Been thinking of paying the almost buck per round price of the 90 gr. FTX LITE (non-+P) for my LNB Model 37 3-inch. The round is advertised to produce 1200 fps and 288 ft. lbs. out of a 4" bbl.! Called Hornady and was told they stand by those numbers.

3-inch 37s in like new condition are hard to find and have inferior aluminum alloy frames (compared to current alloys). So, it's well known that a diet of+P ammo is too hot for old 37s.

Since the above numbers are very close to +P numbers, I'm wondering if anyone has heard about the effects of these 90 gr. rounds on old Airweight revolvers.

Haven't encountered anyone who knows much about, uses or recommends the FTX Lite; fairly or unfairly, the low grain is just a turn-off for most.

Lucky Gunner did the most recent tests in both 2" and 4" barrels and the 90gr under-penetrated and under-expanded from both.

I'd step up to standard pressure Hornady Critical Defense 110gr .38 Special -- it posts solid numbers in the gel tests and isn't too tough on the gun.

Alternately, consider a quality match 148gr full wadcutter; very easy on the revolver, and a decent defensive round provided you're getting at least 700fps.

Lastly, Hornady's numbers are likely accurate, but if I recall they use non-vented test barrels.

__________________
Pickpocket

For close range personal defense out of a .38 Special I urge you to consider this round from Buffalo Bore:

150 grain hard cast wadcutter at about 900 fps from your gun.

Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

Midway sells them for around three dollars a box less.

Rich

Hot loaded jacketed bullets are hard on alloy frames.
Any standard pressure lead bullet load will be much gentler.
Mine stays loaded with cast 160 gr. cast lead wadcutters , loaded to 800 fps.
Gary

Thanks, Hap. Now I'm intrigued; I thought I understood ballistics, but apparently not.

A 3-inch 37 (which is a vented bbl. of course) still should produce over 1100 fps with the 90 gr. FTX round. That's at least 242 ft. lbs. of energy and should make a 3-inch 37 a worthwhile carry piece--light, concealable and effective.

My understanding of ballistics is that at that velocity the 90 gr. round has to either expand well or penetrate well or both, unless it disintegrates. Did Lucky Gunner post pictures of the spent bullets?

Thanks, again, Hap.

Edit: Just noticed the other replies. Thanks, guys.

Back when I carried a 3" Model 36 I went in the opposite direction and fed it the WW 200 gr. LRN.

This is an interesting article about those:

The Rebirth of the 200-grain 38 Special Super Police Cartridge

I would have no qualms about carrying the Federal HST Micro 130gr +P. Would I bang out 100 of them in monthly range sessions? Of course not. I would practice with mild wadcutters. But if I had 5 or 6 shots from a .38 Special of any size, that would be my defensive load choice. Look up the LuckyGunner results for this round.

__________________
Psalm 27:2

JMO, heavier, slower lead WC, SWC or RNFP does not have to expand to be effective, and is easier on weapon and hand holding weapon (quicker follow up).

__________________
Certified Curmudgeon

I bought some of the Hornady Lite 38 SPL rounds to try out. Though not a scientific test, when I shot some along with some Winchester +P PDX1 130gr rounds I could barely notice a difference in recoil.

For pics of the fired rounds and gel tests results.

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revo...istics-test/8/

I would at least bump up to the Critical Defense 110 grain FTX. It did much better in his testing. And it's standard pressure. Probably not a ton of felt recoil with those. I've yet to carry and shoot those, but I think I might try them next.

Thanks, Rammer, for the Lucky Gunner link. It's an eye opener.

So much for Hornady's 1200 fps claim for the 90 gr. FTX out of a 4-inch bbl. As Hapworth pointed out, they must use a non-vented test bbl. Who knew a vented bbl. (revolver) produces so great a loss in velocity?

Nevertheless, both the 110 and 90 grain FTX rounds produce very acceptable numbers. It looks like everybody is right--between the two, the 110 gr. is the slightly better carry choice, with mild non-soft or SJ lead WCs for practice.