Taurus 85UL - was it always +P rated?

[Ignacio49]

I know there are many threads on this +P subject, but I have a very specific question.

Was the Taurus 85 UltraLight originally rated 38 special, until a point in time when it was +P rated? If so, what year was that?

And why it keeps saying "38 special" in the barrel?....and in the manual? Is it because this +P rating means that it is only capable of just occasional handling of +P ammo?

Thanks

 

[Guillermo]

Yes it is plus P rated.

Not that plus P is a hot round.

It is about the same pressure as regular 38 special before SAAMI emasculated the round.

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

 

[Ignacio49]

Sure Guillermo, it is +P rated, but I want to know some very specific aspects, as per my questions above.

And thanks for the link - interesting reading.

 

[tubeshooter]

I thiink the 85UL was always +P rated, but I am not 100% sure.

If it wasn't, the "non-+P" years would be no more than 2 or 3.

I only know this because I have an all-steel 85 from close to the year of the changeover (1995), and I remember that's right around when the UL models came out. It's been almost 20 years, so my memory is a little fuzzy on the particulars.

This firearms board is specifically for Taurus-brand products. Someone there will probably be able to answer you.

Finally, the Taurus website can tell you the year of manufacture by serial number. So you can check a specific model 85 to see if it was made before or after 1995, if you want.


I have no idea about your question regarding the manual and barrel stamp.

 

[Guillermo]

Sorry I was not clear. The taurus UL has always been "plus P rated "

It is a 38 special, what else would it say on the barrel?

There is no secret meaning.

 

[weregunner]

A steady diet of +P ammo in theory and practice accelerates the wear and tear on the gun,moving parts,and the frame.

There are plenty of people who give their standard pressure older .38 Special revolvers some or minor +P use and have had no problems.

 

[Ignacio49]

..................................
It is a 38 special, what else would it say on the barrel?.........

I remember years ago I saw an 85UL that said "38 special +P" in the barrel (99% sure, but it could have said so in the frame....it was long ago). This, and the fact that it doesn't say +P rated or approved or similar in the manual that came with my SS 85UL, made me think about the possibility of "non +P" and +P production times - hence my questions.

Thank you all for your help.

BTW my 85 was manufactured in 2002.
.

 

[Guillermo]

I do not recall seeing 38 +P on the barrel.

If they did so it is because some people think it means "magnum" and thus they thought it was good marketing.

Again, sorry for any misunderstanding.

 

[roaddog28]

All Taurus 85s are 38 specials. All brands of revolvers that are chambered for 38 special cartridge will say 38 special on the barrel. This goes back to around 1899 when S&W started making the M&P hand ejector 38 special. There is nothing special about a 38 special versus a 38+P revolver. A 38 special round rated for +P is rated at about 10% higher than the 38 special. Simply put, the 38 +P has more powder charge than a standard pressure 38 special.
I am not a expert on the Taurus 85 but since todays standard pressure 38 special has been downgraded since 1972, I would say all Taurus 85s can handle the current +P round.
Bottom line: Todays 38 special +P is nothing more than standard pressure 38 special rounds back before 1972.
Howard

 

[weregunner]

The year was 1995.