I have a Taurus .38 snubbie that I got new back in the mid 80s. I think this is what they would call a model 85 today, which they say is OK with +p ammo. I have never tried it in this gun, and the paperwork is long gone. Anyone know if the older guns are good with +p ammo?
Taurus and +p?
- Thread starter nearmiss
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From what I read on the Taurus website looking at their revolver manual, I see that it is ok but there is a note that all +P ammunition lessens the useful life of the firearm. So I would say practice with standard sammi and load +p for carry. If you have an Titanium model there is also a minimum gr. weight of 125 for .38spl also.
weregunner
Member
Snow is correct to a point. Since the late 1990s +P ammo in the 85 is allowed.
For the 1980s, and I have a 85 CH, +P is not endorsed by Taurus.
Many of us who have 85s made in your Taurus' time frame have used +P rounds in them anyway and had little or no bad effects exhibited in any way.
I can bring forth the links( Plenty of those) if need be.
However most of the Taurus and Rossi owners who have snub revolvers made in the 1980s do use standard pressure rounds only.
Buffalo Bore makes www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=23 these and any of them (don't use the hardcast rounds. They are lousy for defense) should protect you well.
Federal makes this.
P38MA 38 Special 125 / 8.1 Nyclad HP Premium® Personal Defense®
Velocity in Feet per Second (To nearest 10 FPS)
Velocity
Load No Caliber Muzzle 25 Y 50 Y 75 Y 100 Y
P38MA 38 Special 830 776 727 682 641
These are 125 gr. LSWCHP coated with a thin nylon. Very soft lead.
These were practice rounds several decades ago that turned out to be very good self defense rounds. Federal took them off the market a few years back and then returned to producing them in the last year or so. Maybe more.
Mas Ayoob and Marshall & Sanow recorded their actual street use record. It was right behind the 158gr. LSWCHP, +P version for stopping fights.
I bought a case of the standard pressure Nyclads to use in my 85CH and the Taurus 856 Lyte magnesium model.
Fast shot to shot recovery times,lack or recoil, and being user friendly are the reasons I use the Nyclads. That and for cost reasons,too.
Even though Taurus says in it's catalogs and at it's web site that all of their guns,except the 85 magnesium Lyte, are +P rated was started in the 1990s as stated. Anything after that time is +P rated.
If you call Taurus custome service at 1-800-327-3776 they can verify most of what I've told you if not all of it.
That or check things out at http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?board=7.0
I stay at that gun forum, this one and, try to answer some of the Taurus questions if I can. That or get the person to the links or people who can answer the question.
The links are always for resarch purposes only.
For the 1980s, and I have a 85 CH, +P is not endorsed by Taurus.
Many of us who have 85s made in your Taurus' time frame have used +P rounds in them anyway and had little or no bad effects exhibited in any way.
I can bring forth the links( Plenty of those) if need be.
However most of the Taurus and Rossi owners who have snub revolvers made in the 1980s do use standard pressure rounds only.
Buffalo Bore makes www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=23 these and any of them (don't use the hardcast rounds. They are lousy for defense) should protect you well.
Federal makes this.
P38MA 38 Special 125 / 8.1 Nyclad HP Premium® Personal Defense®
Velocity in Feet per Second (To nearest 10 FPS)
Velocity
Load No Caliber Muzzle 25 Y 50 Y 75 Y 100 Y
P38MA 38 Special 830 776 727 682 641
These are 125 gr. LSWCHP coated with a thin nylon. Very soft lead.
These were practice rounds several decades ago that turned out to be very good self defense rounds. Federal took them off the market a few years back and then returned to producing them in the last year or so. Maybe more.
Mas Ayoob and Marshall & Sanow recorded their actual street use record. It was right behind the 158gr. LSWCHP, +P version for stopping fights.
I bought a case of the standard pressure Nyclads to use in my 85CH and the Taurus 856 Lyte magnesium model.
Fast shot to shot recovery times,lack or recoil, and being user friendly are the reasons I use the Nyclads. That and for cost reasons,too.
Even though Taurus says in it's catalogs and at it's web site that all of their guns,except the 85 magnesium Lyte, are +P rated was started in the 1990s as stated. Anything after that time is +P rated.
If you call Taurus custome service at 1-800-327-3776 they can verify most of what I've told you if not all of it.
That or check things out at http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?board=7.0
I stay at that gun forum, this one and, try to answer some of the Taurus questions if I can. That or get the person to the links or people who can answer the question.
The links are always for resarch purposes only.
Attempting to turn a Taurus .38 snub into a more powerful gun with +P ammo is not a wise idea. If it's not powerful enough trade it on something that is. Personally I would not feel disadvantaged at all with that gun firing a standard 158 gr. load.
weregunner
Member
It would be wise to call Taurus Customer Service at phone number 1-800-327-3776. Ask them about +P use. Give them the serial number on your 85 and they can tell you yes or no.
Since +P use is in question for now it would be wise to use standard pressure rounds until the +P question is answered.
Since +P use is in question for now it would be wise to use standard pressure rounds until the +P question is answered.
dawei
Member
Taurus® did not rate their small frame 38 Specials +P capable until 1996. Consequently you revolver is not warranted for +P use. You could should +P in it, but; it will surely accelerate wear. My wife and I carry two standard pressure loads in our Taurus® Mdl 85 and Rossi® Mdl 88 38 Special snubbies; they are.......nearmiss said:
• Buffalo Bore® Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Ammo - 158 gr. Soft Lead SWC-HC
• Federal® Premium® Personal Defense® Standard Pressure 125gr Nyclad™
I use the Buffalo Bore® 158gr LSWCGCHP; my wife likes the Federal® Nyclad™s. Load up with either of these and you will be well defended.
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