Lets talk snubbie/.38 BUG loads.

[ChrisO]

I carry a 642 like many as a BUG. I've been carrying it with 148gr lead wadcutters. However, a change in policy that states "back up duty firearms chambered in other than .40 caliber (our duty round)must be centerfire, minimum caliber of .380, and be carried with quality expanding hollow point ammunition approved by a range master."

I guess I'm old school in that I prefer wadcutters out of a snubbie... I'm pretty much out of 125 gr nyclads(my other preferred snubbie round). What's around these days that offers similar performance to the old nyclad without having the +p a**whoopin recoil that comes with it?

Obviously not a huge fan of the +p loadings in a S&W air weight. Not recoil sensitive really, just prefer easier follow ups as well as off hand controllability.

[Librarian]

Try Speer Gold Dot "short barrel" .38 Spl +P 135g gdhp

I don't find the recoil especially a problem for getting back on target.

[muzzle_flip]

Try Speer Gold Dot "short barrel" .38 Spl +P 135g gdhp

I don't find the recoil especially a problem for getting back on target.

135 grain +p (short barrel) gold dots are also my preference.

[ChrisO]

Short barrel? Anyone now the actual difference between these abd the regular gold dot +p's or is it just a marketing gimmick???

[ojisan]

Quicker burning powders and possibly more flash suppressant in the short barrel loads.

The Gold Dots mentioned above is a popular round.

[micro911]

Gold Dot 135 grain ammo is specifically designed for short barreled firearms. It is more reliable than other ammo as I was told.

That is what I have in my 2 inch revolver.

[sealocan]

ChrisO,
I think one of the problems with the short barrel handguns are they're going to have lower velocity compared to a full-length barrel, so they've designed a hollowpoint that will open up reliably under low velocity conditions.

Supposedly the powder they use is also "low flash" in case you're forced to use it at night which may be the case if it's a backup gun.

Take a look at these links, which include some data from FBI testing.

http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/detail.aspx?loadNo=23921

http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/short_brl.aspx

http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/bullet_tests.htm

The negative is it's going to be more expensive than other ammo but for a backup gun it's worth it.

I would trust this stuff over some of the other new gimmick style ammo from companies I've never heard of.

[Cokebottle]

Also the 135gr is heavier than the 125gr GDJHP.
Theory being that the heavier round accelerates more slowly, allowing for a more complete powder burn.
Perhaps not actually faster than the 125gr, but fast enough to carry more energy.

[CBR_rider]

I have been using Corbon DPX. If I switch to anything else it will probably be the aforementioned Speer Gold Dot 135gr

[P5Ret]

Right now I'm running non +P 110 Hornaday Critical Defense, in my Airweight. Review's seem pretty good for them. They are at least better than the Remmington 125 semi-jacked hollow point +P that I had to use when I used it as a BUG. I think someone must have got a real good deal on those way back when, since we never seemed to run out of those, even when we were still issued revolver's.

[1911su16b870]

Carried an Airweight 360PD for many years in 357, I hated qualifying with it due to the mad recoil. A 38 +P would have made it easier.

[gunner336]

Snubbies

Same here on the short barrel gold dot round. Easy handling in my model 49

[ChrisO]

I have some gold dots laying around, I'll have to check to see if they are the short barrel model. I like the critical duty/defense rounds but they seem to do poorly in denim failing to expand. As long as they get good penetration then I guess it's not much of an issue though.

[9mmepiphany]

The Speer 135gr Gold Dot was developed for a large department (they won't say who) to optimally perform in the 1.875" barrels of S&W J-frames.

I've shoot a couple of hundred rounds through my old 642 and thought the muzzle flip was less than other +P loadings...very accurate also

[ChrisO]

The Speer 135gr Gold Dot was developed for a large department (they won't say who) to optimally perform in the 1.875" barrels of S&W J-frames.

I've shoot a couple of hundred rounds through my old 642 and thought the muzzle flip was less than other +P loadings...very accurate also

Good to know. I have some gold dots laying around here loaded in speed strips but I can't seem to find the box lol. Not sure what exactly I have other than the fact they are gold dots. You'd think there would be a decent amount of good options out there, considering the .38 special is still a fairly popular carry gun and definitely a popular BUG.