Model 10-5, plus P ammo?
- Thread starter JoeHenry
- Start date
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
According to S&W, all of the revolvers with an actual model number are fine for SAAMI spec .38+P.
Gorgeous M10 BTW!
Gorgeous M10 BTW!
amd6547
Member
My own is a pre-Model 10, circa 1957…
I wouldn’t think twice about shooting factory +P ammo in it. In fact, it’s loaded with Remington +P 158gn LSWC-HP right now.
I wouldn’t think twice about shooting factory +P ammo in it. In fact, it’s loaded with Remington +P 158gn LSWC-HP right now.
Riomouse911
Member
Nice find! 
Like anything else, the harder you run it the sooner it loosens up. But for a few hundred rounds or so of +P in your Model 10-5, you should be golden.
Stay safe.
Like anything else, the harder you run it the sooner it loosens up. But for a few hundred rounds or so of +P in your Model 10-5, you should be golden.
Stay safe.
1KPerDay
Member
You’ll be fine, depending on your definition of +P.
P5 Guy
Member
Standard-pressure .38 Special loads have a maximum average chamber pressure limit of 17,000 psi as established by SAAMI. +P .38 Special rounds have an average maximum pressure of 20,000 psi. +P+ loads are above 20,000 psi.
GooseGestapo
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2003
- Messages
- 6,154
Can, but shouldn’t!
I would stick to standard pressure loadings. First, because it is near impossible to replace such a bespoke piece.
Secondly, it was regulated to shoot to point of aim with standard velocity 158gr bullets. A 158gr LSWC bullet at ~800fps isn’t tossing nerf balls!
Get a new Taurus .38 if you must shoot +P.
I ruined the accuracy of an early Model 14 by shooting less than 50rds of +P through it. It took replacing the hand, bolt, and stretching the gas ring to correct for the excessive end-shake, loose lock up, and late timing induced by the higher pressure loads.
The gun had been previously overhauled by the old S&W Performance Center with a rebarreling and refinishing. I shot a short lived National record with it in PPC.
FORTUNATELY, I was able to restore it with on-hand parts.
Unfortunately, parts are no longer being made and have became scarce…
Ask yourself if you “need” to shoot +P through your heirloom?
I would stick to standard pressure loadings. First, because it is near impossible to replace such a bespoke piece.
Secondly, it was regulated to shoot to point of aim with standard velocity 158gr bullets. A 158gr LSWC bullet at ~800fps isn’t tossing nerf balls!
Get a new Taurus .38 if you must shoot +P.
I ruined the accuracy of an early Model 14 by shooting less than 50rds of +P through it. It took replacing the hand, bolt, and stretching the gas ring to correct for the excessive end-shake, loose lock up, and late timing induced by the higher pressure loads.
The gun had been previously overhauled by the old S&W Performance Center with a rebarreling and refinishing. I shot a short lived National record with it in PPC.
FORTUNATELY, I was able to restore it with on-hand parts.
Unfortunately, parts are no longer being made and have became scarce…
Ask yourself if you “need” to shoot +P through your heirloom?
Last edited:
johnjohn
Member
I have a 10-5 and won't shoot anything but standard pressure loads in it. If I want more "umphf" I'll get out a .357. Take care of your "stuff".
dbmjr1
Member
I have a Model 10 that will chamber and fire full house .357 loads.
Pretty sure your Model 10 can handle +P.
Pretty sure your Model 10 can handle +P.
Just answered that question in REVOLVERS section a couple of weeks ago.
ANSWER: NO !!!! I replaced the cylinder in my 10-5 because I listened to an "EXPERT" who said they can handle +P.
MINE DID NOT. I had to pound the cartridge out with a brass rod and a mallet.
1KPerDay
Member
Hmmmm how PLUS was that plus P??
biquer
Member
I have several older model 10s and a model 64.
I don’t see the point in stressing these fine old revolvers.
My old model 19 also gets pampered.
Hot loads (.357) are reserved for 686, Blackhawk and GP100.
I don’t see the point in stressing these fine old revolvers.
My old model 19 also gets pampered.
Hot loads (.357) are reserved for 686, Blackhawk and GP100.
Tallball
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2014
- Messages
- 7,814
I have to admit to being cowardly about shooting spicy ammo through my really nice revolvers.
Like a couple of other posters said, I only put hot ammo through a cheap Taurus or an almost indestructible Blackhawk.
My nice older S&W revolvers shoot mild range loads. All of them will easily last as long as I do.
Like a couple of other posters said, I only put hot ammo through a cheap Taurus or an almost indestructible Blackhawk.
My nice older S&W revolvers shoot mild range loads. All of them will easily last as long as I do.
NO NO NO!!!!!
I just called Smith & Wesson Customer Service 800 331-0852 THEY TOLD ME:
ONLY S&W MODEL10-10 OR 10-11 STARTING IN 1997 CAN HANDLE +P LOADS.
Jim Watson
Member
Ugh, company speak out of both sides of mouth.
I no longer have my old references, and do not have pressure tested data prior to the +P designation.
But Lyman 44 (1967) goes up to 158 + 5.4 gr Unique while today Alliant says 4.7 is standard maximum and 5.2 is +P maximum. Close enough for gun, bullet, powder lot variables.
I no longer have my old references, and do not have pressure tested data prior to the +P designation.
But Lyman 44 (1967) goes up to 158 + 5.4 gr Unique while today Alliant says 4.7 is standard maximum and 5.2 is +P maximum. Close enough for gun, bullet, powder lot variables.
.455_Hunter
Member
Now that one is pretty amusing. The 158 gr LSWC/LSWC-HP +P and the 125 gr JSP/JHP +P were pretty much the standard duty loads for the entirety of the 10-7 and 10-8's production run. They would also probably tell you that the Heavy Duty series is also only suitable for standard pressure loads.
Thanks for the info buddy.
1KPerDay
Member
Probably just safer not to fire the guns at all, really. Yeah, let's go with that.
If they really said that, maybe it's just post modern CYA? Contradicts everything I know. In fact, pretty sure I emailed them in line 2004 and was told something completely 180 from this...
Speedo66
Member
How about a couple of simple questions:
What is maximum pressure in a .38 Special standard load?................Approx 16,100 psi, Back in the early 1900s they = cups or lups
What is maximum pressure in a .38 Special +P load?..........................Approx 17,000 to 20,000 psi
When were .38 Special +P loads commercially available?...................Sometime between 1969 and 1974.
Now how does that go?? S&W built a gun to handle 20,000 psi, 60 to 70 years BEFORE the first cartridge was made that the gun could max. out? Even before the .357 Mag. was invented? Really?
Last edited:
Similar threads
- Locked
