+P in a S&W 15-3

[calcot7]

Just wondering if it is OK to fire .38 Spl. +P on a regular basis in this firearm.

 

[thomjb]

I would not fire it on a regularly, as in most of the time. The K frame IMHO is marginal for continous use of +P. As you know the model 19, etc is a K frame and is a 357 but I always practiced mostly with 38 and carried 357.
Just my thoughts, YMMV
PS K frames and old K frames are one of my favorites

 

[Agent 007]

.

 

[one more]

The K frame is just fine for +P .38 special, all day long. Especially today's watered-down +P, which is in actuality what a standard .38 special is supposed to be. You can thank lawyers for that.

From another forum (a long read, but a good one regarding .38 +P):

Agent 007 very well put I will say
In the two older reloading handbooks, 1970 & 1973 I have, they have loads that will put 110 grain out the pipe at 1300 fps, 125 grain out at 1200 fps and 158 grain out at 1000+ fps with one at 1050 fps so?

one more

 

[one more]

A little more on this one

Hello everyone,

Also have a 1971 SIERRA Manual That has loads with 110 Grain bullets going out the pipe at 1250 fps (6 loads), 1300 fps (3 loads), 1350 fps (2 loads), 1400 fps (1 load); 125 grain at 1200 fps (3 loads), 1250 fps (2 loads); 150 grain at 1000 fps (7 loads), 1050 fps (4 loads), 1100 fps (3 loads), 1150 fps (1 load); 158 grain at 1000 fps (5 loads), 1050 fps (3 loads), 1100 fps (1 load)
Test Firearm was a Smith & Wesson K-38 with 6" barrel. A little more information for everyone to ponder.