S&W HE
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Please provide your recommendation(s) for a .38 S&W Special Factory loaded self defense round. It's for a 1960s Model 37 so I believe +P loads are out.
.38 Special Defense Load
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ContinentalOp
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Federal 125gr Nyclad. It's a standard pressure load, so it shouldn't be a problem in your 37. It also has a good track record in actual shootings.
ETA: This is what I currently carry in my 642.
ETA: This is what I currently carry in my 642.
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ArchAngelCD
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I also like Federal standard pressure Nyclad ammo. It's a good clean accurate ammo IMO with a proven street record.
Steve in Vermont
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Ditto all the above. Works well in my old 36.
photoman
Member
The Nyclad 125gr hollow points are my go-to load when standard pressure rounds are required.
Do you want a stnd. pressure load that will beat the pants off the Nyclad?
Try this: Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
It's loaded with the 125 gr. Gold Dot and it beats Speer's own +P load!
These are all I ever carry....
Try this: Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
It's loaded with the 125 gr. Gold Dot and it beats Speer's own +P load!
These are all I ever carry....
38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
I have a late 50s Model 37, as well. It stays loaded with Speer 135gr. +P Gold Dots. I don't shoot many of them, so I'm not worried about wear on the gun. If I were worried about +Ps, I'd probably go with the Nyclads mentioned above, or would load a "combat wadcutter" handload and run it about 800 fps. Too bad the Safe Stop standard pressure load is no longer made.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Even though Buffalo Bore makes good ammo it's extremely expensive. There is other ammo out there with a proven street record that will do a good job at half the price. At a $1.30 each it's very hard to practice with your carry ammo unless you are much better off than I am. The BB ammo is $27/20 rounds and the last time I bought Federal Nyclad ammo it was $27/50 rounds. Current 20 round box price is $19.95. HERE
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I'm sorry but I'm not gonna carry a load that I don't have confidence in just to save a couple bucks.
Besides...how can you spend it if you're dead?
photoman
Member
It'll also beat the skin off your hands. That stuff is hot! It may be standard pressure but it shoots and recoils like +P.
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You mean to tell me you paid all that money for the BB load...took it to the range and fired it...the recoil was too much for you, so you scrapped the remaining rounds and went back to the Nyclads?
Let me tell ya' something about those Nyclads.... They are extremely weak (830 fps. - 191 ft. lbs.) and I assume that's out of a 4" barrel. Just imagine what they do out of a snubby.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
You will notice in my post I mentioned the Nyclad ammo has a street proven record. I wasn't telling you to use an inferior produce. That round was used for a long time by law enforcement with terminal effect.
IMO there are far too many shooters out there that are convinced that more velocity is always better, I'm not one of them. Super high velocity doesn't prove it's good ammo.
photoman
Member
You mean to tell me you paid all that money for the BB load...took it to the range and fired it...the recoil was too much for you, so you scrapped the remaining rounds and went back to the Nyclads?
Let me tell ya' something about those Nyclads.... They are extremely weak (830 fps. - 191 ft. lbs.) and I assume that's out of a 4" barrel. Just imagine what they do out of a snubby.
I just think it's fair to let people know that Buffalo Bore makes excellent ammo and they make standard pressure .38 Special ammo that is excellent but it kicks like a mule. Lot's of people would be upset if I advised them to spend that much money on standard pressure ammo that shot like +P ammo (and it does).
We all have to decide what we are going to use to save our own hide.
Tim Sundles already does let his customers know that it kicks as much as most +P loads. But who is gonna care how much it kicks when some drugged-up piece of scum is trying to kill them?
Cost and kick go out the window when selecting SD ammo. We are relying on our choice of ammo to stop the threat as quickly as possible.
Refer to my last comment....
photoman
Member
I'm not here to get in an argument Skeeziks. Just trying to be helpful.
They aren't even going to notice the recoil IF they ever have to use it in self defense. But some people actually want to practice some with their carry ammo. If they find it has too much recoil they're going to start flinching or stop practicing with it.
ContinentalOp
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Felt recoil may not be a concern during an actual SD shooting, but speed of follow-up shots can be.
I prefer to rely on my ability to get quick, accurate hits to stop the threat as quickly as possible. In my 642 I can do that with Nyclads or Speer SB-GDHP, both rounds with a good track record in actual shootings. I can't do that with BB ammo. I reserve BB ammo for my steel K-frames.
Everything we do when we select a handgun/ammo combination is a compromise in one way or another; it's up to each person to find what works best for him/her.
