.38+p

[NSP]

I went to my personal gun broker and got a S&W Airlight .38+p revolver, it was a customm order form the manufacturer and the previous owner had barrel ports added.

What's tha ballistic difference between .38 and .38+p?

[Hoser]

It's notable...38 spl +p is nothing to sneeze at as a SD round. I've also been researching such a gun to use as a pocket gun. Go to The 642 club - THR and you'll find a lot about Airweights and +p ammo.

[spc]

+p = a hot 38. It would fall between 38spl and 357 magnum velocity wise.

spc

[AuburnHunter]

+1 on Hoser's suggestion of checking out the 642 club on THR. I'm toying around with the idea of getting a 642 as well, and there is a ton of information in the thread he linked to.

[Daregu]

Oh I found my next toy Can't wait to use this bad boy!

[Spicy McHaggis]

The +p ammo means that the round is loaded to a higher chamber pressure and a higher velocity. You will get a little more recoil with the +p because of that.

The difference between the .38 and the .38+p is about 1000 psi as it relates to the maximum chamber pressure set by SAAMI. The difference between the .38 and the .357 magnum is about 18,000psi.

[Bob]

Just a question about .38 +P ammo. I have a Charter Arms .38 Off Duty Special. It is marked as .38 spl. on the barrel, no markings for +P. It is my understanding that without the +P marking it is not "Approved" for +P use and that constant use of +P would eventually damage the revolver. I have been told by more than one gunsmith that I can use +P ammo as SD loads but to not practice with anything other than regular .38 spl ammo.

Opinions?

Thanks as always

Bob

[hygyliac]

Originally Posted by Bob

It is my understanding that without the +P marking it is not "Approved" for +P use and that constant use of +P would eventually damage the revolver. I have been told by more than one gunsmith that I can use +P ammo as SD loads but to not practice with anything other than regular .38 spl ammo.
Opinions?

If the gunsmiths that you talked to are reputable and you trust them then heed their advice. They repair firearms due to owners use or neglect.
You can always look at the paper work that accompanied your Charter Arms, the manufacturer will not risk the liabilty of injury due to the improper use of their item. Lastly if you wish to hear for it from the manufacturers themselves, call Charter Arms technical dept and ask them the question.

[Hoser]

Originally Posted by Bob

Just a question about .38 +P ammo. I have a Charter Arms .38 Off Duty Special. It is marked as .38 spl. on the barrel, no markings for +P. It is my understanding that without the +P marking it is not "Approved" for +P use and that constant use of +P would eventually damage the revolver. I have been told by more than one gunsmith that I can use +P ammo as SD loads but to not practice with anything other than regular .38 spl ammo.

Opinions?

Thanks as always

Bob

The Charter Arms Off Duty is +p rated: The Off Duty from Charter Arms

[spc]

Many firearms will handle +p ammo but it should not be used as as regular diet on firearms not marked as such.

Best to call the manufacturer if you have questions.

YMMV

spc

[Justaguy]

For what it's worth:
I called S&W regarding a model 49 and the use of +P.
After giving the serial #, I was told the year of manufacture (they've benn making them a long time) and that it would OK to use +P on occasion but it would not be a good idea to feed it a steady diet of +P.

In other words, practice with standard pressure rounds, verify the function and point of aim with your favorite +P SD round and load with +P for SD (assuming that is what you shoot best with).

[1buba]

Originally Posted by Justaguy

For what it's worth:
I called S&W regarding a model 49 and the use of +P.
After giving the serial #, I was told the year of manufacture (they've benn making them a long time) and that it would OK to use +P on occasion but it would not be a good idea to feed it a steady diet of +P.

In other words, practice with standard pressure rounds, verify the function and point of aim with your favorite +P SD round and load with +P for SD (assuming that is what you shoot best with).

This is really a cool response when you think about it. Considering the fear of lawsuits, I would have assumed a NO answer instead of a "sure a little won't hurt" response.

[Bob]

Just got this reply from Charter Arms regarding my older Off-Duty.

"We do not recommend +P in older Charters.

We recommend a standard velocity load and practice with round nose lead rounds which are the least expensive, when you load for protection use a jacketed or hollow point in the same grain you practice with.



Thank you for your inquiry,"


I just needed a little additional incentive to upgrade. Charter just gave me justification. So, as I told the wife, "You see honey I need a new pistol." My new Kimber Eclipse Custom II 10mm should be in my hands on September 30. After break-in of the Kimber the Charter will be relegated to a secondary role for those rare days that a 1911 is to large.

Regarding the ammo for the Off-Duty, I still plan to continue my current use of standard loads for practice and +P for SD. We all hope that we never actually need to use our firearms for SD but if I need it I want the +P. I think the calculated risk of injury from this firearm using +P is a lot less than injury or death from a BG. As to follow up shots, on those rare occasions when I have alternated standard and +P in the same session the accuracy has not been noticable especially from 21 feet or less. It is a snubbie after all.

Thanks for all the input.

Bob

[Justaguy]

Originally Posted by Bob

"You see honey I need a new pistol." Bob

Any line of reasoning that brings you to that conclusion is certainly valid....