.38+P safe in .357Magnum?

LICCW · December 29, 2005, 10:53 PM

In the manual to my S&W .357 it says you may also use .38 and .38+P. I bought some .38+P 158 grain Black Hills ammo, but before I use it, I just wanted to confirm its definitely OK. Thanks.

Majic · December 29, 2005, 10:58 PM

The .38 spl in +P or non +P form is perfectly safe in any .357 magnum revolver. The .357 magnum cartridge is the most powerful of the 3 so the the 2 weaker cartridges won't harm anything. Truth be told more .38 spl cartridges are fired in .357 magnum revolvers than the .357 magnum cartridges.

LICCW · December 29, 2005, 11:03 PM

Thanks Magic. I'm not made of money, so I don't want to do anything stupid with my S&W to wear it out prematurely.

USMARINE2118 · December 29, 2005, 11:06 PM

There is no problem in using +p, actually it kind of nice using the .38's when target shooting with the 357 its a little cheaper , but remember you cant use 357 rnd in a 38 pistol , so have fun an fire away

jrklaus · December 30, 2005, 12:22 AM

Frequently, shooting .38 Special standard or +P in a .357 Magnum revolver may leave a small deposit ring in the chambers of the cylinder, but nothing that a thorough cleaning won't cure.

December 29, 2005, 10:53 PM	#1
LICCW Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2005 Posts: 266	.38+P safe in .357Magnum? In the manual to my S&W .357 it says you may also use .38 and .38+P. I bought some .38+P 158 grain Black Hills ammo, but before I use it, I just wanted to confirm its definitely OK. Thanks.

December 29, 2005, 11:06 PM	#4
USMARINE2118 Member Join Date: December 15, 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 59	There is no problem in using +p, actually it kind of nice using the .38's when target shooting with the 357 its a little cheaper , but remember you cant use 357 rnd in a 38 pistol , so have fun an fire away __________________ "It is preferable not to travel with a dead man". Henri Michaux

December 29, 2005, 10:58 PM	#2
Majic Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2004 Posts: 3,888	The .38 spl in +P or non +P form is perfectly safe in any .357 magnum revolver. The .357 magnum cartridge is the most powerful of the 3 so the the 2 weaker cartridges won't harm anything. Truth be told more .38 spl cartridges are fired in .357 magnum revolvers than the .357 magnum cartridges.

December 29, 2005, 11:03 PM	#3
LICCW Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2005 Posts: 266	Thanks Magic. I'm not made of money, so I don't want to do anything stupid with my S&W to wear it out prematurely.

December 30, 2005, 12:22 AM	#5
jrklaus Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 520	Frequently, shooting .38 Special standard or +P in a .357 Magnum revolver may leave a small deposit ring in the chambers of the cylinder, but nothing that a thorough cleaning won't cure.