[corgicolt]

Can I safely shoot .38 spl +P ammo in a Metropolitan MK III?

 

[smkummer]

yes

 

[DWalt]

Only if you don't mind paying more for marginally improved performance over standard velocity ammunition.

 

[corgicolt]

I ask because I have 2 boxes of +P on the shelf and wanted to try them. I also have a few boxes of standard load. Thanks. I just don't want to cause damage to the gun unnecessarily.

 

[DWalt]

They won't damage your revolver. Their performance is about what standard .38 Special loads were before SAAMI peak pressure standards were lowered about 40 years ago. Many people are concerned (needlessly) about the safety of +P loads in their guns, but except for some of the very old .38 Specialls made prior to WWI, before heat treating was used, there won't be any problems.

 

[corgicolt]

That is very good to know. Thanks.

 

[mafd2]

+P all day long. It's a sleeper...

 

[mafd2]

And if it were a Trooper MKIII, magnums all day as well

 

[corgicolt]

+P all day long. It's a sleeper...

What's the sleeper? The Metro or the +P? And why do say that about the Metropolitan?

 

[ussmanlovede36]

I wouldn't shoot 38 spl+p all the time. standard 38's cause less wear.

 

[Lawman67]

The Metro was a politically correct version of the 357 for depts. that wanted to avoid Magnum Mania hysteria. It was a 38 spl chambered Lawman with a Metropolitan rollmark. For civilians it didn't make much sense to buy the heavy barrel Metro instead of the Lawman ,and for those wanting a lighter revolver ,the standard barrel 38 Official Police was available. The name didn't help either. I would have called it the Colt New Police and I bet that would have made it a better seller . Not many were made ,but they are interesting variants ,bank vault strong and will handle plus p all day. With Buffalo Bore plus p 158 lhp ,you will get a 357 level of power. 158 at just under 1200 fps out of that 4 inch tube.

 

[Quinn]

Actually, IMHO, the Metropolitan Mk III is a sleeper. I finally found one, well used, for my Mk III collection. The production was really low as most wanted the Lawman version that shot 357. Do you ever see one on Gunbroker or other auction sites? I even had one knowledgeable Colt collector tell me that there were no Metropolitans marked MK III. Enjoy your Metro, it is a fine gun. I understand they were made for PDs that only allowed officers to carry 38 Specials.

 

[mafd2]

I wouldn't shoot 38 spl+p all the time. standard 38's cause less wear.

Trust me, the +P's won't cause wear on the J frame. The MKIII was one of the sturdiest revolvers ever made. The Trooper MKIII can digest a steady diet of magnums and the Metro is basically the same gun chambered for .38 special (as Lawman67 states why). Shoot on brother.