We inherited a Model 10-5 from my grandfather when he passed away. I remembered reading before that the S&W K-Frames were pretty much all +P rated, with the Model 10's specifically. My grandfather had the thing loaded with old cast lead ammo. Nasty, garbage stuff. I cleaned it, oiled it, and reloaded it with Gold Dot +P hollowpoints. It now sits on my parents' nightstand. Heaven help the SOB who's on the receiving end of that.
S&W Model 10 +p ammo question
- Thread starter BearAZ737
- Start date
- Status
Just joined this forum, and since I own several K-frames, including a couple of Mdl 10s, felt I had to join in. I reload, so my +Ps are really +P. But I shoot mostly "normal" 38 Spl velocity loads, and almost exclusively lead.
Of course, the advise in previous posts is correct: shooting 38 Spl is just flat fun, and +P are slightly less so. If you don't reload, play around with various brands and loads. You'll find a couple (or more) that are startlingly accurate, and when you do, stock up when they go on sale.
Of course, the advise in previous posts is correct: shooting 38 Spl is just flat fun, and +P are slightly less so. If you don't reload, play around with various brands and loads. You'll find a couple (or more) that are startlingly accurate, and when you do, stock up when they go on sale.
To my knowledge any S&W .38 Spl with a model # is capable of shooting +P. If I look in my older manuals from the 70's there are loads of 6.4 gr of Unique for about 1100 fps. The loads for the SPL used to be much hotter then they are today.
true, there were not +Ps back then. Your gun is rated for standard pressure rounds that were of higher pressure than the +Ps of today
joed Now do a search and look at models second number and you will find the info like i did.. -6 and up +p rated
Maj Dad
Member
+P+ For The Older Fuff
Fuff, you sensed my deeply felt indignation about Bear calling his pistol that "old" revolver... I guess it's in the eye & mind of the beholder, but a model numbered Model 10 ain't old; it's a solid citizen and perfectly capable of digesting the available ammo on todays market. I load my "old-er" S&Ws with mild lead bullet loads & just shoot the snot out of them, but from time to time, I load & shoot loads that would be called +P nowadays; I just think of them as stout. Like your knees, take it easy on them mostly, run the confidence courses every now & then, and they'll last you a life time. Try to keep up with the kids over a long military career, and you'll be facing replacement ere you are fully retired (sorry, they're killing me today
) Like Fuff said, your biggest issue shooting a lot of heavier loads is plain old wear. Won't blow it up, but it will eventually wind up in the shop. Moderation... 
Fuff, you sensed my deeply felt indignation about Bear calling his pistol that "old" revolver... I guess it's in the eye & mind of the beholder, but a model numbered Model 10 ain't old; it's a solid citizen and perfectly capable of digesting the available ammo on todays market. I load my "old-er" S&Ws with mild lead bullet loads & just shoot the snot out of them, but from time to time, I load & shoot loads that would be called +P nowadays; I just think of them as stout. Like your knees, take it easy on them mostly, run the confidence courses every now & then, and they'll last you a life time. Try to keep up with the kids over a long military career, and you'll be facing replacement ere you are fully retired (sorry, they're killing me today
) Like Fuff said, your biggest issue shooting a lot of heavier loads is plain old wear. Won't blow it up, but it will eventually wind up in the shop. Moderation... hardluk1, I found very little info. However, the following is what I stated.
"S&W's position was (and may still be) that any steel framed Model marked revolver was safe with +P, keep in mind that +P may wear it out quicker and, generally speaking, standard velocity ammunition will be cheaper. S&W did not start the modern model marking system until 1957; the 10-2 was introduced in 1961 and replaced by the 10-4 in 1962. I have a 10-2, serial number C5522XX, that was a Nashville PD issue gun, it is fine mechanically but the finish shows a lot of wear from long time use."
When I look back through my reloading manuals there are some pretty hot loads that can be shot in a .38 SPL. My older Sierra lists 6.4 gr of Unique with a 158 gr bullet. Present books show 5.0 gr as max. That's a big difference. What happened from 1970 to the present? SAAMI. I have no idea why they downgraded revolvers but they have, to the point that I think the loads are ridiculous.
