+p ammo through colt detective special?

Benjamin · 07-03-2009

I'm looking at a Colt Detective Special (38 special). Colt doesn't rate these guns for +p loads but I've heard people say that it's fine to shoot +p ammo in them. Does anyone know if it is harmful to fire +p in them and what are the risks to the gun, shooter, warranty, ect...

Manan · 07-03-2009

Colt has rated post 1972 Colt Detective Specials (38 specials) for a limited number of +P rounds total combined use. Usually somewhere between 1000 and 1500 cumulative rounds.

Might consider shooting mostly standard rounds and then just a few rounds of +P for practice and then +P ammo for carry. I carried a little DS for years and shot anything I wanted, but again mostly the cheaper 38 and then +P for carry.

Do you happen to know what the previous owner shot in it?

Benjamin · 07-03-2009

I don't know anything about what has previously been shot through it. It looks to be in outstanding condition and it has a nickle finish. I'm going to try to get serial numbers and see when it was made. Just going off looks my guess is that it has had very few rounds through it.

Drail · 07-04-2009

Well, a diet of +P rounds may not blow the gun but it will accelerate wear and you will gain almost nothing in terms of performance from a snub by doing this. If you need/want more power buy a bigger gun. There's no reason to abuse a nice Colt.

07-03-2009	#1 (permalink)
Benjamin Plinker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 107	+p ammo through colt detective special? I'm looking at a Colt Detective Special (38 special). Colt doesn't rate these guns for +p loads but I've heard people say that it's fine to shoot +p ammo in them. Does anyone know if it is harmful to fire +p in them and what are the risks to the gun, shooter, warranty, ect...

07-03-2009	#2 (permalink)
Manan Plinker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 161	Colt has rated post 1972 Colt Detective Specials (38 specials) for a limited number of +P rounds total combined use. Usually somewhere between 1000 and 1500 cumulative rounds. Might consider shooting mostly standard rounds and then just a few rounds of +P for practice and then +P ammo for carry. I carried a little DS for years and shot anything I wanted, but again mostly the cheaper 38 and then +P for carry. Do you happen to know what the previous owner shot in it? __________________

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07-03-2009	#3 (permalink)
Benjamin Plinker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 107	I don't know anything about what has previously been shot through it. It looks to be in outstanding condition and it has a nickle finish. I'm going to try to get serial numbers and see when it was made. Just going off looks my guess is that it has had very few rounds through it.

07-04-2009	#4 (permalink)
Drail Plinker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bloomington Posts: 166	Well, a diet of +P rounds may not blow the gun but it will accelerate wear and you will gain almost nothing in terms of performance from a snub by doing this. If you need/want more power buy a bigger gun. There's no reason to abuse a nice Colt.