re. lower recoil for 38 S&W AirWeigt

[ronstaug]

We renewed our concealed weapon permit a cpl of months ago & picked up a new Smith & Wesson 38 Airweight (this is a 1 7/8" snub nose). I am 73 & based on my recent target shooting @ a local indoor range, my accuracy is still above average. BTW, I have a Crimson Trace laser system on the gun. I have this revolver for self defense only & suspect if it's ever shot in an emergency, it would be relatively short range (7 yds, probably less). The AirWeight "can" handle +38 ammo but I've been told to limit using it or just go with the 38 special.

I have a touch of arthritis in my hands, the +P didn't work/it hurt my hands too much so I went to the traditional 38 special. I read a blog on this board some time ago recommending I try "Federal Premium Low Recoil 110 Grain Hydra Shock JHP".

I experimented today using the new "Low Recoil" just mentioned above & then went back to what I was using: 38 special 125 grain from Blazer (cheap ammo, but OK for target shooting). I couldn't tell any significant difference but was told to keep the Low Recoil (it's a hollow point) in the gun as it was more of a "knock down" bullet in short range. We don't live in
an apartment, so not concerned about bullets going thru walls & killing neighbors.

Any suggestions/opinions on this subject are welcome. I do plan to carry this gun (concealed) mainly when we're in some unsavory areas in nearby cities only. Thanks in advance.

[Hapworth]

Although it's +P, Speer Gold 135 grain Short Barrel .38 Special is felt by many shooters to be light kicking, and is among the best defensive rounds for a snubby. You might want to at least try it and see how it feels.

Alternately, Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain standard pressure .38 Special posts good numbers as a defensive round and is indeed light kicking (to my hand, anyway).

[ArchAngelCD]

I also shoot a very light Airweight and I agree, .38 Special +P ammo does sting a bit. I usually carry 135gr Speer Short Barrel .38 Special +P ammo but I practice a lot with standard pressure ammo I load.

If I were in your situation I would carry 125gr Federal Nyclad standard pressure ammo. It's a time tested and street proven round that produces a lot less felt recoil and the +P stuff on the market. I highly recommend using it. I have a very old S&W Model 36 and that's all I shoot from that revolver. Accuracy has been very good in all the revolvers I've shoot it from.

The Federal Premium 110gr low recoil ammo is rated @ 980 fps and will deliver 235 ft/lbs of energy to the target. The 125gr Nyclad ammo is rated @ 830 fps and will deliver 191 ft/lbs of energy to the target. It's possible the heavier bullet will generate less felt recoil because of the lower velocity but in either case, they will both do well in a SD situation. Nothing wrong with the Hydra-Shok bullet but i do like a heavier bullet in the .38 Special than a 110gr bullet.

[pff]

Another Nyclad user here.

One point sometimes overlooked is that the 125gr Nyclad does 830fps (or a little more) from a 2" barrel.

Other loads where the barrel isn't specified may do significantly less than advertised when used in snubs.


Regards,

Pat

[Lenny_D]

135+P Speer Short Barrel has another vote from me. I don't find it that bad on the hand. I shoot handloaded 125 gr. for practice and carry the store bought stuff. I have the same gun you have and the key to shooting a snubie well is practice,practice and practice.
Len

[Larry from Bend]

To me, standard pressure 158 grainers recoil more than light (110 or 125 grain) +P ammo. In fact, in my Model 38 or my Model 60, some old 148 grain wadcutter Blazers definitely recoil more than 135 grain +P Gold Dots.

I carry the 135 grain +P Short Barrel Gold Dots but I'd be just as happy with 158 grain lead HPs.

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I use W-W standard velocity Silvertips in "J" Frames.
BULLET PLACEMENT-BULLET PLACEMENT
FAST FOLLOWUP SHOTS!

[Stu Honea]

Like jimmy,my wife kept the 110gr, Silvertips in her Mod 37 for years.If I was going to pocket an airweight these days I'd personally just load it with wadcutters.Plenty of penetration,good tissue cutting,and low recoil.