+p ammo in a S&W 442?

[boomstik45]

Does anyone know if the S&W 442 can handle +p ammunition? Mine says .38 special on the barrel, doesn't say +p, but I wanted to know. Reason being, there are far more reasonable/good +p choices of ammo available to me locally than there are plain old .38 special, when it comes to hollow point "carry" ammunition. I mean, the regular ol' Federal Hydrashok standard round at 110 grains is ok, but I prefer something a little heavier, perhaps.

I'd appreciate any advice/info...

 

[BADUNAME37]

Huh,
My 642 says 38 Special +P right on the left side of the barrel (actually reads .38 S&W SPL.+P).
Isn't the 442 just an un-blued version of the 642?

In fact, it is stoked as I type this with the Speer Gold Dot +P Short-Barrel Protection for 1 7/8" long barrels, which is my gun. I believe these Gold Dots are 135g.

 

[boomstik45]

Mine doesn't say +p on the barrel, and yeah I originally thought that the 442 was merely the blued (black) version.

I just don't want to take chances with the gun. I bought it without box or instructions, so no help there.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I am sure S&W would give you a new booklet of instructions, or you could go to their site, I am sure they would have all the details spelled out about what each gun shoots.

Is yours a new one, does it have the lock on it? If not, was there a time when the 442 did not shoot +P, but now it does??

I agree, you want to know that as the gun will wear a lot quicker with +P loads if the gun was not made for them.

 

[SaxonPig]

It is a myth that +P is any sort of hot load. It is loaded well below max allowable pressure and ANY gun made for 38 Special can shoot +P.

 

[jp9mm]

I have a SW 640, just says .38spl on barrel. Called SW to verify it would handle +p, it does.
They said anything made after 1990(? cant remember exactly) is rated for +p

 

[Haywood]

Even if your 442 is not rated for +P it will handle enough to test point of aim and point of impact. Do your practice shooting with standard 38 and carry +P. This is the common answer from most professionals that are asked that question. If you shoot hundreds of 38+P it will accelerate ware on your Revolver. I have followed this practice for 30 years without any breakdowns. I have done this with Smith and Wesson's, Taurus, Charter Arms, and Rossi.

 

[Viper225]

I just got my 442 Pro Moonclip out of the holster for a look. It says 38 Special +P on the barrel. It is a brand new model for 2012 if I am not mistaken.
Rated for +P or not, I would not put a steady diet of HOT +P through any J Frame Airweight. A few rounds now and again, and you should be ok.

Bob

 

[JohnBT]

S&W told me that if the gun is marked 442-1 then +P is okay. I was asking because I have a 442-1 that is not marked +P.

John

 

[boomstik45]

My 442 does not have the dreaded lock. It's marked 442...not 442-1. I hadn't planned on shooting a steady diet of +p through it, just wanted to be able to put some down the pipe and carry it as well.

BTW, I don't believe in carrying something I won't shoot at least a box of. Nothing like touching off something a little hotter and with a different point of aim than the cheap stuff I practice with.

 

[boomstik45]

Maybe I'll take a look at it again, but could have sworn it said 442 only.

 

[Guillermo]

It is a myth that +P is any sort of hot load. It is loaded well below max allowable pressure and ANY gun made for 38 Special can shoot +P

This is the answer

http://shootingwithhobie.blogspot.com/2009/01/p-phenomenon-by-saxonpig.html

+P is NOT a hot load

It is the same pressure as REGULAR pressure ammo used to be before SAAMI lowered the pressures.

They are selling you regular ammo marketing it as high performance.

 

[jp9mm]

This is the answer

http://shootingwithhobie.blogspot.com/2009/01/p-phenomenon-by-saxonpig.html

+P is NOT a hot load

It is the same pressure as REGULAR pressure ammo used to be before SAAMI lowered the pressures.

They are selling you regular ammo marketing it as high performance.

if its hotter than "today's" regular .38 spl than it still is "high-performance"

Is SAMMI cashing in ? lol

 

[Guillermo]

if its hotter than "today's" regular .38 spl than it still is "high-performance"

the marketing weenies earned their money on "+P"

If Government Motors lowers the horsepower on the vette and offers a "performance" model with the same horsepower as last year, it is "high performance" compared to the new "sub formance".

But Goodyear doesn't have to worry if the tires from last years Vette can handle the "New high performance" car's output

 

[jp9mm]

the marketing weenies earned their money on "+P"

If Government Motors lowers the horsepower on the vette and offers a "performance" model with the same horsepower as last year, it is "high performance" compared to the new "sub formance".

