Are +P rounds necessary for snubbies?

[hermosabeach]

and the FBI is looking to switch to the 9MM realizing shot placement matters and caliber... as long as major... does not matter nearly as much....


With a 5 shot, I would use what you shoot best.... If you can hit dead center at 25 yards with X load, I would use that....

[JagerDog]

Yeah I've heard of that variety and seen good performance reviews in video tests with ballistic gel.

The problem is, like all +P rounds, it's not recommended by the manufacturer for use in the gun. S&W advises against +P rounds because it will shorten the life of your gun with prolonged use.

So I was wondering if anyone has had good results with any particular standard-pressure .38 Special loads out of a <2" barrel snub nose.

Why is "prolonged use" part of your criteria for defensive ammo in a snubbie?

[JagerDog]

Practice with standard loads, carry with +P if the gun is rated for it. Comparisons of Speer Gold Dot short barrel to Gold Dot +P shows they are nearly identical, with maybe a slight tweak of the split lines on the projectile.

If my gun is rated for +P, there is no way I am carrying it with anything less. If it is rated for 357, I am carrying it with 357.

Flash or discomfort in my palm, or wear on my frame, is 100% inconsequential when the time comes I need to use a snub nose revolver to save my life. At that point, the chips are already way, way down.

So you may go your whole life without ever firing a +P from your snub, and that would be a good thing. But if your gun is rated for it, carry it loaded with them, no question.

^^^^this.