+P In a Smith & Wesson Model 36??

F

FLGunner80

Inactive
I am picking up a Smith & Wesson Model 36 steel frame revolver. The dealer told me that +P ammo was OK in it. Can anybody give me a definitive answer. I dont want a kB on the range. S# AWB2520 if someone can determine a date.

Anthony
 
If your speaking of the S&W M36 Chief Special revolver, I recall the instructor at the S&W revolver armorer's course that I attended back when ('85), saying that occasional use was okay but using +P ammo on a regular basis would cause the frame to streatch and eventually cause misfires and that the condition could not be corrected.

They showed a M36 that had digested a steady diet of +P 110 gr. JHP's. I seem to recall they were a special government contract load. The frame was way out of spec according to them and made for an interesting paper weight. :)
 
Some light shed

Thanks Jim. I figured that would be the case...what do you think is a good personal defense ammo that isn't as hot as +P. Do you favor a NyClad from Federal??

Anthony
 
Great Gun - Congrats!

Partial to standard pressure in 148 gr Target Wadcutters , 158 gr LSWC, or 158 gr LSWC - HP. These tend to shoot POA/POI. Quick accurate hits more important to me than "thumpy patterns".

148 gr has a sharp front to cut and less prone to deflect off bone while penentrating.
 
"..3.3 grains of Unique under a 148gr lead wadcutter. Good defense load."

Yup. You got that right.

If you just have to use +p's i'ld limit it to 2 or 3 cylinders full per range session.

The 36 is a neat little gun. I have one made back in the mid 50's.Congrats.
 
I carried a M36 or M60 2" on and off thru my years in LE until semi-autos became the thing.

The M36 or M60 made for a real nice ankle holster gun on (backup) or off-duty.

Our issue ammo was the Win. 158 gr. LSWCHP (W38SPD), the FBI load as it was known. It was accurate, controllable in the little gun and the lead bullet could be counted upon to expand some even out of the short bbl.

We used 3-D re-manufactured .38 Spl. 158 gr. LSWC for quals so my M36 or M60 or others, and there were quite a few, did not take a beating from the +P load.

I understand this old Win. load is hard to find today. The ones that I have left are so old that I would not trust them for carry purposes.

If available today, this would be my choice for a carry load in a .38 Spl.
 
Thanks Guys

I decided to go with the Federal Hydro Shok Hollow points non +P, I'll feel safer about firearm functionality. I will send pictures when i pick it up wednesday. I called S&W and read them the serial and they gave me a production date of April 1987 so not too old in the scheme of things. All in all I think I made the right decision. My other choice was a used Kimber Compact aluminum .45 (1911). Not too much larger than the .38 surprisingly enough. What do you guys think on my choice. Thanks again.

Anthony
 
Plus P+

Remember most of your defence is at 6 - 10 feet,Why would you need big
heavy long range loads ? you just need a stopper , not something to GO
clear through target ( perp ) You want something to expend Its energy IN not
through ( perp ).

Be of good cheer :)
 
My little guns get a couple of cylinder fulls of 158 gr LHP business loads per year. Practice with standard speed. I doubt that will wear them out. If it does, I will replace them; they are tools not jewels.

I am not interested in fine calculations of penetration and stopping power, I want to hit the enemy as hard as I can with the weapon available. I got caught up in the self defense wadcutter fad several years ago until I saw how anemic the load really was, flat front and square corner notwithstanding. Reason I haven't gone titanium, those little guns kick so hard with +P that I would not shoot them well or practice enough to feel confident.
 
The 158 gr. advantage

More likely a comparison is the .380 autos to the M36, than a small 40. The 40 round outclasses the smaller rounds, but I would see how it handles in a mini gun before buying! The 38 has a wider range of bullet options than the .380. And I don't think I ever have to worry about my 60 or 640 going bang or jamming. Probably don't have to prove each load with a boxful to be confident of how it shoots. THey recommend a large testfire expenditure of a chosen load with the autos, for self defense reliability. With the rev., if one cylinder full plays OK, I figure any more rounds fired are just for checking groups, not worrying about future malfunctions! These small guns work great with Uncle Mikes boot grips or some other rubber grips, and the 158gr. hollowpoint. I don't know about the Winchester load that the other post said was hard to find, but any gunshow sells the Win. X38SPD plus P LHP which may be the current version of what he mentions. And it groups right on top of the front sights at 15 yds. with my guns. Well centered, if not a tight target wadcutter group!
 
I can tell you that when I called S&W Customer Service (1-800-331-0852)
...the answer was NO.

Of course, you must factor in S&W's "lawyer factor"!!

I think you were smart staying away from the P+ ammo. It's not a real beefy gun and if you plan to shoot it alot, the "regular" loads make more sense to me.

Good luck! Enjoy your 36!!

Bob
 
I have a model 60 in 38 spl, and another model 60 in .357 magnum. I practice w/ 38, even in the .357 gun and try to shoot very little hot 357 loads in it. The .357 doesn't look much beefier than the older .38 spl gun. I carry magnum loads in the .357 when it is used for defense, however that is not what I usually practice with.
 
Although it doesn't apply to your M36, but the last few years of the M36 was built on the new J Magnum frame and were factory rated for +P loads.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top