Omnishock .38 Special

[salish25]

Hello,

This past week I came across some old ammunition in my late fathers gear. It is a 6 shell plastic box of Omnishock .38 Special loads, which he bought in the late 1980's, I believe. I know about these from discussing them with him back then, and from what I can find on the internet now. At the time he was exploring the ideas of using these frangible loads in his Chiefs Special as a self defense load, as well as the other maker at the time (blue tipped bullet, can't recall the manufacturer). I think my dad eventually went back to his normal reloading of a 110gr JHP.

My question for forum members is this: were these Omnishock bullets actually well suited for a low recoil defense load, or were they a flash in the pan? And would they still be useable after more than 30 years. I currently use a 110gr JHP in my S&W j-frame airweight. If I'm practicing or plinking I typically use wadcutters.

Thanks.

[NYlakesider]

Originally Posted by salish25

Hello,

This past week I came across some old ammunition in my late fathers gear. It is a 6 shell plastic box of Omnishock .38 Special loads, which he bought in the late 1980's, I believe. I know about these from discussing them with him back then, and from what I can find on the internet now. At the time he was exploring the ideas of using these frangible loads in his Chiefs Special as a sec defense load, as well as the other maker at the time (blue tipped bullet, can't recall the manufacturer). I think my dad eventually went back to his normal reloading of a 110gr JHP.

My question for forum members is this: were these Omnishock bullets actually well suited for a power recoil defense load, or were they a flash in the pan? And would they still be useable after more than 30 years. I currently use a 110gr JHP in my S&W j-frame airweight. If I'm practicing or plinking I typically use wadcutters.

Thanks.

I will give you 1/2 your answer, bullets many decades older normally shoot fine.

[kraynky]

I wonder if they were a competitor of the Glaser Safety Slug? I still have a few of those in .380 from the 80's. They have a bluish plastic bulb in the center over a hollow point (I assume). I never shot anything but targets with the other ones, just to confirm that they function. Seems like they only cold in packs of maybe 12? Too many brain cells have died since then. (some of old age, some were killed)

[ContinentalOp]

I've never heard of Omnishock, but the blue-tipped frangible loads you referred to sound like Glaser Safety Slugs. The idea was that they would break up and release small shot, reducing the risk of overpenetration through people and walls. It sounds good in theory, but my understanding is that it doesn't work in the real world.

Nowadays, the prevailing idea is that penetration is important. Self defense rounds have to be able to penetrate deeply enough to reach vital organs, major blood vessels, nerves/central nervous system, etc. Frangible rounds lack this penetration capability.

For a low-recoil load, you're probably better off sticking with your 110gr JHP, though personally I prefer a little heavier bullet, 125gr or more, and would probably go with 148gr WC before going to a 110gr JHP.

Just my opinion.

[murphydog]

The internet search is your friend :

Omnishock Bullets - General Ammunition Discussion - International Ammunition Association Web Forum

[salish25]

Originally Posted by kraynky

I wonder if they were a competitor of the Glaser Safety Slug? I still have a few of those in .380 from the 80's. They have a bluish plastic bulb in the center over a hollow point (I assume). I never shot anything but targets with the other ones, just to confirm that they function. Seems like they only cold in packs of maybe 12? Too many brain cells have died since then. (some of old age, some were killed)

I think they were competitors during that time. I have some of these Glasers from his stash in .38 Spl & .357 mag. I've never shot one.

[salish25]

Originally Posted by ContinentalOp

I've never heard of Omnishock, but the blue-tipped frangible loads you referred to sound like Glaser Safety Slugs. The idea was that they would break up and release small shot, reducing the risk of overpenetration through people and walls. It sounds good in theory, but my understanding is that it doesn't work in the real world.

Nowadays, the prevailing idea is that penetration is important. Self defense rounds have to be able to penetrate deeply enough to reach vital organs, major blood vessels, nerves/central nervous system, etc. Frangible rounds lack this penetration capability.

For a low-recoil load, you're probably better off sticking with your 110gr JHP, though personally I prefer a little heavier bullet, 125gr or more, and would probably go with 148gr WC before going to a 110gr JHP.

Just my opinion.

Thanks, I'll definitely reflect on your thoughts. I appreciate it.

[salish25]

Originally Posted by murphydog

The internet search is your friend :

Omnishock Bullets - General Ammunition Discussion - International Ammunition Association Web Forum

Thank you for the link. I have already researched these bullets on the internet and have in fact read this link. I'm familiar with the Omnishock history, what I am curious about is how others currently regard this load as a low recoil j-frame
defensive load.