[5150]

I have a Model 637-2 (Chief's Special Airweight) that's rated for +P. I know someone who has an all-steel Model 36 that's not rated for +P. He was asking why the 637 (roughly 5 oz. lighter) would be rated for +P but not the 36. I'm guessing that it may be the composition or hardness of the steel used in the revolvers rated for it but I couldn't say for sure. I also know that occasional use of +P ammo is OK for the 36, just not a steady diet of it. Any ideas? Thanx.

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[5150]

You can shoot Plus P in both the 36 and the 637 in limited (key word limited) amounts with probably no problems. It would be easier on the guns and definitely easier on the hand. Practice with standard .38 ammo (if you can even find any nowadays) and at the end of the session run a cylinder or two thru it with Plus P. Load them up with Plus P for carry and your ready to go.

I don't use +P in my 637 so that's not even an issue. I guess my question was why is it not advisable to shoot +P in the 36 except in limited use. FWIW, the 36 dates to 1968. Your reply is the first time I have heard that limited use of +P also applies to the 637, even though the barrel shows "+P."

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[5150]

The Plus P rating was invented in 1971, so a gun from 68 could not claim to be plus P rated since that didn't exist yet. The catch is that max pressure for 38 special was reduced by SAMMI, and the Plus P rating was what the old max pressure was before it was lowered. In summery, the new plus p is the same as the older 38 special max pressure

So, can the higher pressure +P be used in a 36, even on a limited basis, or just treat it like the 637? I guess the easy way to settle this issue is to just use standard .38s in the 36. Why do I have a feeling I'm going around in circles on this? 😣

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[5150]

I just want to point out that 5150 originally requested to know if his gun could shoot +P ammo without problem. He didn't ask whether it was a good idea or if it conveyed some magic benefit that pedestrian standard pressure ammo doesn't, or whether it cost too much. Why does this always seem to devolve into a philosophical argument when the simple, accurate answer is "yes, you can shoot +P without damaging your gun?"

Almost. My gun is the 637 and is rated (labeled) for +P. But maybe I didn't pose the original question clearly. I was wondering if the newer metallurgy and/or engineering, for lack of better terms, allows the 637 and others like it to shoot the +P, whereas it is not recommended for older guns, at least on a high-volume basis. I'm referring to guns manufactured prior to the introduction of the +P rating, like the older Model 36 I was talking about.

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[5150]

Wiregrassguy: Well said. I was not implying to the OP that it is a written rule somewhere to shoot "limited" amounts of Plus P through either gun. It was just the procedure that I follow. Shoot all the Plus P's you want through that 637. Numerous amounts of Plus P ammo through either gun might cause no major problems whatsoever but they will eventually cause unwanted wear to the guns.

I don't shoot +P ammo thru my 637, I was just looking for some clarification on the subject.

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[5150]

5150 --> Did you get what you wanted?

I guess so. After sifting thru the replies I at least have a better understanding of the marketing side of the industry and all that SAMMY stuff.

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