38 special +P+

Laeger

August 08, 2011 15:44

Would it hurt to shoot +P+ 38spl in a 357mag?

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  11b6r

  August 08, 2011 15:58

  No it would not. While there IS no "industry standard" for +P+, as there is for +P, any .38 Special load is still well below a .357 Magnum load.

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  charliemeyer007

  August 08, 2011 15:59

  Should be fine. You might need to clean chamber good to get 357 back in due to build up caused by shorter case. I would not expect top accuracy for the same reason.

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  bambambam

  August 08, 2011 17:47

  No problem. I use my Ruger GP-100 all the time for .38 spec & .38+P.
  
  Like Charlie said, it will build up a "dirt" ring in the cylinder that will need to be cleaned out good for your longer .357 rounds to go in freely.

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  Laeger

  August 08, 2011 17:59

  Thanks for the info[:D]

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  Jorge

  August 08, 2011 21:35

  Wouldn't hurt, however, given that +P+ are more expensive and harder to find, I'd save them for defensive purposes in a .38 Spcl carry revolver.

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  beantownshootah

  August 09, 2011 20:03

  quote:Originally posted by Jorge
  Wouldn't hurt, however, given that +P+ are more expensive and harder to find, I'd save them for defensive purposes in a .38 Spcl carry revolver.
  
  
  
  +1.
  
  Expanding a bit. . .
  
  You "can" fire as many .38 +P+ rounds as you like from a .357 magnum gun without hurting the gun. At worst, you'll create some fouling in the cylinder charge holes right in front of the cases, the same that would happen with ANY .38 fired from a .357 magnum.
  
  The "cure" is just to bush out the cylinder holes with a brass/bronze brush soaked in your favorite gun solvent/cleaner.
  
  But even though you "can" do this, maybe you shouldn't.
  
  Traditionally "+P+" ammo has been restricted to law enforcement sales only, as sort of a ploy on behalf of the ammo companies. This isn't a LEGAL restriction. . .you're still allowed to buy and own +P+ ammo. Its just that for a variety of reasons the ammo companies choose to market certain specialty ammo to law enforcement only.
  
  Consequently, unless you're getting your ammo at taxpayer expense, +P+ ammo is usually hard to come by, and expensive if you can find it.
  
  Meanwhile, .357 magnum ammo is generally more powerful, more readily available, and usually cheaper. If you want a low-recoil .357 load, you can find those, too.
  
  So if you're lucky enough to get your hands on a stash of true .38+P+ ammo, you might consider reserving it for use in .38 special guns, where its really "meant" to be used.

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