“FBI Loads” in S&W Heavy Duty 5 inch

[Hi-Speed]

I decided to chronograph Remington 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP and Federal 38 Spl +P 158 gr LSWCHP (38G) out of my newly acquired S&W Heavy Duty 5 inch revolver. Curious to see how they would perform out of a 38 Special only revolver with a longer barrel (5 inch):

Firearm: S&W Heavy Duty 5 inch 38 Special
Time: 0700, 29 Aug 2022
Elevation: Approx 4,500 ft
Humidity: Approx 45%
(10 Shot string)

Remington 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP
Hi 976 fps
Lo 916 fps
Avg 955 fps
ES 60
SD 16

Notes: modest gain in velocity likely due to shorter 38 Spl cylinder compared to my tests of this cartridge in Ruger 4 5/8 inch 357 Mag BH, and the slightly longer barrel length of the S&W HD (5 inch). ES and SD were in the ball park with my previous tests.

Federal 38 Spl +P 158 gr LSWCHP (38G)
Hi 947 fps
Lo 917 fps
Avg 931 fps
ES 30
SD 11

Notes: velocity improvement likely due to shorter cylinder, longer barrel. ES and SD pretty good and within approx range of previous “38G” tests.


Conclusion: I like the Remington load for its slightly greater velocity, but the Federal “38G” shoots more accurately for me. Both nice +P loads in the 5 inch S&W HD.

[Outpost75]

Would be useful to know what the barrel-cylinder gap is on your Heavy Duty.

Mine is pass .005" in which feeler gage inserted through frame window does not impede pulling trigger DA through a full revolution, whereas hold dimension is 0.006" where gage can be inserted through frame window, but binds cylinder from achieving a full revolution in.DA. This check is normally done with sized, decapped, empty brass in chambers to substitute for the "rear gage" 0.058" being "Go" on a .38/.357, No go being 0.065". End shake is the difference between two "hold" measurements made with and without the Go rear gage in place. Max being 0.002" on a new build after proof.

Max BCG when those guns were made in the 1950s was 0.008" pass and 0.009" hold. In customer service if pass reached 0.009", or " open front gage", abbreviated OFG on repair ticket, factory fix was to refit a "long" cylinder which was +0.005", which would bring gun back to min spec without having to set the barrel back.

[Hi-Speed]

Ed, if I can find my feeler gauge I will since I’m curious also. I recall buying one a few years ago to checkout my SP101, but can’t locate it now!