Back in the 70's there was no such thing as a +P but the loads were much hotter.
Would I shoot loads hotter then 5.0 gr of Unique out of that gun? Yes, but sparingly. It isn't that the gun won't take it but more of I'd prefer the gun to last a long time.
"S&W's position was (and may still be) that any steel framed Model marked revolver was safe with +P, keep in mind that +P may wear it out quicker and, generally speaking, standard velocity ammunition will be cheaper. S&W did not start the modern model marking system until 1957; the 10-2 was introduced in 1961 and replaced by the 10-4 in 1962. I have a 10-2, serial number C5522XX, that was a Nashville PD issue gun, it is fine mechanically but the finish shows a lot of wear from long time use."
When I look back through my reloading manuals there are some pretty hot loads that can be shot in a .38 SPL. My older Sierra lists 6.4 gr of Unique with a 158 gr bullet. Present books show 5.0 gr as max. That's a big difference. What happened from 1970 to the present? SAAMI. I have no idea why they downgraded revolvers but they have, to the point that I think the loads are ridiculous.
Back in the 70's there was no such thing as a +P but the loads were much hotter.
Would I shoot loads hotter then 5.0 gr of Unique out of that gun? Yes, but sparingly. It isn't that the gun won't take it but more of I'd prefer the gun to last a long time.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I stunned by the knowledge on this site! You guys are awesome, plain and simple.
I did take it to the range yesterday and shot 100 rds of Magtech 130 grain and it is extremely accurate. I put fifty rounds in a fist sized group at 15 yrds.
Man you guys are rough on me for calling the revolver old being only twenty the gun is older than my father! But I mean no disrespect to the members much wiser than me and I am here to learn. And learning I am !
I did take it to the range yesterday and shot 100 rds of Magtech 130 grain and it is extremely accurate. I put fifty rounds in a fist sized group at 15 yrds.
Man you guys are rough on me for calling the revolver old
being only twenty the gun is older than my father! But I mean no disrespect to the members much wiser than me and I am here to learn. And learning I am ! 
The Bushmaster
Member
Bushmaster-Of course it was! It was.. A .. blast. I am embarrassed to say I had a bit of a learning curve with the fixed sights but I magically figured it out. This revolver is a champ! I have a soft spot for all Smiths.
And Guillermo, Age is only mind over matter, if you don't mind it doesn't matter. I use that with the ladies
I am embarrassed to say I had a bit of a learning curve with the fixed sights but I magically figured it out. This revolver is a champ! I have a soft spot for all Smiths. And Guillermo, Age is only mind over matter, if you don't mind it doesn't matter. I use that with the ladies
Last edited:
The Bushmaster
Member
If you don't reload, try different manufactures and bullet weights. This may change point of impact (POI) compared to point of aim (POA). The Model 10 was designed to shoot 158 grain lead bullets and may do better with POI/POA.
A while ago I got lucky and bought 3000 nice 158gr LSWC match rounds for $139.00. I had only one thing that shot .357/.38 at the time, a 1894 rifle. I got rid of it and toyed with selling off the ammo at a profit....GLAD I didn't!! I now have 5 handguns that will shoot .38spl, the 10-8, Security Six, Python, Dan Wesson 14 Service, and a 340PD. I can tell you these aren't wimp loads! they are every bit as hot as those +p's I got free with the 340pd. Shoot, what is hot is the 180gr Corbons I got with it! I have those in the SS and it is AWESOME!
I think I'm going to take a shmorgisboard of ammo the next time I go to the range and see what the gun and myself like the most.
My 10-8 loves that 158gr LSWC stuff and LRN in 158. It also shoots well the 125gr JHP +p stuff but poi is high and right about an inch at 15 yards from the other 158gr stuff which is point of aim at all ranges out to 20M or so for me.
Last edited:
Thanks for the tip SniperX, I was thinking about the 158 gr LRN stuff and will definitely get some.
- Status
