.38 special bullets?

Question

i have a old 38 special revolver. i ran out of bullets so i went 2 big 5 and bought some remington .38 special +p bullets. i dont think the bullets that came with the gun were +p bullets. my old bullets on the bottom said "W-W 38 special" the new bullets say "R-P 38 SPL+p". also the new bullets are somewhat longer (the casing is the same size) but they still fit.

what is the difference? is it bad for my gun?? my 38 looks very old and heavy, it has a long barrel.

it is mainly 4 self defense and i dont plan 2 have it shot 100 more times or anything. i just need it 2 be able 2 stop some one when i shoot it.

the only thing it says on the gun is "For 38 special and U.S. Service CTG"

the bullets are remington 38 special+p, 125 grain, brass jacketed hollow points.

Answer 1

You don't say who manufactured your old .38 Special but I suspect it is NOT rated for +P ammo and using +P will damage it or destroy it.  It might also injure the shooter in the process.

Take it back and ask for non-plus-P defensive ammo.  A good round that is not +P is the Federal Personal Defense 110 grain Hydra Shok™ round.  Also good is the Winchester Silvertip™ or any defensive round from any of the major ammo makers:  Remington, Gold Dot, Cor Bon, etc.  Just tell the vendor that you have an older revolver that may not be rated for +P ammo and you need it for personal defense.

He should be able to fix you up.  I'd really try the Federal ammo.  It is what I use in my old Detective Special.

Good luck.

H

Answer 2

+p means extra power. your gun is probable not rated for the extra pressure of these rounds. sell this box of shells to a friend that can use them and get a box of .38 round not rated +p. the dealer should not take them back. there is a federal law against it. your pistol maybe big and heavy but the quality of the metal was not up to today's standards. be safe.

Answer 3

From what I have heard a .38 special +P has more grains of gunpowder in it than a regular .38 special. Now if you are using this gun for self defense and want to take down someone with one shot I would put .357 magnum bullets in the gun. They are much stronger and will fit in a .38 special.

Answer 4

I would not shoot them. Stick to 38 spec. only.

Mr. B better to be safe than be called stumpy....

Answer 5

Do not consider using the +P ammo in that gun! That gun was designed for a much lighter round; the 38 special. The pressures in th +P 38 special are too high for that old gun. As others have said it could damage the gun (or destroy it) and injure you badly.

As for the suggestion by a poster to use the .357 magnum round in a 38 special; they are wrong and NO police officer would recommend it! They made the casing longer in the 357 so it would not fit the 38 special to prevent people blowing up their gun.

Also that gun may not be safe to fire at all. Read this discussion on this forum; if your gun fits this description don’t fire it.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/arch...

You see that pistol could have been designed for the old 38 long colt that has far less power than a modern 38 special round.

I strongly suggest taking it to a gun smith and have him check to be sure its safe. Long ago there were clones made of Smith & Wesson firearms that were of soft steel and poor quality. If this is the case I would not shoot modern ammo out of it at all.