Shooting & carrying Victory Model

[gerhard]

A couple months ago....I found and purchased a Smith & Wesson Victory Model .38 Special....4"barrel....I would like to carry it hiking...but have heard all sorts of warnings about shooting "modern ammunition"..in "older pistols".....would you anticipate any problems in shooting and carrying the .38 Special JHP in 125 grain.?....I appreciate anyone taking the time to answer......By the way...I wrote to Smith & Wesson and got the Official Letter back stating the Pistol was shipped to a War Plant in Texas in 1944....Its a Gorgeous pistol with Lanyard Ring.......brings back memories of when I was a kid and Sergeant Preston of the Yukon carried a similar pistol...........Regards......Hans Fischer

 

[H Richard]

I see no reason you couldn't carry and shoot your Victory model. I would however not shoot a 125 gr JHP. I would use the kind of ammo it was designed to shoot, 158 gr lead bullets, either RN or SWC. While the 125's wouldn't destroy your gun, it will put undue stress and wear on the gun, and will not shoot to the point of aim.

 

[gerhard]

Victory Model Ammunition.?

Hi Richard...Thanks for your note.....Im absolutely not familiar with different types of pistol ammunition......Im just looking for some hollow point and seriously cautious about anything above 125 grain....maybe thats silly...heres one ad that I saw...what do you think.?..

.Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special +P 110 Grain FTX Ammo - http://www.sportsmansguide.com/prod...nse-38-special-p-110-grain-ftx-ammo-25-rounds

your input is Greatly Appreciated...

 

[Arik]

Actually 158 would be better. It's heavier and slower. The 125 is a faster bullet and wears the cone. On old guns that have been used and don't have the same metal treatment as modern guns this could be a problem. Stick with 158

 

[reddog81]

Any regular 38 special ammo will be fine. 125 and 158 are the weights of the bullets and does not correlate to the pressure of the round. Smith and Wesson revolvers from the WW2 era would have heated treated cylinders. As H Richard mentioned the 158 grain lead bullets are what the gun was designed for.
I would avoid 38 special +P ammo because this has slightly higher pressure than regular 38 special ammo.
In revolvers from the early 1900's you might need to be more cautious.

 

[DWalt]

The military cartridge used in these revolvers from WWII onward had a 158 grain bullet with a copper-plated steel jacket. The Victory will be safe to use with any .38 Special ammunition sold today. However, there is not much point in using +P ammunition. For 99+% of your applications, lead bullets will be fully satisfactory, and much less expensive than ammunition with jacketed bullets.

 

[gerhard]

Victory Ammo Carry.?

Thanks to everyone for your replies.....its Very Much Appreciated...and this weekend will be looking for some 158 Grain........Im hoping to do some Hiking this Spring.........Thanks again...Hans Fischer