My bedside handgun is a Model 19-7 4-inch round butt. Because my arthritic hands can't take a lot of recoil, I have lately been loading it with Speer Gold Dot 135-gr .38s. But the other day I happened on some Winchester 110-grain .357s for about half the price of the Speer. Shooting the two loads together, I found very little difference in recoil or 7-yard point of impact. So I'm wondering, will I gain anything by switching to the light .357s? I know my wallet would be happier.

If going with a .357 Magnum load in a house (I assume in low light?) you may wish to try the load in a low light, preferably enclosed area. The flash, as well as the muzzle blast can sometimes be spectacular? Remember, you won't have your ear muffs on at 02:00, fresh out of bed. Personally I'd choose something with a bit heavier bullet, BUT? I too have arthritis in my hands so I can sympathize with trying to stay with a load you can use long enough to practice with.
Good Luck!

I've never seen test results on the Winchester 110 gr. .357 load so I'd go with the devil I know, the Gold Dot except in Short Barrel .357 form. That would be a bit more powerful than the .38 +P, but it's still a "managed recoil" load. That or the 125 gr. Golden Sabre might work very well for you. Good luck.

I've shot both in low-VERY low light. The Speer 135gr. .38 load has virtually no flash, the WW 110 gr. .357 has LOTS of flash, at least as of 2 years or so ago. Spot and Flop both have good advice, as usual. The Speer Short Barrel .357 or the Rem. 125gr. Golden Saber both beat .38 ballistics by a significant margin, neither has much flash, and both recoil fairly softly. I have quite a bit of arthritis in my hands, and those are the loads I choose for lightweight .357s. In a 4" K-frame, both are pussycats. I've bought a fair amount of the Remington load at sale prices, but not lately.

I have Remington LSWCHP 'FBI loads' in my 637 for home defense. I'm 76 and can put five of them inside the 9 ring at ten yards, which is "good enough for government work". No arthritis in my hands, but five of those is plenty. Your present load would be my second choice for hall work.
Cordially, Jack

I'd be concerned about the poor penetration of the 110 grainers. If your arthritis is a problem, what about 158 grain +P 38 special, the FBI load.

I thank the gentleman (38/44) above, for the kind words! An FBI load 158 grain, Lead, Semi-Wad Cutter, Hollow Point, Plus P, (LSWCHP+P) is always an excellent fall back default load, especially in the fine weapon you have! In fact my Wife's Model 66 (Model 19, but in stainless steel) carries them as her night stand load. We both feel pretty good about it, and it doesn't beat either of us to death.

Any .357 has better kinetic energy at 50 yards than does any .38 special +P. That said, with proper shot placement at ten yards or less, either can be lethal, but the .357's will go through bone like it was butter.

I would not recommend the WW 110 grain 357 load for defense. As mentioned, the flash and muzzle blast is excessive. Also, it is likely not to penetrate enough. On a recent shooting day, my son shot his Ruger GP100 4" with the WW 110 gr., and found one of the bullets on the target, having penetrated the paper, then stopped on the thin plywood backing! I shot the ammo through my 340M&P 2", and while it does not kick badly, I didn't like the noise and flash.

I strongly recommend the Speer 135 grain 357 Short Barrel, if you want to go to 357. I shot a big copperhead with one the other night from my 340, and there was no unusual blast or flash to obscure my night vision. However, if you have the Speer 135 38+P, it is also a very viable defense round. I doubt that there's more than 150 fps difference between them, and the bullets are built to expand at the real world velocities.

quote:

Originally posted by SMore:
However, if you have the Speer 135 38+P, it is also a very viable defense round. I doubt that there's more than 150 fps difference between them, and the bullets are built to expand at the real world velocities.

Actually, depending on the gun and barrel length, the difference runs about 110-150fps. in my limited chrono testing, sometimes as much as 175fps. However, I think 110fps. is significant, and it is more often around the 150fps range.

Gimli,

here's a good source for your preferred Speer Gold Dot 135 gr .38 +p...price is for 50 round boxes...heck of a lot better than paying between $ 20 - $25 for 20 round box...even with shipping charges

http://www.streichers.com/ProductDetail.aspx?Catalog=Gu..._DHAND&Prod=CCI-38GD

I have been using a 'basement bargain' load also...Winchester Personal Defense 125 gr .38 spl +p sjhp...a good load, but I plan on switching over and placing an order very soon

gimli:

I agree with the others that the 110 grain load is not good for self-dense, for the same reasons that they give, plus, I have read that shooting model 19s with a bullet lighter than 158 grain can cause the forcing cone to crack.

Currently the preferred self-defense loads are Corbon DPX, Speer 135 grain Gold Dots, and the FBI load of 158 grain LSWCHP; whichever of those three that you shoot the most accurately would be the best choice.