Hello
I bought a ss 5 shot bodyguard model S & W revolver in the 1990s. I recall reading somewhere that more powerful ammo like the +P or .357 magnum won't make a difference because of the short 2" barrel. That is the muzzle velocity will be the same in either case so no advantage is gained from the hotter loads? Is this true?

Thanks
John

Yes it will make recoil and blast unpleasant. I would not use them in a J frame, what is more important than the +P is good ammo tailored for short barrels. I would look at standard premium loads, Speer GD 135 grain, Hornady Critical Defense etc.

Thanks for the quick reply, now I know what to do

John

I use the Buffalo Bore loads optimized for short bbls. They work quite well and will serve as good CCW rounds. Dave

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Time Wounds All Heels

The only Buffalo Bore I have seen are 158 gr. at Cabelas. they are the +P type. Is this what you are referring to?

Go to the Buffalo Bore website on the Net. They have a large variety of handgun loads, not all sold by Cabelas. Dave

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Time Wounds All Heels

For myself, I have had good luck with the Speer GoldDot 135-gr for short-barrels. Just my opinion.....

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GA Carry member
Vietnam Vet

It's not that it makes no difference, it just makes less difference. It's the same issue with short barrel .357's. You don't get the velocity out of a 2.5 that you do a 4 inch or even better a longer barrel but you still get more FPS with a .357 out of 2.5 inches than you do a .38 +P can hope to get. Bullet build comes more into play than maxing out velocity. A thinner jacket with a softer lead core will expand at the reduced velocity. That's why Gold dots and Golden Sabers are made the way they are. The Nyclads are also good soft lead swaged bullets that will expand at lower speed. Low speed bullets need very soft lead to bloom. That's all there is to it until you go high tech with Pow'R Ball or Critical Defense. Which really isn't all that high tech but the price says it is.

No, it is not true. However, a more powerful load usually gives more muzzle blast, and always gives at least a little more recoil. Also, +P is a little harder on light guns, usually not enough to be concerned about.

Your choice. Myself, I carry standard 158gr loads in my J frames, +P 158gr loads in my 2" K frames.

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Formerly Model520Fan

Never Again

John
Ramat Yishay, Israel

I like the Federal 125 Gr. Nyclad for my older Model 38 & my Colt Cobra. I use the Buffalo Bore 158 +P in my newer J's and have learned to handle to additional recoil. Just my two cents here . . .

I've played with both standard velocity and +P 158 grain ammunition over the chronograph and +P makes a small but meaningful difference. It also makes a small but meaningful difference in perceived recoil.

Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P 158 grain ammunition makes a really big difference, no matter what barrel length is used. It is one of the very few factory loads out there that really is all it is cracked up to be.

He was responding to my signature, לעולם לא עוד , which is Hebrew for "Never again." Some, including me, would interpret that as a pro-Second-Amendment slogan. Then, I presume, he threw in his location to explain his catching the Hebrew.

I actually borrowed the Hebrew characters from another poster on this board! I guess neither one of us considered the slogan itself as being particularly controversial, especially on a gun-related board.

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Formerly Model520Fan

Model520Fan,
Thank you for the translation; I learn something new everyday... welcome to you, john1951.

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"Life is short, hunt hard"

You will see a velocity difference, even with the shorter barrel. Regarding Buffalo Bore ammo, be aware that the standard pressure rounds still kick like a mule in the smaller guns.

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Centennial Every Day