I have both Geco and S&B 158 gr FMJ 38 Spec. ammo. Both are not marked as +P but both feel and kick harder than the American made ammo. The Geco is noticeably the hottest feeling. Has anyone chrono'd either one of these loads ? How do they compare to the standard American load ? Would either be safe to fire in a non +P firearm ? -Thanks

Geco is generally HOT.  I had some .38. My little 442 felt & sounding like a hand cannon shooting that ammo.  I traded it.

Probably not +p but at the top of the CIP/SAAMI range.

My coworker hasn't got around to chronoing the rounds I gave him, so in the mean time I emailed Geco and asked about the 158 gr 38 Spec. being +P at 968 fps. and the test barrel length. Here's the reply I got :

Hello Mr. XXXX,

thank you for your interest in our products.

Our GECO .38Spec. cartridges are loaded to the standard CIP regulations.

The muzzle velocity is measured with a 6 inch /150mm CIP test barrel.

We hope this information fits your needs.

With best regards

Stefan Rumpler
Technical Service

RUAG Ammotec GmbH
Kronacher Straße 63
90765 Fürth/Germany

Tel: +49 911 7930-137
Fax: +49 911 7930-282
E-Mail: [email protected]
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Keep in mind that CIP (European) pressure standards are quite a bit different than SAAMI (USA) pressure standards for .38 Special. If you're not aware, European standard pressure marked .38 Special may possibly result in American +P or even greater pressure.

This is the correct answer.   CIP does not differentiate between +P and standard in the .38 special.  (+P is purely a SAAMI thing)   CIP adopted this standard in 1984.

CIP max pressure is 1500 BAR = 21,756 PSI.


SAAMI max pressure has changed over the years since it used to be measured in CUP which only sort-of corresponds to PSI as measured with a piezo.