Author Topic: +P loads (Read 673 times)

tommy killtrigger · « **on:** November 18, 2005, 03:11:20 PM »

Will a S&W mod. 36 and 60 chief's special handle a 38 spl. +P load safely? Also, an American Derringer mod. M-1 in stainless 38 spl.? Thanks for the help! Tony!

Savage · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2005, 01:39:58 AM »

Tommy,
Welcome! I am certain the mdl 36 is not +P rated, nor is the derringer. I'm a little rusty on my S&W model designations, but I think the mdl 60 is just the stainless version of the 36. I have had good performance in snubbies using the heavier bullets and Red Dot powder. Mikey, on this forum has had good success using WW231 (?) with the real heavyweight bullets. One of the major manufactures now has a 135gr loading out especially for the 2". I would stay away from the +P loadings for your guns. I doubt there is a proportonate velocity gain for the increased pressures in the shorter barrels.
Savage

Siskiyou · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2005, 07:50:12 AM »

This was a hot subject years ago because LE was carrying revolvers at the time and some departments issued 38 Special +P and 38 Special +P+ ammunition. S&W's answer was that the M36 & M60 where designed for standard loads, not +P loads. That the firing of such loads could damage the firearm. There were reports of loose frames.

I am not aware of problems with M36/M60 S&W in my circle.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2005, 08:21:18 AM »

The issue isn't really about whether the gun will blow up or anything, but heavy loads will definately accelerate the wear on a gun that wasn't designed to handle them. My thought would be to find a good 158-grain non Plus-P load like the old lead hollow point, and practice with it, it's not prohibitively expensive. Some folks will carry +P's in the gun, but only practice with standard loads. The theory there is that if you need to use the gun in a SSS (Serious Social Situation) You'll be a lot less concerned about the gun than you are about your own keister. I'm rather partial to the Speer 135-grain Gold Dot load mentioned above, I doubt anything else will work as well out of a snubby!

PJ

tommy killtrigger · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2005, 02:20:05 PM »

Thanks,guys for all the help! Tony!

Mikey · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2005, 02:37:08 PM »

tommy, the fellas are right. Those two particular S&W revolvers are not +P rated. The standard pressure 38 Spl rating by Winchester is 15,500 psi. The +P pressure rating for their 125 gn jhp load is 19,000 psi - that makes a lot of difference in those small frame snubbies. The old Winchester load for the 200 gn rn lead slug was 15,500. Replace that bullet with a 200 gn swc and you are well served. In comparison, the British 38/200 fired a 200 gn rn lead slug at 600'/sec from a 4" service revolver and the Brits claimed it had the same field capability as the 455 Webley. Can't get too much better than that in a J-Frame I think. HTH. Mikey.