Taurus and +p ammo

[EMNofSeattle]

So a few months ago I purchased a 1992 Taurus 85 revolver for concealed carry, I also bought a box of hornady critical defense +p ammo for carry. Well I carried it that way for awhile, then I read that the Tauruses made before 1996 are not rated for +p ammo.

Of course it is sometimes difficult to find .38 hollow points that are not +p around where I live. I don't shoot this ammo for practice, I'm kind of wondering if it will work for self defense or if the gun will blow up in my hand. The box on the critical defense indicates muzzle velocity of 1000 fps and the ball ammo I have )remington UMC) says 750 fps. My question really is, does anyone think this gun is capable of some + p firing?

 

[MedWheeler]

This guy trusts his to carry +P Speer Gold Dots and his is an older model.

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/M85.htm

Charter Arms used to say the same thing about their Undercover 38 series, that they were "not +P rated". But, when questioned, the company says the reason for that is that +P ammo cannot be optimally utilized by the gun because the barrel isn't long enough to allow all the powder to burn while the projectile is still within it. Nothing about the gun being damaged.

Perhaps Taurus stuck with that until "short-barrel loads" started becoming available? Can't say for sure. I have still stuck with standard-vel loads in my two CA revolvers, and trust them fine. If I had to, I'd be okay putting my Remington-UMC 125-grain SJHP stuff (used in my M66) in it, for carry. But I wouldn't go so far as to try Buffalo Bore or anything else regarded as "hot."

I see what you're saying about the scarcity of SV "defense-oriented" .38 ammo.. it is indeed rare in shops.

 

[Old Fuff]

I suggest you ask Taurus...

But anyway, the Plus-P ammunition you have in mind will not even come close to "blowing up the gun." Extensive use, meaning several thousands of rounds might loosen it up - especially if the revolver has an aluminum frame. If you are seriously worried (I wouldn't be) trade the gun in for a later production model that is rated for Plus-P.

 

[tubeshooter]

I have a Taurus 85 from around that time frame. Mine was manufactured in 1994.

If I'm not mistaken, 1995 was the first year that the model 85 was officially designated from the company as +P rated. If your gun is older than that and you call them and ask, they will simply say "don't" from a liability standpoint.


Short answer - no, +P is not going to instantly turn your gun into a hand grenade. Mine is all steel, and while I don't go out of my way to shoot hot loads in it I don't have any reservations about carrying +P for defense, either. As long as your gun was not abused, I would not worry about it.

 

[BSA1]

25 rounds of +P isn't going to hurt your steel frame Taurus. Proof loads have much higher pressure.

Hornady also offers the Critical Defense in regular 38 Special and it expands very well from 2" barrel.

 

[TomADC]

Practice with non +P ammo and carry with +P I'd run a few thru just to know what it feels like. I kept mine a hammer less version loaded with the old hydra-shoks look like a hollow point full wad cutter with a post in the middle, sold it to a friend and now keep that same ammo in my old S&W 19-3 snub nose.