Question;
Will this Colt Detective Special (1971 manufacture) be safe-strong enough for shooting 38 Special plus P ammo?
99% of it's diet will be 148 grain Target Wadcutters.
Thanks!
Virgil B.
There's no safety issue with an old Detective Special and +P ammo. The only issue relates to service life. You cut it a little short the more you make it digest the +P stuff. Carrying +P for defense, while practicing with non +P, is an excellent policy, and will be no problem at all. Keep in mind that the whole question (can my .38 handle +P?) only originated with the introduction of aluminum frames (and, believe it or not, cylinders) for lightweight .38 revolvers. With all-steel .38 Special revolvers, the question is not risk of detonation of your gun and injury (although, that is the risk with old aluminum lightweight revolvers, especially those with aluminum cylinders). It's merely how much you are shortening its service life.
PS The old Colt Aircrewman Special was almost entirely made of aluminum, i.e., both frame and cylinder. These would pose a very high risk of detonation with +P ammo.
