True or false

[Deceasedeye]

I read somewhere that +P ammo could be fired from any modern S&W model even if +P is not on the gun. Is +P ammo basically a gimmick to sell ammo and guns?

 

[ralph7]

Pretty much true.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Regarding shooting +P in modern S&W revolvers, as far as I know it's true regarding steel guns. Shooting +P in a non-+P-rated aluminum-frame revolver likely won't cause a catastrophic failure, but it has the potential to cause accelerated wear, including frame stretching that could lead to timing issues. Limited use is generally not considered a problem.

As far as +P being a marketing gimmick, not really. While I generally don't think +P is necessary for defensive ammo, .38 Special loads do seem to benefit from it. The two most proven self defense loads in .38 Special, the FBI load and the Speer Short-Barrel Gold Dot, are both +P. Of course, not everybody, nor every gun, can handle +P, so there are standard pressure alternatives. I keep the Speer load in my snubs, but I also have some target wadcutters and a couple boxes of Federal 125gr Nyclads on hand.

 

[stansdds]

With steel frames and cylinders, pretty much a "yes", although I would not make a habit of it with revolvers that pre-date S&W's model numbering system.

With aluminum frames, it will wear out the revolver a lot faster than standard pressure ammo.

38 Special +P is not just marketing, the extra velocity definitely helps with hollow point bullet expansion.

 

[Iggy]

S&W told me any revolver with a Model designation is safe.
They didn't have anything to say about increased wear.