.38 +P in older guns

[vaccaro]

I have a s&w model 36 that was made in 1964. I would like to keep some +P ammo for it, mostly for home defense. Even though the current model 36's are rated for +P, S&W says that this gun is not. Of course there was no such thing as +P in '64, but some have said that the current +P loads are equivalent to the older .38 standard loads. Is this true? I don't want to risk damaging the gun. Any thoughts?

 

[PotatoJudge]

The 36 will be fine with +P, but there's a better option for these guns now.

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#standard38

 

[Cosmoline]

The 36 is a solid chunk of steel. I don't think you'd have any problems with +p. The FBI's LSWCHP load has been the standard snub nose load for ages, and it's classed as +p.

 

[DrLaw]

I used to use a 200 grain round nose lead bullet atop about 3.8 grains of Unique. Recipe was in an older issue of Gun Digest. The rationale is a large slow moving bullet will tumble upon striking a human as opposed to a high speed bullet drilling a hole. The equivalent of getting hit by a basketball moving at high speed vs. a baseball moving at a higher speed. One will knock you down, the other might stun you.

Sometimes, faster is not better. Try a Charter Bulldog in .44 Special. Bigger bullet, more impact.

The Doc is out now.

 

[MICHAEL T]

My last 36 was made early 70's I always kept loaded with +P I would shoot +P a couple times a year. Never had a problem. I now carry a 49 and its loaded same way. Besides if I ever needed and it save my life but was damaged from +P I would fix or mount on a plaque It did its job.
Shoot a limited amount and don't worry I use the old 158LSWCHP . I saw a jell test and it still held its own against that lighter speer snub load and Corbon

 

[vaccaro]

Thanks for all the good advice. I think I'll try some occasional +P at the range. I like PotatoJudge's suggestion to try Buffalobore. Thanks.

 

[loplop]

I mailed S&W awhile ago to ask about the Mod 36 that I had just bought. It ended up being a 1969/70 production Model 36, and S&W said shooting +P is fine, no restrictions.