Just picked up a model 649 (stainless steel 23 oz 357 Magnum) and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about best ammo for first time firing? I got some Speer 135 grain 38 SPL +P Short Barrel and was going to use that.

Why not start with plain .38 Special FMJ range ammunition? Even in an all steel J-frame I practice with range ammunition and then shoot some expensive, defensive stuff just to see the difference and feel the difference and to check point of aim. Then I stoke it, if I am carrying it, with the good stuff that I just practiced with but I'd never do a whole range session with the defensive ammunition. It's expensive and not necessary. YMMV.

***GRJ***

Thanks for your feedback. I have some 158 grain range ammo from the last time I rented a 637. Maybe I'll start with that and then switch over. The cost of the Speer rounds is definitely prohibitive, but I'm looking forward to seeing how they shoot. My wife will be shooting this weapon as well so I want to test rounds that she might be able to handle as well. May go with one of the 110 grain rounds for that.

Yes, start with a couple boxes of cheap plinking stuff; this gives you an opportunity to get to know your new 649 without watching a dollar bill go up in smoke every time you pull the trigger.

It's also a less expensive way to run a couple hundred rounds through the revolver and determine if it's in good mechanical order; often, a part that might fail because of defect can be discovered in this initial process -- not when your life's at stake.

Then, put a few cylinders worth of your chosen defense ammo through to get to know how it feels, and to make certain it's reliable and accurate in your revolver.

Speer Gold Dot SB 135 grain .38 Special +P is an excellent choice for self-defense ammo; you could stick with it and none other and be fine any time you're carrying, should you so choose. My experience of it is that it's surprisingly low recoil given its excellent performance capabilities; your wife may be fine with it and not need a lighter recoiling round. Try to find the Gold Dot SB in the 50 round Law Enforcement packs -- it's a deal compared to what you pay for the civilian 20 round packs.

If an easier shooting but good performing round is still needed, look at Hornady's Critical Defense line -- they offer 110 grain .38 in standard and +P, and a "lite" 95 grain offering. There are compromises here, but these are still good rounds.

Most importantly, enjoy.

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like a plan. I'm hoping the Speer works well. Heard a lot of good things about it. The 50 round box I bought are the Law Enforcement rounds so glad to hear you've had good luck with them. Been looking at the Hornady at 110 grain, but tests I've seen seem to be mixed. Guess I'll know more after the range today.

No offense but this is another one of those "I can't believe you are asking this question" questions. I have a suggestion, try some different types and see what shoots best in your gun.
Boy, that was a tough one.

Poor form, kid. Next time try remembering we're all at different stations along the way and offer some encouragement and help...

Definitely put some 158 GR. wadcutters on you list.

I did offer some encouragement and help. I suggested he buy, and try different types of ammo in his gun and see what shoots the best.

Incredulity at a question you deem remedial and sarcasm in answering it isn't encouragement or help.

PM me if you want to discuss further so we can stop hijacking this thread.

Back on topic...

OP: along with the usual plinking rounds like Remington and Winchester, suggest you try some harder primers like Fiocchi; it's a good way to make sure your firing pin will pop anything and everything.

First trip to the range was enlightening. Thanks again for everyone's suggestions. I am new at this so all info helps. Tried the 158 grain range rounds and the Speer. Both worked fine, but probably too much recoil for the wife. Two of the Speer rounds didn't fire! That was a surprise. Got a good initial feel for the gun and the different rounds. Think I'll try standard pressure next time and some 110 grain. Happy Thanksgiving all.

While not unheard of, it's exceptionally uncommon for Speer Gold Dots to have ignition issues. I'd try those two rounds in another revolver and see if they pop to help determine if the rounds are the issue or the 649; it's not a perfect test -- the primers might be too heavily dented for any revolver to ignite them -- but still worth trying.

Also, presume you know about hang fires, when the powder slow burns? It can seem like a dud but it isn't, so any time you pull the trigger and nothing happens, keep the barrel pointed down range for several seconds -- say, fifteen or so -- before doing anything else.

Back to your 649: a defense gun must have zero reliability issues; you need to run more rounds and ensure you can depend on it or if it has an issue to be resolved.

If the lighter Hornady Critical Defense rounds don't suit your wife, as a last ditch try any reputable maker's 148 grain wadcutter match ammo; they're about as cream puff as it gets in regards to recoil, but can serve as decent defense rounds.

