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Old 08-31-2018, 06:04 AM
Fchewy Fchewy is offline
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Default Airweight Defense Rounds?

What are some good 38 special defense rounds in Standard pressure?
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Old 08-31-2018, 07:04 AM
Richard Simmons Richard Simmons is offline
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For standard pressure/non +P I'd probably look at 148gr. HBWC or 158gr. SWC.
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Old 08-31-2018, 07:50 AM
socrates007 socrates007 is offline
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I carry any of these three loads in my airweight snubs. They may not have the best expansion, but they have good penetration. I really like the wadcutters for my primary load, and then use either the 125gr or 158 gr Hornady's in a speed strip or speed loader. (Wadcutters are difficult to reload fast).

https://www.luckygunner.com/38spl-wi...ch-148gr-wc-50

38 Special Ammo - Hornady American Gunner 125gr JHP XTP - 25 Rounds

38 Special Defense Ammo For Sale - 158 gr JHP XTP Hornady Ammunition In Stock - 25 Rounds

I would test all three loads in your airweight, and see which point of aim/point of impact you like - depending on your sight picture (6 o'clock hold, combat hold, etc).
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Old 08-31-2018, 09:34 AM
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The tried and true 148 gr wadcutter target loads are a pleasure to shoot in an airweight and are remarkably effective sd rounds.

They aren’t sexy, don’t have a cool marketing name and don’t cost $1 a round.

They just work as well as the boutique ammo that will bruise your hand.
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Old 08-31-2018, 09:50 AM
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^^^^ What Rpg said Can't add much to that! ^^^^

Last edited by JH1951; 09-01-2018 at 06:13 AM.
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Old 08-31-2018, 11:40 AM
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When we did ammo testing a few years ago, Speer .135 grain Gold Dot is what my agency chose. It was the only .38 round we found that would reliably pass the FBI protocols out of a snubbie.
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Old 08-31-2018, 11:43 AM
David Stone David Stone is offline
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Buffalo Bore 158 gr. semi wad cutter, hollow point
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Old 08-31-2018, 11:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SRG View Post
When we did ammo testing a few years ago, Speer .135 grain Gold Dot is what my agency chose. It was the only .38 round we found that would reliably pass the FBI protocols out of a snubbie.

Plus P?

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Old 08-31-2018, 01:06 PM
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Quote:
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Plus P?

Best,
Rick
They don't make it in standard pressure any longer. So probably yeah. I think the only 3 that meet the FBI specs from a barrel 2" or less is the Cor bon 110 grain DPX all copper plus p load. The 135 grain Gold dot plus p. And now that new Federal HST.

I don't like plus p's in my airweight. I start anticipating bad after like 1 or 2 shots.

Well, I take that back, remington Golden Sabers are OK.. They feel the same to me as the American gunner. So I carry 125 grain Hornady American gunner in the gun. 4 rounds of Golden SAber in my coin pocket when wearing jeans. And 5 rounds of FMJ in my main pocket.

I am avoiding shooting lead cuz I don't want to deal with cleaning it out. Not sure if it'll foul my bore or not. However. If it weren't for that I would have no problem carrying wadcutters in the gun. I would trust them too and they're easy to shoot. Well, easier than some. The American Gunners actually feel almost like a soft plus p to me. So I'd almost RATHER carry wadcutters in the gun.
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Old 08-31-2018, 02:01 PM
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A 158 grain, Kieth design SWC hard cast with powder to standard pressures if you are handloading
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Old 08-31-2018, 02:24 PM
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Back in the day I used to carry a 3" HB model 36 with factory 200 grain RNL; I think they were W-W.

Low recoil and a serious thump on the target; too bad they are no longer available, but another possiblity if you handload.
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Old 08-31-2018, 05:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ABPOS View Post
...I am avoiding shooting lead cuz I don't want to deal with cleaning it out. Not sure if it'll foul my bore or not. However. If it weren't for that I would have no problem carrying wadcutters in the gun. I would trust them too and they're easy to shoot...
Having shot literally thousands of properly sized standard pressure cast lead bullets from .38s I can say leading is not an issue.

I would carry BB 150 wadcutters or a similar 148 in the gun with BB 158 semis or similar swc or rnfp as reloads. Levi did thoughtfully prove a cartridge pocket, at least for us rightys.
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Old 08-31-2018, 11:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TomkinsSP View Post
Having shot literally thousands of properly sized standard pressure cast lead bullets from .38s I can say leading is not an issue.
We fired thousands of rounds during training and qualifications and our duty rounds were factory, swaged, all lead SWC. Leading wasn't a problem at reasonable velocities. It seems that many of today's shooters have an aversion to anything that isn't jacketed.
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Old 09-01-2018, 12:15 AM
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I'd use a wadcutter. There are some standard pressure hollow points but don't expect much expansion. Ought to use a wadcutter IMHO.
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Old 09-01-2018, 12:39 AM
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With .38spl standard pressure I wouldn't even bother with JHP's in a snub-nose. I second the others who recommend the 148gr. wadcutters but they are not always so easy to find.

Failing that I don't see anything wrong with Winchester White Box or their "Train & Defend" line (both 130gr.) as their bullets have a true flatnose design which is better then a roundnose at causing tissue damage.

A "hardcast" flatnose bullet would be even more preferable but I would avoid anything made by Buffalo Bore even though they say it is "standard pressure" because they always load everything hot. You may have difficulty shooting them and/or they may cause harm to your gun depending on how old it is.

If you decide to load up with the wadcutters keep in mind that their flush fitting bullets make reloading difficult so you will want to carry something else for reloads like one of the ammo I mentioned above.

Last edited by GoodSam; 09-01-2018 at 12:40 AM.
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Old 09-01-2018, 01:09 AM
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Default Standard....

Standard Remington Golden Saber

Standard Federal HST 130 grain

Winchester 130 gr. Train and Defend

Personally, only for carry, I'd consider carrying +P ammo. A few shots in an S&W airweight isn't going to hurt it. Hopefully, you'd never have to shoot it.
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Old 09-08-2018, 02:36 PM
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i went from 158 semi wadcutters to the winchester 130 grain train n defend round . it is a standard pressure round and did well in the lucky gunner test. it is shooting about 2 inches low at 10 yards from my 85ul.
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Old 09-08-2018, 03:10 PM
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Hornady Critical defense is a good standard pressure 38 load.
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Old 09-08-2018, 04:16 PM
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OP: Please clarify why you're limiting your options to standard pressure; there can be several reasons for this that affect what rounds to recommend. Also, which Airweight are you using?

Overall, for standard pressure defense rounds Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain is the best option, and an excellent option in general.

Second (in every respect): any reputable ammunition manufacturer's 148 grain full wadcutter match load.

Third: nothing really, not in standard pressure. (I love Buffalo Bore products, but we all know what they call standard pressure ain't.)
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