1st revolver

S

Sea Raider

Inactive
Hello all, I just got my first real handgun of any type, a Rossi M88 .38spl. It's probably 20 years old or so I think? Anyways, it looks pretty clean, can't see any damage, feels solid, and the older gentleman I traded with for it told me he only put about 20 rounds through it that he could remember. My question is, can I put 100 of these rounds (Remington 38 special +P 125 Grain Semi-Jktd Hollow Point) through it at the range without damaging the gun or having it blow up in my hand? Thanks in advance for all advice.
 

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Welcome. In small revolvers in .38s, I stick with Federal Nyclad standard pressure loads and use 130gr FMJ at the range.

Doubt if it will blow up in hand but too many +P will possibly loosen action and or timing.
 
Thanks for the reply Chesster. I realized after the fact that +P ammo puts more pressure on the gun, but can't return the rounds to WalMart now, final sale. Do you think I can safely run through this box or is 100 rounds gonna tear the gun up too much to then switch to FMJ rounds in the future?
 
If it isn't rated for +P ammo then don't give it a steady diet of them. Shoot a few of them to see how they handle, then keep it loaded with them for defensive purposes. A few of them will not tear your gun up.
 
Welcome to the forum and thanks for asking our advice.

An alternative:

Keep the receipt. Buy some standard pressure rounds. Go to the range. Someday you will find someone who will trade you standard pressure rounds for your +ps. Having the receipt will help document that these are not handloads.

Good luck. Congrats.

Lost Sheep
 
Also don't dry fire that Rossi without snap caps. Broke the hammer on mine doing that.

Those +Ps could work as a carry load. See if you like the recoil and accuracy, then keep that box and use them only when you have to remember what they feel like. No more than 10 rounds a session.

100 rounds even all at once won't kill the gun. At least you realized the problem early on.
 
A few +P rounds won't hurt it, but I wouldn't make it a habit. Shoot a few and them save them for when you buy a .357. :)

You can't go wrong with S&W or Ruger.
 
technically it's the wife's gun, but i use our rossi as a glove compartment gun. i keep it loaded with .38+p, and practice using standard .38 target loads. . the wife doesnt like shooting the hot stuff anyway. i would practice w/ standard pressure mostly, maybe shoot hot stuff toward the end of your shooting session just to have a feel for it, then carry it w/ good .38+p hollowpoints for sd/hd. just my two cents.

oh and by the way, once you get hooked on guns/shooting( and we all know you will;)) upgrade to a smith or ruger like kreyzhorse said, you wont regret it!!
 
Anybody telling you to put rounds through a weapon that isn't rated for them is because they aren't the ones that have to stand behind it at the range.

Don't do it.

In fact if the range director or firing instructor catches it they should not let you shoot.
 
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