I'm not able to find Speer 38 special + P Short Barrel ammo. No one has any availability. Are they still making it? If yes, why so difficult to find?
Would Federal 125 grain 38 special Nyclad be a good substitute?
Thanks

Try the 125/129 grain Federal Hydo shock HP in plus P. I am retired now but as a LEO I saw the effects of those at several scrime scenes. They worked well. Good penatration and expanded perfectly. Thats what I carry on my638.

I carry my 642 loaded with Nyclads. I think they're a good choice.

I have tried to find speer Gold Dot Hps 45s for reloading 45 acp. They aren't even listed in the catalog yet but speer has plans to do so according to their customer service. The ammo itself can be ordered. I have a CS45 and thought the SB bullet a good idea. However I agree with calapooia on the federal hydro shock. I use those in my 66-2 in 357. Awesome round from everything I have read or been told.

If yes, why so difficult to find?

Because so many people shoot the regular barrel stuff in their short barrels.

Speer LE 135gr +P 38 Spl GDHP can be purchased at G&R Tactical for $28.95 for a 50 round box. One of the best 38 spl rounds; I just received an order of this last week.

Speer LE 135gr +P 38spl from G&R Tactical

Good luck!!

My M&P 45c is loaded with Gold Dot 230 gr. HP's and they work great. I know a 4 inch barrell is not exactly short but I would rather be safe then sorry. My ranger t's are on the way to my house right now!!!

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M&P9fs

Thanks for the tip on G&R tactical! I just ordered 50.

Anyone know where I can find some of the 357 135gr short barrel. That is even harder to find than the .38 version.

Thanks,

Person

Ammunitiontogo.com has them. They sometimes have the 38 S&W Spcl. 135 +P in 50 round boxes also.

Ammunition To Go : 20rds - 357 Mag Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr. HP Ammo [23917] - $26.95

Awesome! Thanks

Thanks for the tip on G&R Tactical.Will be placing an order.

Technially those aren't the Short Barrel ammo, wonder what the exact difference is?

Those are the short barrel loads. Compare the product numbers. 53921 is 50-round boxes, 23921 is 20-round boxes. They're just not labeled as SB on the 50 round boxes.

Yes they are....

Speer labels them as "Short Barrel" because they "redesigned" the bullet to make the cavity larger for reliable expansion at reduced velocities out of the short barrels.

The only other difference is 10-grns. of weight.

On sale, $22.69, at Natchez: CCI Speer .357 Mag 135 gr Gold Dot HP Short Barrel Ammunition 20/box - Natchez Shooters Supplies

Well if they're 'different', doesn't that mean they're not the same? I'd guess the larger cavity in the Short Barrel ammo has something to do with the 10 gr difference.

Yes...exactly!
No...the Short Barrel load has the 135-gr. bullet and the Standard load (23720) has the 125-gr. The 135-grainer is a longer bullet. ~ Hope this clears things up.

Oh, so you were agreeing with me, I misunderstood, it was the other poster that said they were the same.According to Speer, the Short Barrel, #23720, (which is the same # as their personal protection ammo), is 125gr. So no, LOL, now I'm more confused, I need to do some more research. I mean if I can get the actual Short Barrel ammo much cheaper, then why not. The G&R Tactical shows the Speer LE ammo, it's 135gr, the description seems to say that it's designed for the snubbie, don't know if that's their description or Speer's.
Wow, now this is getting weird, I just went to Speer's site again, although this time it was Speer/ATK, went to the LE section and found the description used in the G&R site, it IS Speer's, found the Short Barrel ammo, BUT now it is listed at 135gr, #53921! Went to the specs for the LE Gold Dot ammo, #53720, 125gr. I put in a phone call to Speer earlier today, haven't heard back, just emailed 'em, see what they say.
Well according to the Speer/ATK LE site the #53921 that the G&R site is selling IS Short Barrel ammo, 135gr. I don't know how THAT differs from the#23720 125gr Short Barrel ammo on the Speer site, anyone?

Jamie,

This was your earlier post:

The ammo in the link you were referring to IS Short-Barrel ammo. You can read the product number on the box in the picture: 53921. It is the exact same as 23921, the non-LE 20-round box version; 5XXXX means 50-round boxes, 2XXXX means 20-round boxes.

The standard GDHP bullet weighs 125gr. The SB GDHP bullet weighs 135gr and uses a larger cavity with slightly thinner walls to improve expansion at lower velocities, such as when fired from a 2" barrel. This is why it's referred to as "Short-Barrel" ammo.

Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection: 23720 - 125-gr.

Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection: 23921 - 135-gr.

If you'll be buying for a snubbie, then I would definitely get the Short Barrel load. And I would snatch up that deal from G&R. For only about 5-bucks more, you're getting 30 more rounds!
I picked up a box of the 50-rnd. LE SB last year for only 4-bucks more than what I would've paid for the 20-rnd. box.

Yep, now that I got all that sorted out, ordered some for the wife, thanks for the help.

I wasn't planning on buying any right now, but can't pass up that deal! Many thanks.

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Fast is fine;accurate is final

I like that short barrel 38 ammo.