^^^^much good advice above. Bunch of savvy "J-hounds" here! I second the use of standard velocity service ammo in this gun. Some mfgrs produce this load with a SWC bullet: I would recommend this. For some reason, these "earlier-gen" aluminum frame guns (Models 37, 38, 42) recoil like the dickens for me, and I am accustomed to the modern J-frame .357s with magnum ammo.

Try to obtain another J-frame pocket gun; your first may be down for service or repair and you will need another in the interim. IMHO, LCP II is not in the same class. These guns are the last you should ever sell, as they can always be with you unobtrusively in a pocket. For a pocket rig, you can start with the UM/Blackhawk size 3 or 4 ($10 at WM) and move on to something else later. These rigs "fit my pistol." Good shooting.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103