Recommendation on 38spl defense loads...

[automan71]

What brand/weight load do you carry/use for your short barrel revolver? Looking for a good load to carry in my S&W 442.

 

[MOTOR51]

I carry Speer gold dot +p in my 642. Cannt recall the grain though

 

[Barry J]

I was told a long time ago that a hollow base wad cutter loaded backwards was a good defense load.

 

[Globallyoff]

Speer Gold Dot 135gr. +P in my 642

 

[leeshall]

Although a backwards loaded wad cutted would indeed be a nasty piece of work, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use anything other than factory loaded ammo for defense carry. In the civil trial that would always follow a self defense shooting, the other side would absolutely demonize you for concocting your own ammo. "What's the matter, factory ammo wasn't deadly enough? You had to make something worse to shoot my poor client." A uninformed Jury would eat this up and hang you out to dry. Doesn't matter if the District Attorney deems it a righteous shoot and not prosecute you, the bad guy and/or his family will come looking for a pay day. Nuff said.

 

[Barry J]

Although a backwards loaded wad cutted would indeed be a nasty piece of work, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use anything other than factory loaded ammo for defense carry. In the civil trial that would always follow a self defense shooting, the other side would absolutely demonize you for concocting your own ammo. "What's the matter, factory ammo wasn't deadly enough? You had to make something worse to shoot my poor client." A uninformed Jury would eat this up and hang you out to dry. Doesn't matter if the District Attorney deems it a righteous shoot and not prosecute you, the bad guy and/or his family will come looking for a pay day. Nuff said.

I agree totally. I only use factory for a carry gun. Never tried to load a backwards wadcutter, but think it would work.

 

[topgunz1]

I have some winchester +p, plain lead hollowpoints, think it was the FBI load they came up with back in the day. It's what was issued so it's what I have.

I'm sure LSP972 will be along shortly to set the record straight.

 

[Cochise]

I don't know whether or not your pistol is rated for +P, but mine is not, that is why I use Federal Nyclad rounds in it. NyClad's are good enough that police all over the country carried them for decades, and that is good enough for me.

 

[tmlowe]

I use the Speer Gold Dot in the 135 gr flavor IIRC. It is specifically made for short barrel revolvers

 

[Pale Horse]

The 442 is most definitely +p rated. I'd suggest the Hornady critical defense. That's some HOT stuff.

 

[Ben Segrest]

Although a backwards loaded wad cutted would indeed be a nasty piece of work, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use anything other than factory loaded ammo for defense carry. In the civil trial that would always follow a self defense shooting, the other side would absolutely demonize you for concocting your own ammo. "What's the matter, factory ammo wasn't deadly enough? You had to make something worse to shoot my poor client." A uninformed Jury would eat this up and hang you out to dry. Doesn't matter if the District Attorney deems it a righteous shoot and not prosecute you, the bad guy and/or his family will come looking for a pay day. Nuff said.

In Louisiana, it very much does matter.

 

[mahamoti]

I use the Speer Gold Dot in the 135 gr flavor IIRC. It is specifically made for short barrel revolvers

Have you found these in 50rd LEO packaging, instead of the overpriced 20rd boxes?

 

[rp85]

http://www.handloads.com/misc/stoppingpower.asp?Caliber=8

you can select std 38spl loads with this site.

have a 642 and 38spl +p just plain hurts. using fed. hydrashock in speed loaders for carry.

 

[Gus McCrae]

Although a backwards loaded wad cutted would indeed be a nasty piece of work, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use anything other than factory loaded ammo for defense carry. In the civil trial that would always follow a self defense shooting, the other side would absolutely demonize you for concocting your own ammo. "What's the matter, factory ammo wasn't deadly enough? You had to make something worse to shoot my poor client." A uninformed Jury would eat this up and hang you out to dry. Doesn't matter if the District Attorney deems it a righteous shoot and not prosecute you, the bad guy and/or his family will come looking for a pay day. Nuff said.

Know of a case where this has actually happened?

 

[rp85]

shot the s&w model 642 today with 125 grain lead bullets, 2.7 grain of red dot.

also went to wal-mart and got a cheap ($5) golf glove to wear when shooting the 642. glove made all the difference in the world.

the glove is just a suggestion when shooting very light handguns. takes a lot of the "sting" out.

rp