Why buy a .38special?

[tipoc]

The reason they say not to feed a .38 +P chambered gun +Ps all the time, or even to feed a .357 mag .357's all the time, is that it just is unnecessary stress on the gun.

A couple of folks have said in this thread that they've heard that there is a problem firing .38+P in a gun rated for .38 +P. While you may have heard that you also may have heard wrong. If a factory rep told someone that than they were wrong, being overly cautious or steering them towards a .357.

If the gun is rated for +P there is no problem shooting +P out of it all day. +P ammo operates at only about 2000 pds of extra pressure in a .38. which is a mild increase. Folks may be confusing the advice on older guns, that were not made for steady diets of +P ammo, with Smiths made in the last coupla decades that were. S&W has no cautions out about shooting +P out of a piece rated for +P and never has.

tipoc

 

[336A]

tipoc wrote:

If the gun is rated for +P there is no problem shooting +P out of it all day. +P ammo operates at only about 2000 pds of extra pressure in a .38. which is a mild increase. Folks may be confusing the advice on older guns, that were not made for steady diets of +P ammo, with Smiths made in the last coupla decades that were. S&W has no cautions out about shooting +P out of a piece rated for +P and never has.

+1 on that statement. You can feed a S&W M10 +P all day long until the cows come home with no ill effects to the gun. Would the gun shoot loose over time? Sure it will but so will any other revolver for that matter. You would go broke in trying way before you shoot that gun loose though, especialy with the +P ammo on the market now days. The K frame is the perfect vehicle for the .38 SPL it was built from the ground up for the cartridge since its inception. And the changes made since only make it and the cartridge even better. Here is a good read that I think most here will like and this guy says it way better than I can.

http://www.handgunplace.com/handgun/revolver-range-reports/90-s-w-model-10-revolver-long-haul.html

 

[TechAlG]

Because the .38 that I own was my dad's service revolver when he was an LEO. Every time I shoot that gun, I feel like I'm out shooting with him again.

 

[Papaster]

then there's always the price. If you're only going to shoot 38's through it anyway, why spend the extra dough for a 357? also, the shorter cartridge length in the longer chamber allows a little space for residue buildup that won't be so prevalent in a tighter fitting chambering.

 

[gandog56]

Because there may be times you wish it was a .357 instead of a 38? LIke if Mr. Bear takes an interest in you? Though I would rather have my .454 Casull in that case.

 

[.cheese.]

A couple of folks have said in this thread that they've heard that there is a problem firing .38+P in a gun rated for .38 +P. While you may have heard that you also may have heard wrong. If a factory rep told someone that than they were wrong, being overly cautious or steering them towards a .357.

If the gun is rated for +P there is no problem shooting +P out of it all day. +P ammo operates at only about 2000 pds of extra pressure in a .38. which is a mild increase. Folks may be confusing the advice on older guns, that were not made for steady diets of +P ammo, with Smiths made in the last coupla decades that were. S&W has no cautions out about shooting +P out of a piece rated for +P and never has.

tipoc

Hmmm... I don't remember where I was told that. It's entirely possible I could be wrong.

 

[def4pos8]

A .38Spcl will teach you things, if you are sensitive enough to notice.

The cylinder has the least mass of any centerfire revolver -- and far less mass than my Model 317/.22LR. It is SO EASY to pull/rotate but this will reveal any other flaws in your technique. More massive revolvers, whether centerfire or rimfire, mask some bad habits.

I prefer a .44 or .45 for serious social situations, but even with its antique ballistics, a .38 with a hard-cast, Keith-style, 158SWC is not something most folks would welcome, or survive.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Because *every* macho man who has shot my wife's mod. 36 LS w/ 3" barrel has come to the conclusion that first owner (my decidely fond-of-.44 mag father-in-law) came to; it's an absolute rock-solid joy to shoot. When it's a gun-at-ready for either her or me to grab----it is an absolute non-compromise to pick up that wheel gun loaded with +P Hydra-Shoks. At in-house distances, it would be a one or two shot defender.

If I buy another wheel gun for me, I would go with .357--but yes,
it would likely eat the same anyway.

My point being, many weapons that folks are fond of and comfortable with are in .38 SPL----
Fond and comfortable goes a long way to success.