At age 61 my wife of 40 years has decided to start shooting handguns. She has shot everything I have from custom 1911's and STI double stacks to my J,K and N frame revolvers. She has settled on a 60-10 to call her own. She has enrolled in the next available course offered by our local law enforcement agency.

My question is: What ammo would be best for her for self defense use.
Although her gun will handle 357 loads I think it would make more sense to come up with a 38 load due to recoil. I'm sure most of you know from the model number but the 60-10 is a 3" J frame with adjustable sights.

I would appreciate any advice you can offer.

P.S Anyone know where I can replace MY 60-10.

I think you'll be pretty happy with most of the name brand .38+P Specials with bullets from 125 to 140 grain. Cor-Bon is excellent but so are many of the others. Some here like the special short barrel ammo but, what ever groups best from her gun should be find.

Might luck out and find a 60-4.Same 3" SS adj.sights in 38 Spec.

The 38 will do anything you want, everyone wants the 357 and a lady at that age needs control when she is scared and don't need anything more cutting down (recoil) on what she hits. One well placed 38 is better than six 357's hitting on the wall around the subject. Just my two cents, I carry 38's all the time myself.

In 38+P
Any of the "majors" stuff above 125 grains.
My preference is for heavier (150-160).
With that barrel length your options are a bit wider. Or if you want to just settle on one and forget it? The 135 Gold Dot Speer seems to be the load of choice. The short barrel version might offer just an ever so slight advantage?
(EDIT)
Sorry, forgot to mention that either you, she, or both of you selected a wonderful little gun!

In most real life shooting situations, recoil and noise is not experienced. The reason is, the massive adrenalin dump in our bodies.

Speer ( and perhaps others ) make a brand of ammo using Gold Dot bullets with low flash & recoil powders, engineered for short barreled guns, both revolver and semi-autos.

What would you carry? Why not encourage her to carry the most effective ammo available for self defense? Practice with the cheap stuff, but carry the best.

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Retired Police, Life NRA

Standard pressure Buffalo Bore ammunition. Either the 158 grain SWC-HP or the 150 grain Hard Cast Wadcutter.

Gold Dot 135 +P Short Barrel or 125 Nyclads. The Nyclads are pleasant to shoot and pretty much hit where 130 FMJs hit.

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Dom

+1 on the 135 Gr. Gold Dots.

My wife carries a 640 and she likes the Gold Dot 135 +P .38's as well as the +P 125Gr. .38's.
She's a bit recoil shy...

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Arkdweller

My short answer to .38 ammo questions includes;

135gr Gold Dot

DPX

158gr LSWCHP, I prefer the Remington loadings due to the softer bullet

If you really need lower recoil the new Hornady non+p FTX loading tests well.

I thank y'all for the advice. I now have some information to go with when I buy her ammo. We will start down the list and shoot until we find what works for her and the gun.

This situation has made me glad and sad at the same time. glad because I now have a new range partner and sad because the increasing crime rate has caused her to feel the need to carry a handgun in her purse.

Thanks again Guys

Another + for the 135 gr Gold Dots. They open up remarkably when tested on road a kill deer carcass.

Noah

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