't updated my profile yet, but I live "near Bham" as well, on the Mulberry River in Blount County.

"Sweet Home Alabama...."

Best,

ZK

 

[Art Doc]

+P is loaded well below maximum pressure. It poses no risk to the gun if in good condition. It is a common misconception that +P is some sort of high performance load.

 

[fyimo]

You are in the right place to learn about S&W revolvers and any other numbers or letters stamped into the frame as inspection stamps and manufacturing process numbers to control the assembly of the pistol.
There should be an N on the frame under the grips and that signifies the nickel finish. There may also be a small N on the cylinder near the extractor star on the end of the cylinder that you load the shells into.