orienteeer
Member
newbie wants to know: can they be used in the same handgun?
difference between .38 special & .38 special +P?
- Thread starter orienteeer
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The +P is the same exact cartridge with a bit more powder in it.
If the gun is stamped +P you can use either one. On older guns that aren't stamped +P, the +P should not be used (although I'm not sure that, say, a steel Model 60 produced before "+P" was invented as a spec is any different from a newer one that actually says +P on it).
If the gun is stamped +P you can use either one. On older guns that aren't stamped +P, the +P should not be used (although I'm not sure that, say, a steel Model 60 produced before "+P" was invented as a spec is any different from a newer one that actually says +P on it).
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Todays +P is yesterdays standard pressure load.
Todays standard pressure load is wimpy compared to the same load 25 years ago.
Any steel frame J-Frame ever made can handle +P from now on with no ill effects.
Will they shake loose sooner with +P?
Probably.
But if all you shoot in them is 148 grain target loads they will also last longer then if you shoot 158 grain standard loads.
That's true of .357 Magnums too.
rc
Todays standard pressure load is wimpy compared to the same load 25 years ago.
Any steel frame J-Frame ever made can handle +P from now on with no ill effects.
Will they shake loose sooner with +P?
Probably.
But if all you shoot in them is 148 grain target loads they will also last longer then if you shoot 158 grain standard loads.
That's true of .357 Magnums too.
rc
Apparently I need to repeat this. The +P is loaded BELOW industry standards for pressure and are safe in ANY quality made revolver in 38 Special caliber.
Here's my well-worn 1942 Military & Police with some of the 500 rounds of Rem +P and the 600 rounds of my own +P+ (same 125 at 1,100 FPS) that I fired through it expecting absolutely nothing to happen. I was right.
Here's my well-worn 1942 Military & Police with some of the 500 rounds of Rem +P and the 600 rounds of my own +P+ (same 125 at 1,100 FPS) that I fired through it expecting absolutely nothing to happen. I was right.
KBintheSLC
Member
+P is really only needed in a shorter barrel... under 4"... to attain velocities needed to open up expanding bullets. For a full length duty gun over 4", the standard pressure stuff will open JHP's up just fine.
38 Plus- P or Standard Pressure?
The way I've heard it explained in layman's terms is that in 2" barrel guns the Plus- P restores the speed we lose when we have less than a 4" barrel. So the speed is roughly the same and we maintain velocity that was lost.
The way I've heard it explained in layman's terms is that in 2" barrel guns the Plus- P restores the speed we lose when we have less than a 4" barrel. So the speed is roughly the same and we maintain velocity that was lost.
KINGMAX
Member
Solid steel frames only
A rule of thumb: Shoot +P in only solid steel frames.
A rule of thumb: Shoot +P in only solid steel frames.
Big Daddy Grim
Member
Works great out of my SP 101 and its old so I would think its ok.
Redneck with a 40
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The difference is about 3000 psi of pressure, it'll gain you about 100 fps.
oneounceload
member
when handloading, it is usually about 0.2 grains of powder different
However, I won't shoot +P in my 1928 Colt Detective Special or my pre-model 10....I have other guns for +P
Your gun, do what you want - to me, it's not worth risking damage to something I can't replace for more velocity that usually means worse accuracy anyway
However, I won't shoot +P in my 1928 Colt Detective Special or my pre-model 10....I have other guns for +P
Your gun, do what you want - to me, it's not worth risking damage to something I can't replace for more velocity that usually means worse accuracy anyway
KINGMAX- Talked to a fellow who fired 1,000 rounds of +P through an alloy Model 12 for fun. As expected, no effect.
Elmer Keith wrote in 1955 of shooting the 38/44 load which was far more powerful than +P (FAR MORE) through an alloy J frame Chief's Special with no damage to the gun.
I repeat... once again... any well made gun in 38 Special will handle all the +P you care to purchase for it. The +P is not a hot load. It's a myth.
Elmer Keith wrote in 1955 of shooting the 38/44 load which was far more powerful than +P (FAR MORE) through an alloy J frame Chief's Special with no damage to the gun.
I repeat... once again... any well made gun in 38 Special will handle all the +P you care to purchase for it. The +P is not a hot load. It's a myth.
Hoxviii
Member
I don't know for sure since I don't have any official data to the contrary, but I have a S&W 36 from the late 50's. It's tight and will shoot .38 all day long, but with +p it will occaisonally tie up the cylinder. Therefore, that gun never sees +p anymore, but it does suggest that +p is still hotter than plain .38.
scythefwd
Member
If I remember my load data correctly, about 200 fps on the max "never exceed this load" for each. I don't have my manual here with me, but it was 100-200 fps muzzle velocity.
kmrcstintn
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+p is a higher pressure rating than standard .38 spl; usually more powder or faster burning powder or the projectile might be seated deeper within the casing (Blaser aluminum cased 125gr tmj's are way down in the casing) to increase gas pressure; it gains you some more fps and increased ft-lbs of energy; our +p SAAMI pressure levels are lowered compared to what was considered +p in decades past...more lightweight guns today than in the past (increased recoil and increased wear-n-tear) & steel revolvers were more 'standard' in the past (steel frames stronger & more resilient than aluminum frames)
I have bought, sold, traded, and bought replacement aluminum framed S&W airweight revolvers and all of them have seen +p loads without any problems; the one sitting next to me has Winchester 125gr sjhp .38 spl +p loaded; the only flaw in the gun is the baked on clear coat that S&W uses that gets worn off with use...nothing mechanical
I have bought, sold, traded, and bought replacement aluminum framed S&W airweight revolvers and all of them have seen +p loads without any problems; the one sitting next to me has Winchester 125gr sjhp .38 spl +p loaded; the only flaw in the gun is the baked on clear coat that S&W uses that gets worn off with use...nothing mechanical
txgolfer45
Member
Both my 642 and 442 are rated for +P. I load them with Hornady Custom 125 gr. .38 special JHP/XTP for carry. They are quite manageable with the +P load.
scythe- my reloading recipes look more like 50-120 fps between maxed-out regular and maxed-out +P. Can't remember seeing any that topped 120 fps.
+P is fine with me, but it's not halfway to .357 or anything. It's just a load for a solid, modern .38 Special, and no more.
+P is fine with me, but it's not halfway to .357 or anything. It's just a load for a solid, modern .38 Special, and no more.
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