Safe to shoot .38 147gr +P+ out of a 1968 S&W Model 10-5?

[dodging230grainers]

I happened upon a box of old LEO .38 special 147gr +P+ cartridges, and was wondering whether or not it would be safe to fire a box and perhaps keep it as an SD load for my 1968 Model 10-5. The gun is in very good condition.

Or is +P the limit for the .38 K-frames? (FBI load)

thanks!

 

[rcmodel]

There is no way to answer your question, because there is no industry standard for +P+ .38 Special.

It could have been loaded to 40,000 PSI back then for use in some police departments .357 magnums.

Some departments did just that to avoid bad press from using Magnum "killer" ammo.

(But we just use .38 Special in our Magnums! Honest we do! See! Just look at the headstamp!)

I would probably avoid using it in a Model 10 until such time I had at least tried a few in a .357 revolver and see what they act like.

rcmodel

 

[Dismantler]

I do not have any data, but I would stick to +p's in a model 10. They have 83% one-shot stops according to a chart that I once saw. I know that police agencies had pretty good luck with them.

I'd give the +p+ to somebody with a .357 magnum...unless you have one.

Again, I have no data, but that may be pushing it.

 

[GRIZ22]

I shoot those +P+ in a 357 and not worry about it. They may not harm your M10 but I wouldn't take the chance.

 

[MCgunner]

Jeez, I cracked the forcing cone on my M10 shooting WADCUTTERS. I wouldn't shoot 'em in anything, but a .357 personally. Like rc says, you don't have any idea how high the pressures are in those things. I've shot some number of mildly +P loads in mine, 5.0 grains Unique and a 158 cast SWC. And, I have fired a few 140 Speers at up around 330 ft lbs, a carry load I carry in my Taurus 85 snubby. It pushes about 280 ft lbs in the 2" gun. I really see no reason to get any wilder than +P in a .38. I have every confidence that +P has enough umph for self defense, both penetration and expansion, in a heavier load like a 158 +P SWCHP, the FBI load.

 

[Ichiro]

If those are the Federal Hydrashok 147s, they're not that powerful. I expect your model 10 wouldn't skip a beat.

 

[dodging230grainers]

Yeah, they are Federal Hydra-shok 147gr +P+. Only 950fps, but supposedly high pressure. Perhaps they are best left reserved for a future Model 19....

What about regular +P, like a Speer Gold Dot 125gr +P at 950fps?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

dodging230grainers,
Like said above, why chance it? You told us you have a M19 which will handle any .38 Special +P you can throw at it. Why not play it safe and shoot only standard pressure rounds in your M10? If you really want something with a punch for your M10 for some reason Buffalo Bore has a few hot standard pressure rounds available.

 

[papajohn]

Harumph, I say, in Bill Ruger fashion. Shoot a cylinder-full and see. A 1968 M-10 is one of the strongest k-frames ever made, and it'd take a lot more than one cylinder's worth to do actual damage. I'm not saying there's no risk, but I'm thinking if a 60's vintage M-10 was on the weak side, I wouldn't have gotten away with shooting almost 70K hot rounds through mine. I won't publish the load, but Winchester assures me it was Plus-P.

On the other hand, there are better rounds out there for SD. Go buy some nice fresh ammo, and save those for the collectors, who will likely pay you five times your cost.

Papajohn