s&w 38 special ctg 6" barrel

M

MyassumDragon

Inactive
Hello,
I have a s&w 38 special ctg 6" barrel, adjustable sights, s/n K219xxx, no model number that I can find......my question is ....can I use +p ammo in this?
Thanks,
 
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That serial number would indicate a production year of 1954, which is well past the point at which you need to be concerned (assuming it's not an alloy cylinder pre-Model 12, which is unlikely but worth checking).
 
My,
S&W has held pretty consistently to saying their older .38 Specials with a model number stamped on the frame (indicating no older than 1957) is good for +P.
Otherwise, your gun should be good for, at the very least, occasional use with +P.
And you know the CTG is a caliber, not a model.
Denis
 
Thanks

Thanks FlyFish for the response, how do I tell if it is the pre model 12? I searched everywhere and the only other markings I can find are at the left side of the frame/hinge once the cylinder is opened up......hard to see , but, has a Y on top then below that 39 12B (or may be 39 128) and then below that a 7......
 
Just use a magnet on the cylinder to see if it's steel or alloy. As I said, it's highly unlikely that you have an alloy cylinder .38 M&P Airweight (pre Model 12), but it only takes a second to check and be sure. (As DPris said, model numbering wasn't started until a few years after your gun was shipped, so you won't find a model number on it.)

I'll add that while it may be safe to shoot +p in the gun, it doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea. Unless you plan to use the gun for SD it's really not necessary (and maybe not even then). If you do plan to use it for that it would make more sense to do the bulk of your practice with standard pressure loads, fire a few +p loads so you know what to expect - which shouldn't be all that different - and then load the +p when you carry.
 
Don't waste your time with the magnet. If it has adjustable sights it's not a model 12 anyway. It's a pre-model 14 or K-38 Masterpiece.
 
s&w 38 special ctg 6" barrel, adjustable sights
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Sure sounds like a K38 Masterpiece target revolver to me.
+P ammunition is not going to blow it up and moderate use won't shake it loose. I would not plink with the heavy loads just to hear it go bang, though.
 
thanks

Thanks for all your responses......Basically going to shoot just 6 +p after 50 rounds of regular load at the range just to check accuracy and the different feel, otherwise will only use if I need to get someones attention :D
 
Let's be honest, +P is only 3000psi more pressure, maximum. Which is not a guarantee that any given +P load is loaded to that pressure. It's really not gonna make a difference either way.
 
Smith and Wesson would officially recommend not firing +P ammo. Their metallurgical changes went into effect in 1958 and SW then started using model numbers on their revolvers. I would shoot standard pressure .38 specials for target use and plinking. If you want to run a few rounds of +P through it and load +P for defense, there shouldn't be a problem.
 
Thanks FlyFish for the response, how do I tell if it is the pre model 12?
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In addition to the adj sights, the gun has a K prefix SN. That prefix was only for combat masterpieces, combat magnums and target masterpieces. These models would later become the 14/15, 17/18, 16, 48 and 19. Since the gun is a 6 in 38 special, there is a 98% chance it is a pre model 14 aka K-38 target masterpiece.

I'm also fairly sure that the model 12 was only offered as a 2in or a 4in gun.

Does it look like this bottom gun?

GEDC0080-2.jpg
 
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