+P+ marked Centennials

[Josh M.]

All I can seem to find is conflicting information about these.

I know that the first run of Centennials had a CEN serial number prefix.
As far as I can tell, all of the +P+ marked guns were in the CEN prefix.
Not all of the CEN guns were +P+ marked.
None of the first few hundred CEN serial numbers were so marked.

So, what other facts do we know about them?
How many were so marked, and why / for whom?

Thanks.

 

[murphydog]

It is possible the factory has records of the number of +P+ marked 640s, but at least equally likely that they do not. There are potentially 10000 CEN prefix guns, and there are many possible reasons they were not all stamped as such, ranging from "agency X wanted it but doesn't anymore" to "the boss said stop marking them". One popular theory is there is no SAAMI +P+ standard, so certifying that the gun could handle literally any .38 Special load was thought to be unwise.

There was a once-popular .38 Special 110 gr JHP law enforcement load (Winchester and for the US Treasury Department, I think) that was labeled +P+ but I don't think the gun and load were made at the same time. Short of being able to research the factory records I suspect it will be an ongoing mystery.

 

[jeeps]

I think the 640-1 replaced it very fast with the Fed's.

 

[jughed440]

S&W introduced the "reborn Model 640 Centennial" in their 1990 catalog, and states that it is "rated for +P+ ammunition"....i bet their fidgety liability lawyers like seeing that.
Not sure when they began marking the 640s, but fellow forum member pmosley has stated before that his is one of the first 50 made, and it is marked..i have one in the 77xx serial range and have seen one online in the 78xx range.

 

[Josh M.]

Interesting, I seem to recollect a couple in the 2-300 range that weren't marked, and I just purchased one in the 3700 range that is marked.

 

[JohnSW]

In contrast, my old 640 isn't even stamped +P, and S&W's (current) official position is that you should never use +P ammo in it. Strange...

 

[murphydog]

In contrast, my old 640 isn't even stamped +P, and S&W's (current) official position is that you should never use +P ammo in it. Strange...

I think the "official" answer varies by day, person you contact and the phase of the moon . The ultimate safe answer is...don't shoot it at all!!!

 

[Buckoo]

I have two of them. One 17** and one 53**. Both are marked. I had another that was 22** that I sold. I regret selling it. Something unusual and kind of neat to have.

 

[Josh M.]

Am I just mis-remembering that some low serial Centennials weren't marked?

Are infact all CEN prefix centennials +P+ marked?

 

[riverrat38]

S&W introduced the "reborn Model 640 Centennial" in their 1990 catalog, and states that it is "rated for +P+ ammunition"....i bet their fidgety liability lawyers like seeing that."

Their fidgety engineers probably don't think too much of it either.
+P+ is not defined, and could be anywhere from + P to near MGN loads.
It is hard to use "not defined" in an equation involving strength of materials.

Best,
Rick

 

[BLUEDOT37]

S&W introduced the "reborn Model 640 Centennial" in their 1990 catalog, and states that it is "rated for +P+ ammunition"

Funny timing, I just picked up that 1990 catalog at the recent gun show (mainly for the 3rd Gen memorabilia in it) & that statement had me scratching my head too.

.

 

[edw794]

+P+ centennial

this is how the marking looks like:

 

[edw794]

and this is the gun with spegel boot grips:

 

[Pointblank2U]

I have one and it has a polished trigger.

 

[S&W Fan]

And the one I just sold was from Dec. 1991, not a CEN prefix and not marked "+P+". When I called S&W to get the date I asked about using such ammo, was assured it was safe.

Frankly with the improved ammo today, especially the Gold Dot 135gr +P which has a great record in the real world, I've never found a reason to use the hotter stuff in any of my short guns.