My daughter recently decided to purchase a S&W 642 38 special +P for herself.

I'm a semi auto shooter and haven't had a revolver in 25 years.

I will load some 125 gr JHP for practice but will want to get some factory ammunition for carry.

What is the current state of the art on +P loading for short barrel revolvers? And the tough question is where do you get it?

Safarihunter,
You've asked a question as old as time itself.
The real question is her level of shooting experience and recoil tolerance? If she's an experienced shooter and relatively bullet proof recoil wise, recommendations will be different than loads for those with little experience? Your in luck though! It's one of our favorite subjects to agree and disagree on! The one thing all will agree on is her astute selection of weapon. It's a classic for a reason! I'll reserve my favorite loads and why for later.

My favorite carry cartridge for the 442/642 is the 135gr Speer Short barrel .38.

For most practice, I load wadcutters (which I cast).

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Science plus Art

My 637 (the visible-hammer clone of the 642) is loaded with Remington +p 158gr LSWCHP, the best of the 'FBI loads' in my opinion. The Speer +p 135gr Gold Dot SB (for short barrel) would be my other choice. Check www.brassfetcher.com for ballistic jelatin results on both of these, fired (if memory serves) from 642s or derringers. And for her range loads, save money by getting 148gr DEWC (Double ended Wadcutters) from www.mastercast.net --they load either end down, which makes it easier. Load them fully in the case firmly crimped, on top of light powder loads. (I don't handload anymore, instead I get my rounds from Mastercast now) S&W Airweights like hers and mine are not pleasant to shoot. Fifty rounds is a real chore.

Cordially, Jack

+1 what OKFC05 said. Corbon 110 gr. +P DPX is just as good. It's a little better expander, but the extra weight of the Speer SB would, I would think, be an advantage against heavy bone. FWIW you can never go wrong with the FBI load (158 gr. +P LSWCHP by various manufacturers). I would recomend Buffalo Bore's offering, which has a gas check. They also offer the same bullet in standard pressure. The velocity is purported to be quite high for standard pressure .38 ammo. Federal has just reintroduced the standard pressure 125 gr. Nyclad if you decide a little less recoil would be better. In my case, my tiny wife isn't very recoil tolerant, so I load her gun with target wadcutters which also work well.

As far as availability goes, I'll leave that to others. I handload.

My daughter shoots my Hi Power 9mm without a problem, just not frequently.

She is not an experienced shooter but has experienced an epiphany since she graduated from college and gotten into the real working world and her own apartment.

She has found out that not everyone is a nice person and some are rather creepy. As a result she has decided to secure a concealed weapons permit and seek the training and guidance to carry/use (not from dad, I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole plus I'm not smart enough yet).

I will be loading mid range loads with Unique and 125 gr JHP for practice. She will have a LaserMax added to the pistol and I will regulate it with her defensive carry ammunition.

I would expect that rarely will she practice with her carry ammunition. I will load near that level on my own but don't want to make her gun shy.

My rationale is, practice a lot with a comfortable load so she becomes proficient and used to the firearm. When I hunt dangerous game, I practice with range loads and in the field with the premium loads. When the time comes, I don't notice any recoil at all.

I used the "FBI" load. 158 SWHP. With that load it shoots pretty much to point of aim @ 10 yards, which is what I usually practice at. It has a long successful street record.

Best

Bob

I'd say get her a 20 pack of +P S/D loadings running from 125-130 grain at the light end. Up to and including +P 158 grain on the heavy end. And see which she tolerates best? The short barrel Speer Gold Dots are well thought of. As too are the Remington LSWCHP+P. There are a few in between the two as well. I run a +P 158 LWSWCHP G/C @ 1000 FPS in my 342. In my Wifes 342 a standard pressure 150 grain hard lead full wad cutter. As you already know well, any of them will "work" when truly delivered!

I personally like Winchester 158 gr LSWC +P's... nice POI/POA agreement, plenty hot, and supposedly a well qualified round for fleshy targets. I don't have a problem controlling the gun with this load, but I do have a high hold on the LG-405 CT's, which are pretty soft on the hands compared to the stock hard plastic ones....

Where to get them? Hmmmm.... when you find out, let me know I've got a few boxes left for practice and defense, but should probably think about ordering more with the current $^1# storm.

safarihunter,
Your daughter sounds like an intelligent, responsible young lady. Her level of responsibility and wisdom is far too uncommon in young folks these days IMO. You should be proud of her.

To answer your question, I would recommend the 110 Cor-Bon DPX, the 135 Speer Gold Dot, and likely the Winchester PDX-1 130 Bonded jhp. The issue with the .38 out of a short barrel has been expansion with inadequate penetration, or acceptable penetration with inadequate expansion. The above rounds appear to have the necessary balance and are the newest, and best, rounds for snubs. The DPX has slightly less recoil but as you correctly stated she will not notice the difference during a self defense encounter. These rounds are cleaner shooting than lead rounds as well and it's imperative her carry weapon be well maintained as fouling, especially under the extractor star, will cause the weapon to malfunction.

You may have difficulty finding the ammo you want due to current market conditions. I would strongly recommend the above rounds if at all possible, but others may have to suffice. The 158 Lead Hollow Point (preferably Remington) would be next on my list, then the Remington 125 sjhp,then it's pretty much a **** shoot. But some ammo is better than no ammo.

Lastly, make sure she knows she will likely need to fire more than one round to end the encounter. Good luck!

I reload my own using a 110 gold dot with a 38+P but I have found Federal makes a great 38Spl. 110 grn hollowpoint defensive load. They come 20 to a box and are about a buck a round, but my 13 year old daughter enjoys shooting them out of my 642 once or twice a month since they come in a 38 Spl. compared to a +P.

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You'll shoot your eye out kid

+1 for the Federal .38sp low recoil standard pressure hollow point round even though they are a little pricey. Some will say penetration and expansion questionable but great for snubby airweights.

I carried the Speer 125 grain GDHP+P in my 442. It was easier to find than the 135 grain short barrel version; the ballistics chart for both rounds is virtually the same. I have carried the 158 grain SWCHP+P from both Federal and Winchester, and would carry either if I could not find the Gold Dots.

You may want to take flop-shank's advise on the standard pressure Federal Nyclad ammo. It would be easier on the handgun as well as the handgunner. But if you want reliable +P defense loads, I would consider the Winchester PDX1, Speer Gold Dot SB, or Remington 158gr LSWCHP's. A well placed shot from any of these loads will most likely deter the creepiest of creeps.