advice for 38 special

[Domingo]

I'm looking to get some 38 special rounds for HD/SD. I do want some light loads who makes, them. I tried some speer golddots 125grn. they were kind of snappy out of a S&W 637

[saugustine]

I like the Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special +P. But I was shooting them out of a much larger gun (Ruger GP100 6"). They also make it in the standard .38 Special load.


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[hermosabeach]

If you want a lighter load, look for 148 grain wad cutters.
They tend to be loaded a bit slower for accuracy.

If you shoot lead, pick up some lead removal wipes. Hopes and birch Casey make them as lead will lead the forcing come in the cylinder.

Some of the 158 grain semi wad cutter lead rounds and reloads are lighter as well.

Defensive ammo from a 1-2" barreled J frame can be snappy.

[hermosabeach]

http://ammoseek.com/ammo/38-special/-handgun-148grains-

[P5Ret]

Hornady makes a 38 special lite in the critical defense line. 90 gr round comes in a pink box. No not what your thinking, it is in support of Breast Cancer research. Pretty much anything defensive is going to be a bit snappy. Better grips can help some, if you just have the standard grips it came with, see if you can try out a pair of Hogue's.

[Bill Steele]

If you want a lighter load, look for 148 grain wad cutters.
They tend to be loaded a bit slower for accuracy.

If you shoot lead, pick up some lead removal wipes. Hopes and birch Casey make them as lead will lead the forcing come in the cylinder.

Some of the 158 grain semi wad cutter lead rounds and reloads are lighter as well.

Defensive ammo from a 1-2" barreled J frame can be snappy.

I agree. You want something in the 650-750fps range.

Federal, Winchester and Magtech all make 148gr LWC loads for 38Spl.

Here is a link to one retailer that carries some of them:

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/cheap-special-pistol-ammo-sale-online-discount-prices-c-10480_14658_14743_14907_14747.html

[bsg]

any defensive round coming from a S&W 637 is going to be "kind of snappy." your revolver is most likely wearing boot grips from the factory w/two (2) finger grooves. consider swapping out the grips for a set of combat grips instead. the additional third (3rd) finger groove of the combat grips will assist you in handling recoil.

[Mr. Beretta]

any defensive round coming from a S&W 637 is going to be "kind of snappy."

Exactly.

Like others have mention, to accomplish your goal you'll need to shoot a non + P round. The 148gr LWC suggestions are excellent.

Good Luck.

[Cunha]

You want the 135gr short barrel .38 special gold dot.

Any 135gr Speer .38 or .357 is a short barrel load fyi.

[Mickey D]

You want the 135gr short barrel .38 special gold dot.

Any 135gr Speer .38 or .357 is a short barrel load fyi.

The powder in the Speer short barrel loads is low flash.
Great rounds BTW.

[softmentor]

I recommend that you NOT use a light round for self/home defense. If you want a light load for target and practice, sure, but if you ever really have to shoot in self defense, you want to stop the threat. Use a good round that is intended for that purpose, full grain, hollow point defense round. It may be snappy but you won't mind if your life is threatened.

A quote from Frontsight's page on selecting a gun and ammo for self defense:

"What We Recommend for Home Defense Defensive Handgun
There are a couple of fundamental questions which need answering before we can recommend a proper “defensive handgun”. First, what is the purpose of the defensive handgun? At Front Sight, we believe the role of a defensive handgun is to stop a fight that someone else starts. Thus, a defensive handgun is not necessarily a competition gun, or a hunting gun, or a recreational plinking gun. Certainly, there are lots of overlapping characteristics in all those weapons. However, we are focused strictly on stopping the fight that someone else starts. "

" We recommend a full-size, semi-auto, ((my note, revolvers are fine too)) chambered in the largest caliber you can shoot well."

As long as you can control it, use the full self defense round for self defense situation. Use a light load for fun.

[liamettocs]

I agree with the wadcutter recommendations.

[QXSOUP]

Nyclad... if you can find them.

[TURNKEY13]

Nyclad... if you can find them.

I'll second that^^^^ ... Along with Winchester 110g silver tips. Again if you can find them. Both the 110g silver tip and the Nyclad were specifically developed for the 38sp snubby revolver.

[rm1911]

Maybe a dumb question, but I've always wondered about something like a 158 gr lswc for sd as a good option. It's a big hunk of lead and penetration wouldn't be an issue in softer tissue. Also, with slower velocities expansion of jhp's might be problematic so the flat front of the swc should serve a similar purpose. Always seemed to me that the lowly lswc is overlooked, as far as 38's go.

And of course lead poisoning