self defense ammo for 686 4 inch barrel?

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johnny utah

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As some of you probably know, the 686 plus is a .357 Mag but also shoots 38 sp. I got this revolver mainly for home defense. After researching, I'm thinking that 38 special + p is the better ammo given my concerns with (1) over-penetration (got 2 little kids rooms in the house and other houses in close proximity), (2) recoil/muzzle flash/noise (my wife can and will shoot this revolver too) and (3) overall accuracy if needing to fire off multiple rounds rapidly. I am not opposed to the .357 but given the above factors, here is what I'm leaning towards below. Much was made about how these choices worked well for the snubbies, barrel length 3 inch or under, but I've got 4 inch to play with, so I'm wondering how much my extra length will impact my ammo choice.

Choices so far - in no order
-Remington 38 sp. + p 158g LSWCHP
-Speer gold dot + p (not sure whether 135 or 125g)
-Corbon 38 sp. + p 125g JHP

For what it is worth, my research came from reports/findings/studies I read about dealing with real life encounters, many of which were referenced or linked to by folks in this S&W forum. Thanks in advance for your comments and other suggestions.
 
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I could be wrong but it seems like the Hornaday critical defense ammo is designed not to over penetrate walls.

As far as the caliber goes with the 2 little ones and noise being a concern (which I cant blame you). I look at other calibers. My understanding is 38special is pretty darn loud which it does seem louder to me then 9mm. 357magnum will shatter your ear drums when fired in a enclosed structure with out ear plugs in. When I go to any indoor range to shoot my 357mangum I use -33db muffs and earplugs and my ears will still ring for a few hours after shooting.

I know protecting your family is extremely important but I just couldn't see shooting either caliber in doors with out hearing protection unless it was a last resort and I had no other options.
 
Greetings and welcome to the forum.

Sounds like you've done your research, but just in case -- this subject has been discussed here many times; run a search and you will find great reading.

As for the specific loads you mention: all will do the job well, as is true of virtually any modern defense round from an established ammo maker. Choose the one that shoots comfortably and accurately in your 686, and that is easily purchased at a reasonable price. All will work as they're supposed to from a 4" barrel.

Personally, I like Speer in 135gr. Though designed as a short barrel round, it's performance in barrels up to 4" is excellent.
 
HotRoderX said:
I could be wrong but it seems like the Hornaday critical defense ammo is designed not to over penetrate walls.

As far as the caliber goes with the 2 little ones and noise being a concern (which I cant blame you). I look at other calibers. My understanding is 38special is pretty darn loud which it does seem louder to me then 9mm. 357magnum will shatter your ear drums when fired in a enclosed structure with out ear plugs in. When I go to any indoor range to shoot my 357mangum I use -33db muffs and earplugs and my ears will still ring for a few hours after shooting.

I know protecting your family is extremely important but I just couldn't see shooting either caliber in doors with out hearing protection unless it was a last resort and I had no other options.
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The Hornady Critical Defense round -- which I think is a quite good one -- is intended for civilian self defense; barrier penetration while retaining good terminal ballistics isn't part of its design, per the maker.

However, like any defense round that will penetrate adequately in a direct shooting, it will also go through walls and put persons on the other side of them at risk. There's isn't a quality defense round that to some degree won't.

.357 is definitely a boomer in every way and in my opinion a problem for home defense, but .38 and 9mm are comparable audibly.
 
I use 125gr Gold Dots. They are not particularly hot and have good expansion. Lighter bullets are less likely to penetrate the attacker than 158gr loads. They also have higher velocity for hydrostatic shock value.

Even a .22LR is loud enough to cause ear damage in a closed space. That's not your most important consideration in a life or death situation.
 
Either of the .38 +P 125 grn JHP's.
Or even a 110 grn load considering your over penetration and recoil concerns.

I personally choose Double Tapps .357 Magnum load of 125 grn JHP'S at 1600 fps. But our concerns are different.

Truth be told the .38 special is anemic compared to the .357.
Any lighte 38 Special +P JHP from any manufacture would serve you. One will not be substantially better than another. Rembering your concerns of over penetration and recoil.

Emory
 
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As others have said any of the +P loads will do the job w/good placement. As to shooting indoors and your hearing I can only tell you what I experienced as an LEO. I had to shoot a hostage taker in a motel lobby from about 5 feet away w/my Model 15 loaded w/the +P FBI round. I fired three shots and he went down, I never heard a thing and my hearing is fine today. Doctors call this auditory occlusion and it happens to some people under extreme stress.

Bottom line is get what works best for you in your gun, practice as realistically as possible and hope you never have to employ your skill set.
 
Welcome to the forum!

I can't add anything that hasn't already been said - any of the +P ammo you're talking about will work just fine.

In my humble opinion (and I have a 686+ in 4") - all of the ammo you list would work fine for your wife too - without excessive noise or recoil.
 
Just remember though, a 38 becomes a bit more potent in a gun with a 4" barrel. A lot of research data that gets posted on 38's are tested in guns with a 1 7/8" barrel. Your data will be a little higher in a longer barreled gun. Also, 38's tend to flash a little less, with a little less muzzle flip for quicker follow-up shots. I have Winchester silver-tips loaded into my M10-6 4" and I have every confidence in the world that if called upon, it will dispatch an intruder just as readily as anything else. It's accurate, reliable, and a mild shooter. Your 686 will be slightly heavier than my M10, so your recoil will be slightly less. Just some points to consider...
 
Noise & Hearing loss (Protect & hear better?)

At age 80 I must preserve as much of what's left of my hearing as possible. Might I suggest you/me/we, all consider using electronic hearing protection (like the $140.00 **Brownell's #080-000-922WB, rated at NRR26) for not only protection but hearing "enhancement" as well? You could keep them @bedside for each of you and might allow whispered conversation/instructions as well as the hearing enhancement-2 pair required! (Good Christmas presents?)

**This model was mentioned in "Gun Tests", Nov. 2012, page 14.

Stay safe

Charlie
 
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I carry a 4 inch S&W 686-6 on duty loaded with issued Speer "Short Barrel" 135 grain Gold Dot .357 Magnum ammunition. It's not as intense as the old school Remington 125 grain semi-jacketed hollow-point .357 Magnum ammunition I used to carry (1450 fps!). The Gold Dots are accurate and have good power and penetration at close range. (If I shoot anyone with a handgun at work, it's gonna be close up!)

ECS
 
Lately I have been carrying Blazer aluminum 357/158 gr.. It isn't a full house magnum but a definite leg up on the 38 sp..
Since Sandy Hook I have vowed to carry whenever possible, bigger when I am able, with 2 reloads instead of 1.
 
I've got a model 15-3 4 " and have been reluctant to use the FBI load.

I gather it didn't hurt the gun??
 
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