Turned the rounds that didn't fire over to the range, but did try to fire them several times. All other rounds fired fine. Have never had a hang fire. Thanks for the reminder. Gun Show this weekend. May head down there and see what I can stock up on. Will definitely try the 148 grain Federal Wadcutters. As far as plinkers, was looking at the Winchester 130 grain FMJ White Box. They're pretty inexpensive and seem to be what a lot of folks are using for practice. I think I saw a couple of boxes of Nyclad at the shop where I picked up this 649. These rounds sound like the have an almost mystical reputation from what I've read online. Will stop back there and see if I can grab those as well. Anybody have any other suggestions?

Starting with a lower power/pressure round in a new gun is always a good idea.
I sure don't know why the brand name ammo didn't fire. I sure don't like it.
A while back I traded for a 649. I have fired thousands of 357s in K-L-N frames. Not that many in a J. I find it more than a little brisk. I have 38+P in mine right now.
If this is going to be your wife's gun, she needs to practice with a round that she is comfortable with.

__________________
NRA LIFE MEMBER

Brisk is a good term. We'll both be using this 649 so I'm trying to strike a happy medium. Two non-fires out of 50 rounds makes me a little concerned. Guess we'll see how the next outing goes. Hoping the parking and entrance fees at this Gun Show are worth reduced rates on ammo. Thanks for the feedback.

Just got back from the gun show and the gun shop where I picked up my 649. Was able to purchase a couple of boxes of Winchester 130 grain FMJ Target White Box & Hornady Critical Defense FTX 110 grain HP standard pressure. The gun shop had two boxes of Federal Premium 125 gr Nyclad HP 38 Special +P they had procured from someone a while back so I grabbed them as well. These are old rounds that I believe Federal discontinued quite a while ago from what I hear. They look to be in good shape. The nylon coating appears to be a unique configuration. Has anyone had any experience with these?

I believe nyclad is lead free.

I have an airweight snub and find the recoil feels less with a light and fast load rather than slower and heavier.

I tried some "low recoil" stuff, 110s I think. The pain you lose in recoil your get back in price.

__________________
>>ARMED LIBERAL>>

Not sure about what's under that blue nylon coating. Looking forward to trying them. The recoil could be an issue. Will try to determine how old they are. There's nothing on the Federal website, but there are number on the box that might lead to some answers. Anyway, for right now it will be the Winchesters to practice & the Federals & Hornadys for SD. Guess we'll see how the 649 handles them.

I'm arriving late on this thread, but is that 649 new or used? If used, I might have it checked out by a gunsmith. Those 2 dud rounds worry me too. If you continue to have ignition problems and you purchased the 649 new, I might send it back to S&W for warranty work.

In any case, I would stay away from the brand/style/bullet weight of the ammo that misfired.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

The rounds were Speer 135 Grain +P GDHP I ordered online from SGAmmo.com. The guy at the shop where I had this new 649-5 transferred from a shop in Rhode Island thought Speer was not good ammo yet I see a lot of people highly recommend it. I'll be trying the Winchester 130 grain FMJ Target White Box, Federal 125 grain +P Nyclad and Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain standard pressure FTX next time round. If I have any problems, I'll be calling S&W. I tend to think it isn't the gun, but we'll see. Thanks for your input.

CCI/Speer has a wide ranging ammo line, some top-tier, some plinking quality; any manufacture can have a bad day, but as far as the Gold Dot line goes it's as good as it gets from any maker. Keep the original packaging; if you become confident it was the ammo, contact Speer -- they will definitely want to know.

Just wanted to follow up after my second outing with this new 649-5. Thanks again to everyone who posted. It was all very helpful. Found the Winchester White Box 130 grain FMJ Target rounds great for practice. Think that will be the range practice round of choice. The Federal Premium 125 grain+P Nyclads had a bit of a kick and some flash, but were pretty accurate. Really nice groupings both with and without the hammer pulled. The Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain standard pressure FTX worked the best as far as low recoil, accuracy and low flash. Hornady looks like the best round for overall SD usage for the wife and I, at least of the four different rounds I've tested so far. No misfire problems whatsoever with any of these three different brands of ammo. I'll finish off that box of Speers next time to see if there are any further problems with them. Anyway, just wanted to post my findings. Any suggestions are always welcome.