What's the difference?

[majake]

I see that with regard to .38 spcl +p ammo most people say that it can safely be used in any S&W .38 with a model#. So my question is what's the difference between a k-38 produced on one day and a Model 15 produced the next that would preclude the use of +P ammo? Or is this just an arbitrary line drawn for convenience?

 

[rcmodel]

There is no line between a K-38 and a K-38 Model 15 that I know off.

If I had a line, it would be drawn prior to 1945, when WWII ended and more modern steel & heat treating came to be used.

The first K-38 Target Masterpiece was made in 1946, and the first K-38 Combat Masterpiece was made in 1949.

Any of them will handle +P till the cows come home.

rc

 

[Guillermo]

Any of them will handle +P till the cows come home.

Yep...what RC said.

The "+P" of today was about the same power as regular .38 special ammo used to be.

Marketing hype.

 

[Radagast]

S&W state 1957 as their cut off point because that is the year they introduced model numbers. It makes it easy for them when queried over the phone Model numbers good, no model number bad. In reality the guns of 1957 are no different to the guns of 1948 when the current short action was introduced.
So any fixed sight K frame with a C Prefix or later, any K prefix with adjustable sights should be fine.