Can I fire .38 +P through a .38 Special marked Speed Six?

[Pale Horse]

I assume that it is fine but I thought I would check and make sure it is okay. I can fire .38 +P through a Speed Six marked .38 Special correct? the SP101 manual says it is okay to do in SP101s marked .38 Special but the Six series manuals make no mention of +P ammo.

Thanks.

 

[roaddog28]

Shoot all the +Ps you can afford. They will not hurt a Speed Six.

 

[Snake45]

Shoot all the +Ps you can afford. They will not hurt a Speed Six.

What he said. You'll wear out the guts long before you stress the gun in any way with .38 +Ps.

 

[Geezer]

Heck, you can even put a .357 Magnum cylinder in it and shoot Magnums in your .38 Special Speed Six.

 

[Pale Horse]

Thanks guys, that is pretty much what I thought. Right after I wrote this I called Ruger too and they told me it was fine. So I went a but a box of Gold Dot .38 +P through it. Man what a sweet shooter.

 

[FergusonTO35]

There has probably never been a better gun than the Speed Six for shooting the .38 +P!!

 

[Muley Gil]

The only difference between a .38 special Six series revolver and a .357 chambered one is the shorter chambers. Some police departments and security companies forbid their officers from carrying magnum revolvers, hence the .38s.

 

[Uncle Howie]

In a related question, how long has +P ammo been around?

Is it possible that it wasn't being loaded 30 years ago, when that gun might have been built?

 

[Snake45]

There has probably never been a better gun than the Speed Six for shooting the .38 +P!!

Unless it's the Smith K-frame. :wink:

 

[Snake45]

In a related question, how long has +P ammo been around?

Is it possible that it wasn't being loaded 30 years ago, when that gun might have been built?

Sometime in the '70s (+P ammo appeared).

I know "hot" .38 ammo was available as early as, say, 1974, but I can't swear that it was called "+P" yet then, though. :?

 

[FergusonTO35]

I love the Smith K too, however I think the Six series is a better gun in nearly every respect. There was the old .38-44, a very hot .38 Special loading of the 1930's intended for use in the S&W N-frame. The .38-44 led directly to the .357 Magnum cartridge.

 

[Glupy]

There has probably never been a better gun than the Speed Six for shooting the .38 +P!!

Actually, I would venture that "There has probably never been a better gun than the Speed Six."

Dave