Just wondering what everyone's experience has been that has tried the low recoil self-defense 38 special ammo. Can you tell much of a difference. I am trying to find something that my wife feels comfortable and confident with. I know Hornady makes a 38 special LITE load. Any comments or recommendations would be really appreciated.

Thanks

Paper Maker

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Use old fashioned 148 gr wc target ammo.

Cheaper than the fancy stuff, your wife will love shooting it and it works fine for sd if she can hit what she's shooting at.

With this standard target load, she'll easily develop the necessary skill.

Hornady has Critical Defense rounds in 110gr and 110gr +p, both of which have at least a little more power than their 90 grain "lite" rounds.

In the 642 (or 340 for that matter) I like the Hornady Lite. A .38 special isn't going to stop a grizzly bear, but accurate hits on a 2 legged predator are what you are looking for. The more you shoot the little guns the better off you are and a heavy recoil is not conducive to a lot of practice.

I carry Speer Gold Dot 135-grain +P Short Barrel in my J-Frame. BUT this is not comfortable ammo to shoot lots of it at the range.

Precision Delta 148-grain HBWC is very mild... this is a target load for target revolvers... other companies make this load too. But I have been shooting it in my J-Frame for practice and fun. It is probably the lowest recoiling ammo you will find.

HBWC = Hollow Base Wad Cutter
"Cuts" a nice round clean hole in the paper target.


https://precisiondelta.com/index.php...eval-pack.html

https://precisiondelta.com/index.php...mmunition.html

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John

I had the 642 and never took to the gun. Didn't enjoy shooting it, wasn't accurate, so I sold it. Not saying it's a bad gun, just didn't work for me. Found a 432PD in 32H&R Magnum and love that little six shot.

I like Federal 125gr Nyclad for a lower-recoiling snub load. I don't know what its availability is, though.

If I were looking for a lower-recoiling snub load and couldn't find any Nyclad ammo I'd take a look at Winchester's Defend load. I believe it's a standard pressure 130gr JHP and it seems to give decent performance in gel.

The 130 grain FMJ Remington-UMC, Magtech and Winchester USA "White Box" loads are very low recoil. Do your wife a big favor though and get the full-sized Pachmayr Gripper or Hogue Rubber Monogrip (not the hard nylon) grips and not the Bantams.. They'll make a bigger difference in shooting comfort than anything else.

Another option for familiarization is the Speer Plastic Ammo. You buy plastic cases, plastic bullets and magnum large pistol primers and assemble your own rounds. No powder is used, The only tool you need is a pin punch or nail to poke out the spent primer. A piece of carpet will stop the bullet and a box underneath saves them for reuse. Hearing protection is still a good idea. Midway USA usually has them. It's not a substitute for live ammo training , but it's a good way to initiate a novice. They can be used indoors with good ventilation. Priners contain a bit of lead.

Best Regards,
ADP3

I will parrot a few recommendations. target loads and full size rubber grips (that fit her hand that is). there is only so much you can do with an air weight ccw revolver in .38spl.

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Try a set of Delta grips they made my 442 comfortable to shoot even with serious 170 grain cast loads.

Magtech makes what they call a .38 Special Short. Basically, it's a .38 Special case cut down to the length of a 9mm. Our LGS keeps tons of these as women with 38 snubbies seem to love them. When my wife bought her LCR last year she also picked up a few boxes of these. Very mild recoil out of the LCR and made an S&W 586 feel more like a 22 rimfire. Since then she's now moved on to standard 38 Special loads.

We only have the one store here that even knows about them. Everyone else tries to sell you 38 S&W Shorts which will not fit in a 38 Special. The Magtech number is 38G. Here's a link to it:

Magtech Ammunition :: View Product

I looked up some "Cowboy loads" for you hoping they might be
a low recoil loading but with a 158 lead they start out at 800 fps.
That is more than the 755 standard target loads, so that idea fell through the floor.

The above post and the 148gr seem to be the lightest for recoil
in factory ammo so far, that I can find in the "Target ammo" class.

Now that is interesting. I just ordered a box for my 340PD. Which J-frame are you shooting, so I have perspective on the weight of your gun, and are you using 3-finger or 2-finger grips? I hope to have it monday to try out and chrono. If it was appropriate, I planned to load a similar round for practice.

The problem with the 38 special is.........................

some times you need more than one shot to stop the threat.

If the first shot hurts your hand or is not manageable.....
the second shot might miss the aiming point or center mass.
If the second shot misses, do you have time for a third shot ?

For the recoil shy or people with handicaps ....
the light 148gr and 158gr wad cutter target loads is the best
load that will get the job done with two shots if placed right.

A 90gr lite might not open up on 4G test even though it looks great on plain gel but still only 10" of penetration. What if it hits a bone?

Hope you find a load that the wife likes..........

The 135 +P short barrel is a real handful in any lightweight J-frame, LCR or equivalent.

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Vietnam, 72-73