S&W Model 10 +p ammo question

[BearAZ737]

Hi guys, I just bought my first revolver a Smith&Wesson Model 10-2, in what I think is pretty darn good condition. The action is crisp and there is no rattling to speak of. I have a question on how often, if ever, I can shoot +p ammo out of it. I'm going to take it to the range soon to see how it fires and all I have is Remington Lead Hollow Point +P ammo.

 

[Drail]

While it probably won't blow up it probably will lead the barrel badly. I would get something non +P. That is a nice old Smith. Just shoot standard .38 Spl. rounds out of it. Give those +P lead rounds to someone you don't like.

 

[DrLaw]

Ditto. +P means extra pressure, not necessarily extra performance.

If you are new to guns, then what you need to do is start small and go larger. For a .38 Special, that pretty much means, start practicing with wadcutter loads for learning where the gun (and you) shoot. Step up to 158 grain lead semi-wadcutter or 158 grain round nose lead as a defense load, or any hollow point 125 or 158 grain, just so long as it is not a +P.

+P's in that gun will wear it out faster than a lifetime of regular loads or wadcutter target loads.

The Doc is out now.

 

[BearAZ737]

Sweet, thanks guys. I was thinking about babying it since it was so old. Any other tips to keep it in tip top shape?

 

[MachIVshooter]

The gun can take it, but there's really no reason to give it a steady diet of +P. It'd be like cruising down the interstate in 3rd gear at 4,500 RPM when you don't need to be at peak horsepower. Downshift to pass, then get back into OD to save wear and tear. Same concept with high performance ammunition in guns.

Shoot a few to acclimate to the recoil, put them in it for defense duty, and use standard .38 loads to practice.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I have three M10's. Two 4" and one 2". +P is not a problem as long as it's copper plated or jacketed. I am not a lead expert, but I do hate cleaning out lead from my barrels.

I would not feed it a steady diet of +P. But practice with standard .38 specials and use +P for self defence.

 

[roaddog28]

Hi,

Your model 10-2 is rated for +P ammo. With that said I would have to agree with shooting a target load for practice. Walmart often carries a white box Winchester standard pressure 38 special with 130 gr. Its a light grain load but will be ok. I shoot this target round in all of my model 10s. This includes my pre-10 made in 1954. No issues.

Enjoy shooting you model 10. One of the best all time revolvers.

Regards,
roaddog28

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Today's +P ammo is no hotter than the ammo of the past when your M10 was manufactured. I own a pre-M10 and like said above, while I wouldn't feed it a steady diet of +P ammo it won't hurt the revolver to use +P for SD.

Oh, and I get absolutely no leading from the Remington FBI Load. Most lead ammo won't cause leading at 900 fps and neither does this one. That M10 was made for lead ammo and it will be very accurate. I know Remington R38S12 ammo is accurate in my M&P.

 

[Guillermo]

as the angel said, +P is not as hot as the regular pressure 38 special when your gun was made.

your gun can take it

that said, unless you reload it is a waste of money for practice

avoid +P+ as there is not industry standard

remember...current +P is NOT hot (current regular 38 is pretty wimpy) and the only reason people think +P is hot is because they are victims of marketing

 

[ArchAngelCD]

remember...current +P is pretty mild stuff and the only reason people think it is hot is because they are victims of marketing

Yup, exactly...

 

[BearAZ737]

Thanks a lot, your guy's input has been very very helpful. The +p ammo I bought was only $16 for 50 rds and was a steal so I won't feel bad shooting a couple cylinders every couple months till its gone. Since it is an old gun how often should I take it to the range? I shoot a new S&W M&P .45 as often as I can, should I take the M10 along whenever I feel like shooting it type of deal?

 

[Radagast]

With an occasional timing tune up your gun will be good for tens of thousands of rounds. Shoot it whenever you feel like it.

 

[Guillermo]

Since it is an old gun how often should I take it to the range?

Bear

In most respects it is superior to anything that you can buy new. The only thing that a new revolver can be considered superior is weight. The titanium alloys weigh less which makes them less pleasurable to shoot. For me, I would take your old revolver over ANYTHING in the new case without a second thought.

Your model 10 is quite hardy. Shoot it all you want. There is no reason to baby it other than out of respect for its superior quality.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Everyone on here have praised the S&W Model 10 with good reason. They are a very tough .38 special. They are a pleasure to shoot. They are very accurate. An excellent handgun for the lady in your life. Sometimes (compared to modern alloys) concidered a bit heavy. Personally I like'em heavy. Cuts down on "felt" recoil.

Shoot the M10. You will flat enjoy it.

 

[keyboard commando]

Hit or miss

The fixed sights are regulated for 158 gr.LRN ammo.

 

[Old Fuff]

I was thinking about babying it since it was so old.

You sure know how to hurt the OLD Fuff, who was buying guns when the one you have was made during the early 1960's. I (sniff) could use some babying...

Plus-P ammunition comes in many flavors, but the very most hotest won't blow up your revolver. What it can do though, if it's used extensively as a steady diet, is cause an undesireable condition called cylinder end shake.

Cylinder end shake is back and forth movement of the cylinder (as opposed to rotational movement). It comes about when the heavy cylinder batters the end of the yoke barrel (the part the cylinder rotates on).

I know because I have corrected the condition in endless numbers of revolvers (in particular S&W K-frame .38's) that spent most of their lives in law enforcement service where they sometimes saw an unusual amount of Plus-P ammunition.

Plus-P ammunition, more often then not, comes with someone's super-tactical bullet that's jacketed, and costs more then ordinary cast lead ones. If you feel that you must have the latest in such loads (I don't) then by all means carry them. I'm not so sure they will make a meaningful difference, but if they make you feel better go ahead. On the other hand if the cost savings will allow you to practice more... well that could make a difference.

You now have one of the best service revolvers ever made. All you have to do is learn how to best use it.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If it is called a Model 10, it is fully rated for SAAMI-spec +P.

 

[BearAZ737]

Sorry Old Fuff! I wish I could have been buying guns that long but as a broke college student I'm glad I can start my collection now

Who makes the best holster for the Model 10? Lets see what you guys have

 

[SaxonPig]

Since +P is loaded below maximum allowable pressure all 38 revolvers are "rated for +P."

 

[The Bushmaster]

Not really SaxonPig. Some are loaded under maximum pressure and some are at +P pressures. Re-read post #16.

 

[CraigC]

Absolutely no reason not to use +P in your sixgun, in any quantity. Remember that it is only a maximum of 3000psi over standard pressure .38Spl. Not a huge difference.

While it probably won't blow up it probably will lead the barrel badly.

I don't know where this comes from. The Remington FBI load is a classic and one I've used by the thousands. I've never had a leading problem and it has always been extremely accurate.

 

[SaxonPig]

TB- I see nothing in post 16 to alter my opinion which is based on several years study and investigation. For every gun supposedly damaged by +P (which strikes me as impossible given the facts regarding factory +P pressures) I can point to many more showing no ill effects, even when loads much hotter than +P are used. Maybe some individual guns have problems.

 

[Sniper X]

I noticed on the new 10-15s they say .38spl+p on the hang tag and box...

I have a 10-8 and never shoot anything but +p and shoot a couple cylenders after the lead stuff and never have leading problems.

 

[joed]

The .38 Spl was loaded hotter back in the days when that revolver was made. You should have no problems with leading below 1100 fps either, as long as the bullet is the correct size.

It's actually a shame the way SAAMI has cut the revolver loads.

 

[Guillermo]

It's actually a shame the way SAAMI has cut the revolver loads

amen brother!!!