But Goodyear doesn't have to worry if the tires from last years Vette can handle the "New high performance" car's output

Yes, I love marketing techniques!
My favorite is "You may incur charges up to $500", what "may/up to" just say its a $500 dollar charge.

 

[Guillermo]

they aren't charging you to use your credit card, but giving you a discount for cash

 

[skidder]

It is the same pressure as REGULAR pressure ammo used to be before SAAMI lowered the pressures.

G is right

Prior to 1972 38 +P was considered 38 special. I have reload manuals from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. The standard 38 special loads are marked +P in the latter manuals. I like to use the older manuals for my 38 revolvers... that way I'll be in spec on the ones not marked +P

 

[BADUNAME37]

I agree that the +P loads should be shot enough so you know how accurate you are and the POI in relation to the fixed sights on those guns. I also agree that it should not be a steady-diet of many, many rounds of +P, as they will more than likely wear and tear on the gun more than calmer loads.

I have a 642, and it does say +P, however, I shot mine just enough times to realize that the POI is perfect for my fixed sights at 21 feet! That is when I decided to STOP burning up the Speer 135g Gold Dot Personal Protection for short barrels +P rounds and just plink with my reloads which are middle of the road calm 158g LSWCHP's by Speer, bought in boxes of 500 pills each.

 

[Guillermo]

as they will more than likely wear and tear on the gun more than calmer loads.

dry firing will wear it even less than the emasculated "regular" pressure rounds that are safe in a revolver from the "roaring 20's" with unhardened cylinders.

(head in hands...Damn the marketing weenies were effective)

 

[Gary A]

Let's see. I buy an older airweight J-frame in good condition, well-fitted and without an internal lock or MIM parts or anything else I might find objectionable and I want to keep the gun, in good condition, as long as I reasonably can since its like will never be made again. So, I ask the factory for their advice and I also ask on the Internet. I receive many responses ranging from "don't shoot plus P" to "shoot a few to gauge recoil and determine POA" to "plus P is bogus horse manure".

Why would I choose answer three given by people I don't know telling me what to shoot with my gun when they have zero skin in the game? If I stretch the aluminum frame of my near irreplaceable revolver, they aren't out a thing. I am.

Trust, but verify.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It is amazing how well the marketing for +P .38 Specials worked, isn't it? It worked so well we actually see questions on this forum about being able to safely shoot .38 Special +P ammo in a .357 Magnum revolver. I can't believe someone is more worried about something called +P over something called Magnum!

 

[Doghandler]

The world is a marketing ghetto. Whatever makes your hand hurt the most wins.

 

[Guillermo]

Trust, but verify

riddle me this batman

what was the pre 1971 38 special SAAMI pressure?
what is the post 1971 SAAMI pressure?

If you can answer those two questions, you will have verified.
until then you are depending on someone else to make the decision for you.

 

[Guillermo]

I can't believe someone is more worried about something called +P over something called Magnum!

it is truly amazing

The irrational fear over a round that was re-labeled as "powerful" has otherwise intelligent people losing bladder control like a new puppy.

 

[Gary A]

I'm not claiming to have absolute information on this subject. When it comes up and I read various links, usually to previous versions of the same argument debated by the same principals, I generally find hyperbole-laced comments about some foolish people who believe they need the protection of Kevlar to shoot plus P in a .357 revolver. It may well be that SAAMI standards for .38 Special were higher in 1971 and lowered. I know that up until a few years ago the standard was 17,000 psi and plus P was 18,500. During this time plus P was not recommended for airweight j-frames. The argument about the safety of plus P in steel K-frames has absolutely no bearing on the OP's question about his older 442. I do know that more recently the SAAMI standard for .38 plus P was raised to 20,000 psi. If an older airweight was not rated for 18,500, why would it be now OK for 20,000? Once again, the people making this argument have nothing to lose by saying everyone is wrong except them. In no way do I believe that plus P will blow up the OP's 442. I do believe that 20,000 psi might well shorten it's life and rapidly. His OP indicates he would like to preserve the revolver in question. Personally, were I to choose a plus P round for that revolver, I would use a 158 grain LSWCHP+P, a load that's been around a while, is loaded to 18,500 and is not jacketed. I'm a bit conservative and make no apology for that. If I'm wrong, I would gladly acknowledge that.