+P loads in a J frame?

[Tanus]

Hi. I have a S&W 49 model, steel frame, from 1973, not marked as +P. Also I have 50 Remington SWC +P bullets.

I let some pictures of the cartridge. My question is, can I shot this ammo in my revolver without any risk of damage?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards!



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[alwslate]

This is a very common question. The answer is that your gun is not
approved for +P ammo by S&W but shooting your 50 rds is not going
to damage your revolver. If you used a steady diet of +P ammo in
your gun it will definitely accelerate wear. It's best to do most of your
shooting with std pressure ammo and save the +Ps for serious use.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

There us no +P markings on j frames from the early 70s because there was no such thing as a .38 Special +P until then. You can't approve a revolver for something that doesn't exist. It's like trying to find a coin marked with a xxxx BC date, how would you know it was BC?

S&W has said any all steel revolver with a model number (1957 on) is safe to shoot with +P ammo.

 

[Old cop]

FWIW all of my alloy frame Js are older and not +P rated. I shoot a cylinder full of +P annually to ensure POI/POA and my familiarity with it. After many many years no damage to my Model 37, Model 38 or Colt Cobra.

 

[Tanus]

This is a very common question. The answer is that your gun is not
approved for +P ammo by S&W but shooting your 50 rds is not going
to damage your revolver. If you used a steady diet of +P ammo in
your gun it will definitely accelerate wear. It's best to do most of your
shooting with std pressure ammo and save the +Ps for serious use.

Thank you. I will do so.

 

[Tanus]

There us no +P markings on j frames from the early 70s because there was no such thing as a .38 Special +P until then. You can't approve a revolver for something that doesn't exist. It's like trying to find a coin marked with a xxxx BC date, how would you know it was BC?

S&W has said any all steel revolver with a model number (1957 on) is safe to shoot with +P ammo.

Thank you very much. Now I understand why is not marked +P. And I feel confident to try this ammunition. Regards.

 

[Tanus]

FWIW all of my alloy frame Js are older and not +P rated. I shoot a cylinder full of +P annually to ensure POI/POA and my familiarity with it. After many many years no damage to my Model 37, Model 38 or Colt Cobra.

Excellent. Thanks for the input.

 

[epj]

For what it's worth, today's +P ammo is probably not much stouter than the standard pressure rounds of yesteryear. It is far short of the 38/44 ammo, and I'm certain that quite a lot of it was fired through regular K and J frame revolvers over the years. I would think that wear and tear would be accelerated, but not going to blow anything up.

 

[photoman]

For the 20+ years I've been messing with Smith & Wesson revolvers, the factory policy has been all model marked guns can shoot factory "+P" ammo.

Edit to add: Steel frame guns, not Airweights.

 

[Tanus]

For what it's worth, today's +P ammo is probably not much stouter than the standard pressure rounds of yesteryear. It is far short of the 38/44 ammo, and I'm certain that quite a lot of it was fired through regular K and J frame revolvers over the years. I would think that wear and tear would be accelerated, but not going to blow anything up.

Perfect. Also considering that my gun is made of steel there should be no major problem. I think I'd worry more if the frame was made of aluminum.

 

[Tanus]

For the 20+ years I've been messing with Smith & Wesson revolvers, the factory policy has been all model marked guns can shoot factory "+P" ammo.

Thanks for the info. Regards.

 

[Cal44]

For the 20+ years I've been messing with Smith & Wesson revolvers, the factory policy has been all model marked guns can shoot factory "+P" ammo.

Has this also been the factory policy for the Aluminum frame j's like the 37's?

 

[Pigirondan]

Buffalo Bore 150 grain hardcast wadcutter FTW.

 

[alwslate]

For the 20+ years I've been messing with Smith & Wesson revolvers, the factory policy has been all model marked guns can shoot factory "+P" ammo.

Sorry but this just isn't true. This is an often repeated post,
and maybe proves the old statement that something
repeated often enough becomes accepted as factual. If you
look at the approved ammo-model table published by S&W
you will see that this applies to K and larger steel frame guns
that were model marked and made after 1957 ONLY. Some
smaller frame guns since then are approved for +P by S&W
and are so noted in the table.

 

[photoman]

Has this also been the factory policy for the Aluminum frame j's like the 37's?

No........

 

[MetalMan]

Sorry but this just isn't true. This is an often repeated post,
and maybe proves the old statement that something
repeated often enough becomes accepted as factual. If you
look at the approved ammo-model table published by S&W
you will see that this applies to K and larger steel frame guns
that were model marked and made after 1957 ONLY. Some
smaller frame guns since then are approved for +P by S&W
and are so noted in the table.

Sir, can your provide some direction as to where this table can be found?

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Sir, can your provide some direction as to where this table can be found?

I've seen it in fairly recent years in the instructions which came with the gun.

 

[texassnubbiefan]

I have a J-Frame I carry regularly, but it is an 640 and rated for .357 Magnum. I shoot Doubletap and Underwood through it. Here is a vid I just did demonstrating this. As you'll see I had some problems with the chrono and at the end made a boo boo and blew out my guide wire, but still entertaining.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fa8SGsdLRJc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have two S&W M49 stainless that I reload for with the ser # ACMxxxx and ADWxxxx and have pushed a 158gr Lswc and LRN from 494fps all the way to 948fps.
The standard Remington at one time did 850fps in a snub nose but today the average has gone down to 800fps or so, with most of todays factory ammo.
All is safe in the all steel M49 revolver but due to the heavy recoil it is not usually used a lot for general shooting. However learning where it shoots and practice sessions now and then is a very good thing. So don't be afraid to shoot it now and then to stay in good form if you have enough ammo.
Otherwise the 158gr LRN is another great way to get to know and understand what you can do with this short barreled revolver.

My main weapon shoots just a little high and to the right with factory ammo but nothing that will not work if needed.
I also tested out some +P 125 and the SB 135gr Gold Dot to see how they did in my M49's.
Always nice to know how different ammo works, just in case you run out of one type of ammo and have to go to other options.

Good shooting.

 

[Old Corp]

Wish the ammo manufacturers would bring out a '+-something else', so we could have another 'can I shoot this?' topic.

J/K, unwad thy panties.