would like to know if the older smith and wesson model 36 chief specials shoot +p

[Gary A]

Don't know about other folks, but I find I have to be careful that I don't keep asking questions until I hear what I want to hear and then choose to believe what I wanted to believe in the first place.

 

[Hutch]

It's apparent that your 36 was made in 82 or later, owing to the lack of a barrel pin. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to try a few +P's thru it to make sure there were no unexpected malfunctions. If you carry it or put on the bedside table for defense, I would ABSOLUTELY put +P ammo in it. Accelerated wear is not nearly as important as defending your life with the best ammo available.

 

[fecmech]

This is not a recommendation for a load but just simply a testament to the strength of ONE Model 36(no dash #). When I first started reloading in the late 60's I had a Ruger .357 and my Model 36. I had no .357 mag cases so I was loading mags on .38 cases, I guess you can see where this is going. I was loading a cast "Keith" 168gr SWC and wanted to try a "heavy" load for the snubby of 10 grs of 2400 behind that bullet. BTW that is a decent load for .38's at about the upper end of the .38 pressure range and 1000fps out of a 6" gun. Anyhow I loaded the snub up with 5 rounds and expected heavy recoil and I sure got it! I had instead mistakenly loaded 5 magnums with max loads of Herco powder (max at the time, now 2 grs over todays max listing!) and fired all five. That little 36 really bucked and roared but lucky for me it held together. The gun had no ill effects, no loose or sloppy cylinder, no excess end shake, nada. I have the gun today and carry Winchester +p 158 LSWHP's in it. Also since then it has fired at least 1000 rds of wadcutter and my standard "K" frame 158 rn load.
Again this is no recommendation, just a story about an inexperienced young reloader and a tough little Model 36 that survived his dumb mistake.

 

[Phil DeGraves]

Those are good solid guns and should have no problems firing +P ammunition. But, I practice with standard pressure loads of the same bullet weight, which are more fun to shoot.

 

[yongxingfreesty]

thanks everyone, looks like i will be carring the speer stubby rounds and shoot wadcutters. anyone know where the cheapest to buy online in bulk?

 

[jondar]

In his 1955 addendum to his book "Sixguns", Elmer Keith, whose word I would bet the farm on. says that though S&W does not come out and advertise the fact. .38 Special Hi-Speed (what they called +P then) could be safely fired in the 36. He based this on the fact that, being a five shot cylinder, the bolt cuts were not over the chamber, thereby contributing to the strength. I bought my daughter a 36 a couple years ago and since she is more sensitive to decibels and recoil than me, I bought standard ammo for her. But were I shooting the gun I would have no compunction to using +P for defensive ammo. The key word here is defensive.

 

[yongxingfreesty]

just fired 50 winchester standard pressure and then 50 winchester +p rounds and it works great. Nothing wrong with it, it shoot everytime and is very accurate at 7yds. thanks everyone!