The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: Paniolo on January 17, 2010, 06:35:44 PM
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Hey all,
I have a 2-in S&W 642 in 38 special. Actually, it's marked "38 spl ctgs" on the right side of the barrel.
No where on the gun (it didn't have a box when I bought it) does it mention if it can handle +p loads.
What's the best way to tell?
Cheers,
/dan
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try this link it is directly from s&w's website:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=760510&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=
if its the same gun u should be okay for +p according to the website but if u want to make sure take it to a qualified gunsmith to check it out first as it sounds like u bought it used.
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if it does not say +p, its not rated for +p. it really is that simple.
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Go to www.smithwesson.com (http://www.smithwesson.com) and sent a message to their customer service. They will tell you everything about that gun that you want to know. They will also send you a new book if you ask.
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if it does not say +p, its not rated for +p. it really is that simple.
Well, not exactly,....The Taurus Catalog has on pg 12 a highlighted section that states all CIA and Ultra-Lite pistols are tested to +P specifications.
Even though my M85 does not have +P stamped on it. I even called Taurus CS and they said +P were fine.
Always good to hear it from the source. When in doubt, that's what the 1-800 number is for....
Taurus does put a small disclaimer for +P+ rounds but I don't want to shoot those anyway, I'll just go to the safe and get a larger caliber.
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FQ raised the same question last week and the answer was that FOR CARRY purposes any modern S&W revolver WILL handle +P loads but you just don't want to use them all the time as they will cause the gun to wear out faster.
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Well, not exactly,....The Taurus Catalog has on pg 12 a highlighted section that states all CIA and Ultra-Lite pistols are tested to +P specifications.
Even though my M85 does not have +P stamped on it. I even called Taurus CS and they said +P were fine.
Always good to hear it from the source. When in doubt, that's what the 1-800 number is for....
Taurus does put a small disclaimer for +P+ rounds but I don't want to shoot those anyway, I'll just go to the safe and get a larger caliber.
that does not mean it will handle lots of +P loads. metal fatigue can be a real issue with guns. more so for carry guns as they are often not made of steal or are made with very little "exrta meat" on them.
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Thanks guys.
Given the lack of consensus, and consequences of getting it wrong, it would seem the prudent to stick to regular old 38 till I find out for sure.
Looks like I have an email to write to the kind folks at S&W. They _should_ be able to identify when the gun was made, and whether it ever supported +p pressures. If it aint - it's probably time for a new carry piece anyway :-) Maybe one of those nightguards...
/dan
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As technology has evolved and made ammo better; sure +P at it's higher pressures will cause more "wear and tear" on any pistol. The good news is, for SD carry, +P is fine. For the range, standard ammo is more than adequate. I would even state that standard pressure JHP's in .38 would suffice for a carry or a home defense SD round.
An email to S&W will clear any of your very rational concerns danmjones. Welcome to to DRTV, glad your here.
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Thanks guys.
Given the lack of consensus, and consequences of getting it wrong, it would seem the prudent to stick to regular old 38 till I find out for sure.
Looks like I have an email to write to the kind folks at S&W. They _should_ be able to identify when the gun was made, and whether it ever supported +p pressures. If it aint - it's probably time for a new carry piece anyway :-) Maybe one of those nightguards...
/dan
The man is smarter than the average newbie ;) Welcome! Let us know what you find out, jump on over to the new member intro thread http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=19.0 (http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=19.0), and hang out awhile.
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YOU OWE ME danmjones, I just went through 19 (I HATE that you can't capitalize numbers ) pages of FQ's posts to find this link for you.
If you've read many of the threads you know what I mean ;D
http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=10584.msg138417#msg138417
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OK - I owe you ;) I suppose if I had joined the forum a few weeks earlier (or wasn't too lazy to search it myself) I would have seen that post, too ;D
Anyway - thanks a bunch. I still haven't seen a response from S&W - if/when I do I'll post it FWIW.
/dan
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Great . Thing about searching is a lot of times if you don't hit on JUST the right words you won't find it.
But some one will probably remember seeing it ;D
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19 (I HATE that you can't capitalize numbers )
You can't capitalize numbers like 19?
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Not by hitting the SHIFT key.
Smart aleck ;D
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The only person that likes a smart ass is a donkey trainer.
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Hey all, I have a 2-in S&W 642 in 38 special. Actually, it's marked "38 spl ctgs" on the right side of the barrel.
No where on the gun (it didn't have a box when I bought it) does it mention if it can handle +p loads.
What's the best way to tell?
Dan, keep it simple. Call Smith & Wesson.
By Email: qa@smith-wesson.com
By Telephone:
1-800-331-0852 (USA)
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-8:00PM Eastern Time
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UPDATE:
I finally got in touch with S&W. They verified by serial number that my model 642 hails from 1992. They did not weigh in on the relative safety of +P loads, but mentioned that they did not rate that model as +p until 1996.
Sooooo - I guess I'll be checking out some regular 38 HP loads
Thanks to all for the help & comments.
/dan
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FWIW, the old Federal "Chief's Special" load is back in production. Standard pressure 125 HP "Nyclad";product # P38M.
This was apparently one of the best of the standards.
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Should have asked them what pressures they "proof" their guns to.
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Mine say .38SPL S&W +P on the left side of the barrel.
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the 642s are very safe with +P 38 special ammo..that's what is in mine right now.