Military .38 Special +P - new to me

[JT-AR-MG42]

While helping settle up an estate, I came across this ammo and thought I would share
because it's the first I've seen.



The ammo is listed in my guide book - Section F-3. Had never noticed it before while perusing various Military loadings.

From the Guide book:
72 million rounds made in 1979 and 80.
It was the last .38 Special ammo made at LC.
The ammo was made with a very high bullet pull in response to reports of M41 standard ball cartridges having had their bullets pulled,
powder charges doubled and then having been fired in Model 15's with damage to the gun.
Velocity at 1125 with pressure at 20 - 24,000 psi.

Any experience with it out there?

JT

 

[golden]

Basically they created a standard pressure 9x19 ball round with a rim. Not a really impressive creation, considering the poor record that 9m.m. ball ammo has for stopping power.

Jim

 

[GooseGestapo]

A steady diet will prematurely wear out an M15.
When my brother was on the AirForce Security Police rifle/pistol team, they were forbidden to use the PGU12B ammo. Only contract WCC 148gr wadcutter Match ammo (Winchester SuperX Match). Their M15’s had been worked over by Tampa Fl. gunsmith Jim Fish. 7-8lb d/a, 3.5lb s/a. They wouldn’t reliably set off the primers on the PGU12B ammo (HARD primers!), and a few cylinders full would induce unacceptable cylinder end shake.
He spent 13mos tdy to the range at McDill AFB circa ‘77-78.


Same as later PGU12B by Winchester.
At 130gr, it’s actually closer to .38Super.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

If that would've been a hollow points the results would be wonderful but sadly our military has yet to catch on because of some treaty we never even signed (Hague I believe?) Even today there was no reason to switch away from the M9 you want more effectiveness than 9mm ball? Put a dang hollow point in the mags !!!!

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I had a bunch of that LC brass in a batch of brass I scrounged. First time I ever ran into crimped primer pockets in 38 Spl.

Told a friend that I had 38 Spl with crimped pockets, he didn't believe me. Won an orange soda pop on that bet.