S&W +P stamps

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Maia007

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I have a 2007 vintage 642 that is stamped as +P. I take that to mean that I can shoot +P loads with no worries. And lots of them. Correct?

I also have a 1995 vintage 442 (looks the same as today's 642 except for a nickel finish). It is NOT stamped as +P.

Does that mean that I cannot or that I should severely limit my shooting of +P loads in 442?
 
Yes, and yes. If it's stamped +P, theoretically you should be able to feed it nothing but with no problems; makes my hands hurt just thinking about it though.
And yes, if it's not stamped +P, then you should limit the amount through it; S&W says none, but a cylinder now and then should be fine if it's otherwise in good shape.
 
call Smith & Wesson CS and ask them--have the serial number handy, and they should be able to tell you whether or not yours is +P, whether or not it's marked that way.

Jim H.
 
ANY .38 Special S&W in good condion can shoot any amount of factory "+P" as this ammo is loaded well below industry standards for maximum allowable pressure. All of this "authorized for +P" BS is just that: BS!!!


Here's my 1942 M&P shown with the 500 rounds of +P and 500 rounds of my own +P+ loads (125 JHP at 1,150 FPS) that I shot through it for a lark after hearing all the dire warning regarding +P in older S&W revolvers.


standard.jpg
 
I believe that it was Maasad Ayoob who tried to torture test an Airweight with +p's, and managed to loosen it up to the point that it would no longer function. It just got too shaken and loosened up. There was no catastrophic failure, but it eventually died.

Of course, this does not mean that you cannot carry a cylinder full of +p's in a 442, but I would not torture test it like an all steel gun.
 
No modern vintage S&W is going to blow up shooting +P in it.

It just won't last as long before rattling loose.

And that includes the new ones stamped +P.

rcmodel
 
I have a 1970s S&W Chiefs Special Model 36 that has had a few 125gr., JHP, .38SPL+P through it over the years with no noticeable wear & tear, but for cheap at the range only standard .38SPL FMJ.
 
"I also have a 1995 vintage 442 (looks the same as today's 642 except for a nickel finish). It is NOT stamped as +P.

Does that mean that I cannot or that I should severely limit my shooting of +P loads in 442?"

According to S&W, the 442-1 is okay for +P even though it isn't marked +P. I have one and I asked. None of the Airweights will survive a steady diet of +P.

John
 
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