I have very little experiance with hand guns but should receive a S&W Model 10, .38 special this week and am wondering if anyone has a recomendation for which ammo might be best to use. It has a 4" barrel and will primarly be for my wife. Thanks in advance.

For WHAT USE?

1) What is the age or Serial Number? Use 3456XXX type format, not the whole exact SN. To calculate "+P ammo usage.
2) You might try 148grain FULL WADCUTTERS.
3) The firearm was most probably regulated to shoot 158 Grain weights to POINT OF AIM.
4) Hollow points for Self Defense.
5) 158 grain LEAD ROUND NOSE BULLETS worked for LEO'S for decades.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

Thanks, I don't have the gun yet, it should be delivered on Tuesday or Wednesday. It's used and I am not sure what it's age is. Will I be able to tell once I have the S/N?

For target shooting I enjoy a 148 grain wadcutter loaded with 3.1 grains of 231. Factory wadcutters are loaded mild. Easy on the gun, the shooter and the check book.

For self defense Buffalo bore makes a nice 158 grain lead HP. The Speer Gold Dot +P 135 grain is an excellent self defense round as well.

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The American dream is alive

Target Shooting: hand loaded 158 gr. RNL over 3.2 gr. Titegroup
Accurate, no leading, mild load.

Self Defense: Buffalo Bore +P 158 gr HEAVY LSWCHP-GC Very powerful and arguably the best .38 special self defense load.

MORE MANAGEABLE (for the wife) Self Defense: Buffalo Bore STANDARD VELOCITY NON +P 158 grain LSWCHP. Better than the "Big Three" ammo Co's +P loads!

Factory Plinking Loads: The least expensive 158 grain NON +P loads in either RNL or LSWC configuration.

Thanks Everybody. This helps a lot...

It's hard to find, but it has a great street record. Go online and search for it, or go to the Proarms website. They should have it. Mas Ayoob endorses this round highly. I shot this round last Saturday while out with my son and my dad. I fired it from a S&W that is just like the model 10 except it has an adjustable rear sight on it. I don't remember the model number. Anyways, your wife should be able to handle this round in your model 10. My dad's revolver also has a four inch bbl. Anyways, this round has an excellent street record in NY and LA. I shot it into milk containers/jugs filled with water. It was recovered in the third jug. It expanded to about .56 inch, and was a perfect looking expanded round. It's all I shoot out of my J Frame. Good luck with your choice.