S&W 36/60: +P Ammo?

[Cold Steel]

I realize the S&W 36/60 and Rossi M88s weren't rated for the +P .38Spc, but does anyone have any real time experience using this type of ammo with these types of guns? I'm hesitant to use +P ammo with my J-frame guns, but I had a friend back in the 90s who shot it repeatedly in his Rossi 3-inch and he said his gun handled it just fine. His praise of the gun was so great that I bought one -- a stainless model that I've (ironically) never fired.


Rossi .38 M88 (top) and S&W 60 .38Spc J-frames.

 

[4g64loser]

I have a 36 (steel.frame) and a 38 (aluminum frame). The 36 will eat 158+P all day and has. My Centennial is the same. I don't hammer on the aluminum frame with a solid diet of hot stuff on the advice of some wheelgun old timers. The biggest problem, as it was told to me when I started using revolvers (with a 66 combat magnum) was the shorter bullets (110 and 125s in 357mag were specifically called out) at higher speeds.

One.of the guys had multiple 19 barrels with split forcing cones on his "wall of shame" from a solid diet of 125s at magnum velocities. He advised me to use 158s. I took that to the 38 snubbies as well. One of those has a LOT of rounds from me and nobody knows how many from the previous owner. I use 148 wadcutters for light loads and 158s for the real thing.

 

[John from MD]

I realize the S&W 36/60 and Rossi M88s weren't rated for the +P .38Spc, but does anyone have any real time experience using this type of ammo with these types of guns? I'm hesitant to use +P ammo with my J-frame guns, but I had a friend back in the 90s who shot it repeatedly in his Rossi 3-inch and he said his gun handled it just fine. His praise of the gun was so great that I bought one -- a stainless model that I've (ironically) never fired.


Rossi .38 M88 (top) and S&W 60 .38Spc J-frames.

I have owned and carried S&W 36, 38, 60, 360PD and Rossi 720 and Taurus 85 and 85 Ultralite. That said, I would not shoot +P ammo in any too much as it will ruin you hands. My carry loads were always hot but I always practiced with light loads.

In the 3 to 10 yards that you will use these guns, there is no noticeable difference in accuracy between the hot loads and practice loads. As for the guns, all could take once in a while use of +P ammo.

 

[jimbobborg]

From S&W website, all post WWII S&W revolvers are rated for +P ammunition.

 

[Biggfoot44]

From S&W website, all post WWII S&W revolvers are rated for +P ammunition.

Not quite . The official distinction is having a Model Number stamped on the frame ( 1954-57 era )

The answer for J frame is - Yes , you can , but extensive use of+P will accelerate wear .

The other question is if you Wish to .

 

[John from MD]

Not quite . The official distinction is having a Model Number stamped on the frame ( 1954-57 era )

The answer for J frame is - Yes , you can , but extensive use of+P will accelerate wear .

The other question is if you Wish to .

That is the real question. Especially if you own a 360 PD.