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taurus 38

YUKON
Question is can I shoot 38+p from my wife's new snub nose 38 Taurua model 85 ultra light. Not for practice of course just for ccw Thanks
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  • 1KYDSTR
    Every refference I can find to the 85 series UL shows them as being+P rated. Bearing this in mind, I would say yes, they will digest a diet of +P's with relative allacrity. Having said THAT, I think you are on the right course in not wanting to feed it a STEADY diet of +P ammo when the little lady practices with it. I am fond of the Federal hydro-shok reduced recoil 38 +P in the 25 round box. My father uses them exclusively in his Smith's.
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  • YUKON
    Thanks
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  • ruger41
    You CAN shoot +p in your Taurus. I have shot them in mine but they are not pleasant and can make an unseasoned shooter turned off in a hurry. You say this gun is for your wife to shoot. If she is not a seasoned shooter I would stay away from the +p stuff until she is comfortable with the regular amount of recoil that standard pressure stuff gives-some women can handle it right off the bat and some never can seem to handle it. You need to at least practice somewhat with whatever load you intend to carry(to make sure it's hitting close to where you aim). Going up to +p in a 2" .38 isn't going to turn the gun into a death ray. Pick up some Hornady 110 grain Critical Defense in the standard pressure and a box of the same in +p for when she is ready. The Federal's are a great load too.
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  • YUKON
    I like the hornady 110. She has been shootin for about a year and can handle my rossi 357 with ease also my clock 23 40 cal. It was easier to teach her than somebody who already knew everything. The only downsize is now she's hooked.[:0] The gunshow circuit was my free time, now she always wants to go. Eliminating the extras I would bring home for the safe.[:D] Thanks
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  • beantownshootah
    All current production Taurus .38s are rated for +P ammo, including the model 85.

    Fire as many as you like; you won't hurt the gun.

    In my opinion, the limiting factor in shooting +P ammo from a .38 isn't increased recoil, its increased COST.

    .38+P ammo can cost upwards of 50% more than lower end "practice" ammo, and for most individuals that's the realistic limiting factor. So you practice with the cheap stuff, occasionally fire a few of the +P rounds to get a sense of how they shoot or rotate your stock, then carry/load the +P ammo for "business" use.

    All that said, .38+P ammo is overrated. Contrary to popular misconception. 38+P isn't "close" to .357 magnum power, its only rated at 10% more powerful than "ordinary" .38 special ammo.

    In fact, looking at actual chronograph data, in many cases it isn't even 10% more powerful, and there is somewhat of a variation in velocity between the +P loads of the same bullet weight between the different manufacturers.

    Personally, I've done the "Pepsi challenged" firing them blinded one after the other from the same gun, and I can barely tell the difference in recoil between ordinary and +P ammo from an light alloy frame .38 snubnose.

    Its certainly NOT been my experience where the recoil from one is OK, and the other is punishing, ESPECIALLY from an all steel gun.
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