Hi everyone, I'am gunshops, fairly new to the sight. I own and carry the 617ss2, love it. My question however, is about the m85. I saw one recently at a shop, the barrel was stamped 38 special only, but on the Taurus site it says it can shoot 38plus p. Can someone help with this? Thank you. Gunshops.
M85 question.
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The standard 38 special round operates at a pressure of 17,000 psi so those guns are built to handle that pressure. There is a technical standard called SAMMI that sets this pressure .
A 38 special +P is the same size round just more powerful. It normally operates at or just over 20,000 psi, because there is no industrial standard that defines the pressure of a +P 38 special.
A +P 38 special gun must me built stronger to handle the increased pressure, often these guns are built to handle about 22-23,000psi to insure they can handle whatever pressure the round is .
You can fire the low pressure 38 special round in a +P gun, it's plenty strong enough. But fire a the high pressure 38 special +P round in a standard 38 special gun, you may get lucky and your gun will just break or wear out quickly....If you're unlucky, it will EXPLODE in your hands. Taurus clearly labels the M85 38special ammo only, because I believe they want to reduce their liability. There website is there to sell firearms and is not always up to date. What does the instruction manual say?
A 38 special +P is the same size round just more powerful. It normally operates at or just over 20,000 psi, because there is no industrial standard that defines the pressure of a +P 38 special.
A +P 38 special gun must me built stronger to handle the increased pressure, often these guns are built to handle about 22-23,000psi to insure they can handle whatever pressure the round is .
You can fire the low pressure 38 special round in a +P gun, it's plenty strong enough. But fire a the high pressure 38 special +P round in a standard 38 special gun, you may get lucky and your gun will just break or wear out quickly....If you're unlucky, it will EXPLODE in your hands. Taurus clearly labels the M85 38special ammo only, because I believe they want to reduce their liability. There website is there to sell firearms and is not always up to date. What does the instruction manual say?
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The polys are +P..
What it says on the side is what you can shoot...
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My Model 85 is a stainless "concealed hammer" that I purchased new in 1993. As far as I know, the only model 85 that Taurus has produced that specifically stated .38 SPL only (no +P) is the 2007 Model 85 with the magnesium cylinder. This was a one year only model 85. Taurus also produced several other model 85s in 2007 (blued & stainless & ultra-lite titanium) that were stamped 38+P on the barrel.
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Current Taurus .38 Specials are all rated for +P.
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As others have said it all depends on the model/age of the revolver, the M85 is a decent size product family.
In my personal experience: My M85UL is rated at +P according to Taurus via verbal and the manual, but it just says ".38 spl" on the barrel.
That said, I have only shot a few +Ps out of it for fun. I shoot and carry standard pressure 158 grain rounds.
In my personal experience: My M85UL is rated at +P according to Taurus via verbal and the manual, but it just says ".38 spl" on the barrel.
That said, I have only shot a few +Ps out of it for fun. I shoot and carry standard pressure 158 grain rounds.
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I'm thinkin' the View was not +P rated. I bought my 85 Ultralite in 1996 BECAUSE it was one of the first alloy frame guns, lightweight, that was +P rated.
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Even if the view is +P rated (and I'm not saying it is or isn't), the shooter should ask themselves; are their hands +P rated for the view?!
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Yeah...ouch. I fired a hot .357 in a 12 ounce 340PD once....key word here is ONCE. The view is lighter and that grip does not look conducive to comfort with heavy loads in .38.
I fired a hot .357 in a 12 ounce 340PD once....key word here is ONCE. The view is lighter and that grip does not look conducive to comfort with heavy loads in .38.
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My older M85, circa 1989, is not rated for +P, however I would not be afraid to shoot the +P in it, just not a steady diet of it.
Personally, I think the +P is over rated for a short barreled wheel gun.
Personally, I think the +P is over rated for a short barreled wheel gun.
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I thought the View was 38 Spl only...I purchased a Non View ....and purchased some 110gr Horndy non +p just for my little gun....Even if the view is +P rated (and I'm not saying it is or isn't), the shooter should ask themselves; are their hands +P rated for the view?!
But I could never see putting +p through a 10 oz revolver ....
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