Is 38 Special the same as 38 plus P?

In 1974, SAAMI adopted the use of the “+P” headstamp to denote a . 38 Special cartridge with increased pressures. Manufacturers had been loading increased pressure loads prior to this, but it wasn’t until 1974 that the +P headstamp and pressure limits became an industry standard for commercial ammunition.

Can you shoot 38 Special +P in a 357 Magnum?

No; . 357 Magnum was specifically designed so it cannot be fired from handguns chambered in . 38 Special, but you can shoot . 38 Special in a gun chambered in .

What is difference between 38 plus p and 357 Magnum?

As you can see from these paper ballistics comparisons, the 357 Magnum with a host of standard loads is considerably more powerful on paper than the 38 Special, even with a selection of +P loads. The 357 Magnum generally eclipses the 38+P loads by nearly double in terms of muzzle energy.

Is +P bad for your gun?

So Is +P Ammo Safe To Shoot yes, with some caveats. It is well within the tolerances of modern firearms and certainly within the pressure level created by proof loads which modern guns are tested with. Therefore, it’s “safe.”

Is 38 +p good for home defense?

38 Special cartridge, the revolver is a good home defense handgun. It takes a great deal of time, money, and training to be appreciably better armed with a handgun.

Is 38 +p good for self-defense?

Is 38 Special A Good Self Defense Round? The gist of . 38 Special is that it’s a medium bullet at medium velocity. It can be effective for personal defense but ammunition selection (and placement!) is important, especially if your gun has a shorter barrel length.

Can my 38 Special shoot +P?

Ammunition designated as . 38 +P loads have increased pressures—that’s what the +P stands for—over standard . 38 Special loads. These +P rounds may not, should not, cannot be fired in standard .

Can a 357 Magnum shoot 38 Special plus p?

No; . 357 Magnum was specifically designed so it cannot be fired from handguns chambered in . 38 Special, but you can shoot .

Do police use +P ammo?

In past decades, +P loads actually WERE necessary because standard pressure hollow points were found to not expand reliably when used by police. In particular, 9mm was notorious for it, but some hot loads – such as SuperVel’s and CorBon’s 115-grain +P and 115-grain +P+ JHP rounds – were found to work very reliably.

What effect does +P have on 38 Special?

As expected, no effect. Elmer Keith wrote in 1955 of shooting the 38/44 load which was far more powerful than +P (FAR MORE) through an alloy J frame Chief’s Special with no damage to the gun. I repeat… once again… any well made gun in 38 Special will handle all the +P you care to purchase for it.

How much does a 38 Special cost?

Able’s Federal .38 Special D/H 125 Federal Personal Defense Ammunition P38MA, 38 Special, Nyclad Hollow Point, 125 GR, 830 fps, 20 Rd/bx $19.14 20 $0.96 LIFE NRA MEMBER- Join a pro-gun group.

What is the PSI of 38 Special Ammo?

Standard .38 Special has a maximum pressure of 17,000 PSI, .38 +P is 20,000 PSI, and .357 Magnum is 35,000.

Is +P hotter than plain 38?

It’s tight and will shoot .38 all day long, but with +p it will occaisonally tie up the cylinder. Therefore, that gun never sees +p anymore, but it does suggest that +p is still hotter than plain .38.