+P in a 642-1

[153]

I have a friend who is concerned that a diet of +P ammunition will harm his 642-1. What has been the expierence of Forum members?

 

[jimmyj]

Stay with standard velocity .38 special ammo

 

[Loyaljeeper]

The 642-1 was lengthened to accept the magnum length cylinder. It will not chamber magnums though. This was done to help relieve frame cracking under the forcing cone. It can take a substantial amount of plus p. Cracked frames often come from over-torqued barrels more so than hot rounds.

 

[kaaskop49]

Just checked my 642-1. The barrel is marked .38S&W Special +P. The gun is designed to handle this ammunition. It would require firing many 100s, if not 1000s, of +P rounds to cause damage or wear. With the cost of ammo, few of us will reach the point of damage or wear.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[crazyphil]

Here, on the left, is my 642-1.
2nd from left what is stamped on the barrel.
3rd from left the ammo I carry in it, and I have
shot quite a few rounds through it for practice.
No problems yet. I like what kasskop49 said.

 

[vipermd]

Just checked my 642-1. The barrel is marked .38S&W Special +P. The gun is designed to handle this ammunition. It would require firing many 100s, if not 1000s, of +P rounds to cause damage or wear. With the cost of ammo, few of us will reach the point of damage or wear.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I just checked my wife's 642, it is also marked +P. Carry load is Speer GDSB135 gr+P. I am not worried that she would shoot too much , only too little. Be Safe,

 

[diyj98]

The more you shoot it, the faster it will wear out. The hotter the loads, the faster it will wear out. However, I’ve never shot a j frame enough to wear it out, even with limited use of +P ammo. I’d say his hand will wear out before the 642.

 

[jimmyj]

Velocity wise what is gained using Plus P ammo in a two inch barrel ?

 

[stansdds]

Velocity wise what is gained using Plus P ammo in a two inch barrel ?

Good question, I've not chronographed standard vs +P loads out of my 640-1, but I'd guess that with the "short barrel +P" ammo, no more than 100 fps and likely less than that.

 

[hyena]

I carried the Buffalo Bore #20A for a while. (And shot some through my 642-1 to make sure I could handle the recoil.) The only reason I switched to Speer Gold Dot +P was the BB shot high, and the Gold Dots shoot to point of aim. For me.

My gut tells me the gun would wear faster with a steady diet of +P, but agree with a previous comment your hand would fail before the gun. I've got Uncle Mike's boot grips and a Hogue tamer grip for mine, but prefer to carry it with Altamont wood boot grips, so recoil is pretty brisk.

 

[eb07]

Velocity wise what is gained using Plus P ammo in a two inch barrel ?

All I know is the Speer gold dot 135gr,+p is designed to reliably expand out of a snub. Ed lovette also recommends that and the 158gr+p fbi load. He says they both have favorable street performance. That's enough for me.





I'll stick with it.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

If you stick with major brand manufacturers you will be fine with a steady diet of the +p. In my 442 and 638 there have been zero issues for me. I reload to +P velocities to match or exceed the factory loads. These are not safe queens, if the tools fail, time to get another.
Just dont fire too many Rounds that have caution labels on the box. I.e. Buffalo B* and Underw*.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Both of the Buffalo Bore 158 lead HP bullets are gas checked.

The "Standard load" in a M60 states 854fps, and is safe in all good condition revolvers.

The 20A +P load will do 1040fps, if you think you need more recoil and ME.

All revolvers with a +P on it can use this last load but you need to test it and see if it is what you need.

My little J frame M49 told me that 850fps was enough.

 

[eb07]

I avoid buffalo bore for two reasons..... pushing pressure limits, and the replacement and substitution of bullets from what is in the description whenever they want and when asked about it ( such as replacing bonded speer gold dots with unbonded montana gold bullets that separate), an attitude from the owner. If I am paying that much, I want what I paid for so I will pass on that.

 

[L-2]

My 642-1 is now ~21 years old with, from my log, 4200 rounds through it. I was issued, carried, and qualified with .38 Special +P ammo. Realistically, I probably only have ~300 rounds of +P ammo through this gun with the rest, ~3900 rounds, being regular pressure .38 Special ammo used for practice.

I wasn't issued practice ammo and all practice ammo was bought by me (tight ammo budget where I worked).

I don't know what quantities of ammo the OP is considering. If the gun breaks from normal use, S&W is likely to replace the 642-1 under warranty.

Off-topic, I did have a 442-1 replaced under warranty, but this was due to an internal pin breaking off.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

... shoot to point of aim. For me.

No matter which ammo anyone picks, this forum member has scored a perfect round with this comment. Words to live by.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Have shot a few +P in mine.
Wouldn’t say a lot, actually haven’t shot that many regular 38 through it.

 

[crazyphil]

I read, a long time ago, that fixed sights such as the 642, are based on
158-gr. bullet.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Generic answer #1 - Everything else being equal , +P will accelerate wear & tear * to some degree * . But usually such that starting with a new- ish revolver that a private individual who buys their own ammunition will never fire enough rounds to be an issue .


Generic answer #2 - Measured velocity differences between Std & +P varies with specific loads compared , and even lot numbers . If you said 75- 100 fps , that would be a rough rule of thumb . But certain standard loads that " run fast " can overlap with certain +P that " runs slow " . Or if you compare a generic std P vs a boutique +P it can be 200 plus .

Is an extra 75- 100 fps meaningful. At these levels ? It is endlessly debated b but my vote is for " often it is " .

The other important factor for your friend is which load he can best control , to include one handed , and weak hand only .

Specific Observations - I Have seen Airweight S&W have noticeable wear .

M37 no dash , used when I got it
I shot it a Lot , with std and +P . The ( stud on the frame on which the hammer pivots ) wore undersized enough for excess play there .

My 'smith knurled it . He said that brought it back to acceptable fit , but reserve it henceforth for actual carry , and minimal practice , don't go shooting thousands of rounds .

( I would have then gladly bought a brand new M37 Square Butt , but alas they were then discontinued in that format , and used ones at acceptable condition/ price ratio were rare .)

 

[haywood]

I sighted in my 442’s and 37 with +P. I then practice with a close weight standard pressure 38. I shoot old carry +P rounds once in a while. So far, so good.