.38 special & .357 Mag ammo questions

DUKEofARMS · 01-02-2008, 04:53 AM

Hi,
I am new to shooting I just started going to the range and I am using my father's revolvers that he purchased around 1990.

The first one I have a question about is a S&W .38 special, model 60. I was wondering if anyone knows if it is okay to use .38+P and +P+ rated ammo with this gun? It only says S&W .38 Special on the barrel and I am not sure if the gun has to be rated +P also.

I also have a S&W .357 Mag model 65. I couldn't find this model on the S&W website but the .357's listed say they can also fire .38+P. Does this mean that my .357 Mag can fire .38+P rounds and what about .38+P+ rounds?

I appreciate any help as I am a newb and all these calibers can be confusing. So far shooting at the range has been great and I am just trying to find some good ammo.
Thanks

Powderman · 01-02-2008, 05:52 AM

For the Model 60, stick ONLY to .38 Special standard loads.

For the .357, you can shoot any .38 Special load from them, to include +P and +P+.

nathangdad · 01-02-2008, 08:39 AM

If it says .38 special stick to that cartridge to avoid damage to the gun and/or yourself.

A .357 magnum will handle .38 + P loads.

DUKEofARMS · 01-02-2008, 01:00 PM

Awesome. Thanks for the info.
Now off to the gun shop for some new ammo

two-70 · 01-02-2008, 01:28 PM

welcome to the site

Gordo1 · 01-06-2008, 01:37 PM

I have a 357 mag and shoot 38+p amo all the time.

Gordo1 · 01-15-2008, 04:57 PM

My two cents worth.
I have a Model 60, J frame, 2 1/8 inch barrel.
It is a 357mg.
the owners manual tells me I can shoot 357 mag and 38 special and 38+p.
When in doubt, refer to the owners manual (available on line).

TXplt · 01-23-2008, 11:01 PM

Call S&W with the specifics for an answer for your gun -- the early models in .38 were not +P rated (if it's a .357 all .38 rounds are OK). If not, I'd not shoot +P in them, but a few to check the zero and for defensive use would probably not break the gun. I have a 340 PD (.357), 642, and new model 40 -- all the new .38s are +P rated although there are those who would argue that +P has dubious value from a snubby. Here's a link to Buffalo Bore ammo -- they have a non +P high performance .38 round that might fit the bill for defensive use. Their +P .38 158 gr. LSWGC gives me good performance and accuracy in my guns.

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01-02-2008, 04:53 AM	#1
DUKEofARMS Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	.38 special & .357 Mag ammo questions Hi, I am new to shooting I just started going to the range and I am using my father's revolvers that he purchased around 1990. The first one I have a question about is a S&W .38 special, model 60. I was wondering if anyone knows if it is okay to use .38+P and +P+ rated ammo with this gun? It only says S&W .38 Special on the barrel and I am not sure if the gun has to be rated +P also. I also have a S&W .357 Mag model 65. I couldn't find this model on the S&W website but the .357's listed say they can also fire .38+P. Does this mean that my .357 Mag can fire .38+P rounds and what about .38+P+ rounds? I appreciate any help as I am a newb and all these calibers can be confusing. So far shooting at the range has been great and I am just trying to find some good ammo. Thanks

01-02-2008, 08:39 AM	#3
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3,224	Follow the gun chambering If it says .38 special stick to that cartridge to avoid damage to the gun and/or yourself. A .357 magnum will handle .38 + P loads.

01-02-2008, 01:28 PM	#5
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,783	welcome to the site __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

01-15-2008, 04:57 PM	#7
Gordo1 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 28	Model 60 38cal and 357 mag My two cents worth. I have a Model 60, J frame, 2 1/8 inch barrel. It is a 357mg. the owners manual tells me I can shoot 357 mag and 38 special and 38+p. When in doubt, refer to the owners manual (available on line).

01-02-2008, 05:52 AM	#2
Powderman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 160	For the Model 60, stick ONLY to .38 Special standard loads. For the .357, you can shoot any .38 Special load from them, to include +P and +P+.

01-02-2008, 01:00 PM	#4
DUKEofARMS Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	Awesome. Thanks for the info. Now off to the gun shop for some new ammo

01-06-2008, 01:37 PM	#6
Gordo1 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 28	I have a 357 mag and shoot 38+p amo all the time.

01-23-2008, 11:01 PM	#8
TXplt Conservative in Exile Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 3,274 Images: 4 Blog Entries: 2	Call S&W with the specifics for an answer for your gun -- the early models in .38 were not +P rated (if it's a .357 all .38 rounds are OK). If not, I'd not shoot +P in them, but a few to check the zero and for defensive use would probably not break the gun. I have a 340 PD (.357), 642, and new model 40 -- all the new .38s are +P rated although there are those who would argue that +P has dubious value from a snubby. Here's a link to Buffalo Bore ammo -- they have a non +P high performance .38 round that might fit the bill for defensive use. Their +P .38 158 gr. LSWGC gives me good performance and accuracy in my guns. Product Line Listing