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January 5, 2013, 09:02 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: January 5, 2013
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New to Forum with Question
I am a Newbie on the forum and I am some what of a novice when it comes to firearms and all of the different calibers.
I have a S&W .38 special model 36 (Chief's Special snub nose revolver) the serial no. I found was inside the frame after opening the cylinder underneath where is says mod. 36 and the serial number is 5 digits with the first two being 57xxx. Here are my questions: 1. Does the 57 mean the year this revolver was made? I have been firing target load .38 special with this at the range several times with no issues and the other day I picked up some ammunition and when I got home I realized it was a little different, it is Remmington UMC 125 gr JHP .38 +P. Is it safe to shoot these rounds in my revolver? Thanks, John |
January 5, 2013, 09:33 PM | #2 |
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I can't address the SN, but...
it sounds like you have a early series revolver (when first released).
Have a mid-80's are and it have a couple of "alpha" characters in the SN, not just numbers. I would follow the use of "+P" ammo, as the S&W website recommends against usage. Recommend trying the 125 -135 gr standard pressure rounds thru the revolver. |
January 5, 2013, 10:10 PM | #3 |
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What is the number on the bottom of the grip, that is the true serial number, regardless, no, the S&W build date is not incorporated into the serial number. The number on the crane area is only a assembly number ( other than the model number 36 ) and means nothing to the average person, only to the assembly line.
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January 5, 2013, 10:39 PM | #4 |
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The number I gave was located on frame and visible when the cylinder is open. The Serial No. on the bottom of the grip is in this format.
7JXXXX with the last 4 being numbers. |
January 6, 2013, 06:25 PM | #5 |
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The number hidden by the crane, visible only after hinging open the cylinder, is an assembly number, not the gun's serial number - which is (as posted above) located on the bottom of the gripframe.
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January 6, 2013, 06:47 PM | #6 |
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You need give out more than the first two digits of the serial number to get and accurate date of production. J frame revolvers with the 7J prefix were produced between 1979 and 1981. It is hard to pin it down any further without more info.
For instance I have a model 29 that is serial numbered S200207 and I can pin the date it was produced to late 1959. |
January 6, 2013, 11:37 PM | #7 |
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The serial number on bottom of grip is 7J8XXX
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January 7, 2013, 12:26 AM | #8 |
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First, welcome to the forum!
If I were you, I wouldn't push +P rounds through your revolver. It may take them ok, but most of the older Mod36's were not designed for those pressures, so why chance it? I would instead, find a round(assuming that you want it for self protection),that is designed to perform well with short barreled revolvers. The older Smiths stated in the manual that + P was not to be used. Best regards. warwagon
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January 7, 2013, 12:55 AM | #9 |
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A late 70's early 80's model can handle +p ammo. While S&W recomends against it, it wont destroy the gun. Even in a gun that may be effected by them +P's would be used as carry ammo. I'd fire a few rounds every range session just for familiarization.
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January 8, 2013, 07:22 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
Last edited by highpower3006; January 8, 2013 at 07:31 AM. |
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