I have a S&W 442 (concealed hammer) no dash and want to carry the 135 grain Speer Gold Dot .38 special +P in it. What is the consensus on carrying and shooting a few of these rounds through a non+p rated gun? I haven't shot any +p through it so far.
Speer 135 grain +P in 442?
- Thread starter MikeJ
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Any "numbered" model S&W .38 is +P rated. If you don't believe me, call S&W and give them the model number and they'll confirm that.
The 442 is exactly the kind of gun that Speer load was designed for.
That being said, +P will be harder on the gun (or any gun) over time than shooting the same amount of standard pressure ammo would be, but it'll be perfectly safe in that gun.
The 442 is exactly the kind of gun that Speer load was designed for.
That being said, +P will be harder on the gun (or any gun) over time than shooting the same amount of standard pressure ammo would be, but it'll be perfectly safe in that gun.
warriorsociologist
Member
^ what he said. FWIW, It's my carry load for my 642.
cslinger
Member
Perfectly safe, perfectly fine. You will accelerate wear and tear but the same can be said with any gun shooting +P ammo.
Like the above poster said that gun is why that ammo was designed.
Chris
Like the above poster said that gun is why that ammo was designed.
Chris
If you're like most people, the PRICE will prevent you from shooting so much of this ammo that you ruin your gun.
If you're going to shoot this stuff by the case, then you've probably got enough money to buy a new gun after you ruin the first one.
~Ichiro
If you're going to shoot this stuff by the case, then you've probably got enough money to buy a new gun after you ruin the first one.
~Ichiro
Master Blaster
Member
I carry this load in my 642.
I find that I can also practice lots with it. If you handload you can buy the 135gr gold dot bullet from midway for about $9 per hundred. Speer puts out data for it at their website under new short barrel loads or something like that. Yes they have a +p load as well. So this makes it pretty easy to duplicate the factory load for about $6 per-box of fifty.
I find that I can also practice lots with it. If you handload you can buy the 135gr gold dot bullet from midway for about $9 per hundred. Speer puts out data for it at their website under new short barrel loads or something like that. Yes they have a +p load as well. So this makes it pretty easy to duplicate the factory load for about $6 per-box of fifty.
JohnBT
Member
"Any "numbered" model S&W .38 is +P rated."
That's not what S&W told me. They said the 442-1 was the first +P-rated gun in that series. I asked because I'd bought a used 442-1 and didn't have a manual.
John
That's not what S&W told me. They said the 442-1 was the first +P-rated gun in that series. I asked because I'd bought a used 442-1 and didn't have a manual.
John
nitesite
Member
The Speer 135-gr +P Gold Dot .38Spl is what is, and has been, carried in my no-dash 442. I figure that it's the most specifically designed bullet for 2" revolvers, so how could one improve on that?
You are correct that the -1 was the first of it's series to be "officially" rated for +P, with corresponding roll mark on the right side of the barrel denoting S&W .38 SPL +P CTG. Before that there was no +P noted on the barrel.
I still shoot +Ps thru mine, though not exclusively. I figure I'll send it back to S&W for tightening if/when that becomes necessary. So far it shoots and locks up like the day it was born, maybe better!
BTW- I find that standard velocity 158-gr loads closely replicate the recoil of the 135-gr +P Gold Dot.
You are correct that the -1 was the first of it's series to be "officially" rated for +P, with corresponding roll mark on the right side of the barrel denoting S&W .38 SPL +P CTG. Before that there was no +P noted on the barrel.
I still shoot +Ps thru mine, though not exclusively. I figure I'll send it back to S&W for tightening if/when that becomes necessary. So far it shoots and locks up like the day it was born, maybe better!
BTW- I find that standard velocity 158-gr loads closely replicate the recoil of the 135-gr +P Gold Dot.
JohnBT
Member
"You are correct that the -1 was the first of it's series to be "officially" rated for +P, with corresponding roll mark on the right side of the barrel denoting S&W .38 SPL +P CTG. Before that there was no +P noted on the barrel."
My 442-1 does not have +P on the barrel (do any of the -1's?), that's why I asked S&W about shooting +P in it. I'm sitting here looking at the gun.
John
My 442-1 does not have +P on the barrel (do any of the -1's?), that's why I asked S&W about shooting +P in it. I'm sitting here looking at the gun.
John
I've never seen " .38 Spl +P Ctg." on the barrel of any Smith revolver. Are you sure about that? Than again, I haven't seen everything.
As far as not all "numbered" J - Frames being rated for +P, I hadn't heard that before either. Once again, I haven't seen everything. Perhaps a call to S&W would clear up the confusion. Let us know what they say.
As far as not all "numbered" J - Frames being rated for +P, I hadn't heard that before either. Once again, I haven't seen everything. Perhaps a call to S&W would clear up the confusion. Let us know what they say.
I had always understood that the alloy J-frames were not rated for plus P but many people reported that they held up fine with limited use. I had a 442 that I used standard pressure Nyclads in, but later bought a 642-1 when that stainless version was introduced. Sometime later, Taurus began to market their small frame revolvers as being plus P rated. Soon after, Smith and Wesson joined the parade. I called Smith and Wesson and was told that the -1 (and any later) version of the 442/642 was, in fact, rated for plus P. Now, is that marketing hype in response to Taurus or due to changes in metallurgy and what-not, I don't know. That's what they told me. The steel versions have long been rated for plus P. No doubt wear would increase with much use. How much? I don't know. I've been toying with a 340PD figuring the scandium alloy frame is supposedly plenty strong. Pricey, though.
Stephen A. Camp
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Hello. My 642-1 is marked "Smith & Wesson 38 S&W SPL +P" on the barrel. My earlier made Model 042, 442, and 642 are not.
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