Bought my first gun...Big question!

[ebailyn]

I knew NOTHING about guns 3 days ago, but decided I wanted a gun for family protection at home. I bought a Model 60 (no dash) 38 special, with 3" barrel. I love the classic look and how easy it is to hold for my wife and me.

Does anyone know where I can find 38 caliber (not +P) hollow point ammo? I can't find any availability... I only need one box to keep the gun loaded at home. If this isn't available, can I use +P ammo in this gun?

Thank you!
Eric

 

[HotRoderX]

Really the first thing you wanna do is have you and your wife take a basic gun handling class. Once you and the wife have the basics down pat you wanna hit the range and get proficient with it. Once you done that get a few different types of hollow points and try them out. Different guns like different bullets and loads. I have 2 J-Frame snub nose revolvers both in 38. I can say both guns like different loads.

Please don't get me wrong you made the first step in protecting your family but as it stands in a high stress situation your more liable to hurt your self or a love one or worse you could arm a intruder. Revolver is very simple to use but you still have to aim and hit the target. Most likely this is going to be in the middle of the night while your still half a sleep.

Welcome to the forum and to answer your original question.

Shop Shooting Supplies | Reloading | Gunsmithing | Hunting gear — MidwayUSA
Cabela's: Cabela's Official Website - Quality Hunting, Fishing, Camping and Outdoor Gear at competitive prices.

Both the above sights have been where I am ordering a lot of my ammo lately.

 

[alaskavett]

Eric, welcome to the forum. The short answer is yes you can use +P ammo.. That said, please get some proper training for you and your wife before "just loading" it and leaving in the house! Kyle

 

[DigiRebel]

HotRoderX hit the nail on the head. Before you even consider using this for Home Defense you should get proficient with it. Before that learn the basics of gun safety, care, and so on. (Emphasis on safety, because if you hurt yourself or a loved on then the point of self defense is lost).

I recently bought my first handgun as well, but I've been teaching .22 rifle to boy scouts for years.

That said, shooting can be a lot of fun, so before just dropping your gun in a drawer, do take it out and put it through the paces! You did the right thing picking one that felt comfortable, and .38 special is a wonderful round to get started with.

Welcome aboard! Feel free to ask any other questions that come up!

 

[ebailyn]

Thanks for the responses so far. My wife and I certainly will be going many times to a local shooting range. I appreciate the concern! Any more advice and help with the ammo questions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I would try to find some 38 SPL target WC target loads first just to get use to how the revolver shoots, then try some boxes of standered loads to know how you feel with that load, then some hotter loads like Buffalo Bore makes for something that is handeled by both of you. Remember, hits with a round you feel good with are better then a hot load you may miss with.

 

[old bear]

ebailyn, just sent you a P.M.

 

[Delos]

Start soft, Tinitus is real. and don't scare the horses

Get good hearing protection. Starting out with target wadcutters is nice. You do not need to read the box to know they are loaded soft. You do not need ears ringing the rest of your life.

If you are out in the hills hiking, geology, or checking bark and leaf types - and you just gotta shoot a rattlesnake and did not bring muffs along. I put full jacketed bullets in my ears bullet nose first. Hollowpoints with the jacket all the way to hollow point also keeps any lead from touching ear.

If you did not bring at least ear plugs, and not comfortable with bullets, throw a rock at the rattler.

A mountain lion above the trail can get you thrown also. The horse might see it and you don't. Horses do not want anything on their back when they see a cougar. (Long story)

A friend of mine's grandfather got thrown from a horse because of a rattlesnake, and he never completely healed. If you are not sure about the horse being gun trained, then dismount and lead it away. Come back and clear the trail.

 

[PeterCartwright]

Welcome to the shooting fraternity! Don't be intimidated by the "old salts" among us. I think you'll generally find shooters a welcoming lot. I echo the advice about some simple training. The NRA has a great course called "Basic Pistol". It covers things like how to safely handle a firearm, the "abc"s of shooting/marksmanship, how to properly clean a firearm, proper storage, etc. Cost for the course is reasonable, and it is often offered as a one day class on Saturday. You and your spouse will finish the class with new confidence and you'll enjoy your revolver much more. By the way, I think you've made a fabulous choice in that 3" barreled Model 60.

I also like the wadcutter ammo suggestion as you learn to use your revolver. It has low recoil and a mild report. (You'll still need eye and ear protection, however). Self-defense ammo is pricey-especially these days! There are several good options. One non+P load I like is made by Buffalo Bore. They call it: "Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash HVY 38 SPL (non+P)". How's that for a mouthful! It's Item 20C in their catalogue. You can find the item in some of the sources listed in previous posts. It's a variation of the classic 158 gr. semi-wadcutter hollow point, and it's safe in all modern .38 SPLs. I think they run about $25/20. Remington, Federal and Winchester all make cheaper versions of this load (albeit in +P format). You will not hurt your Model 60 with limited use of these +P loads. One more modern .38 Spl. self-defense load is made by Speer. It's a 135 gr. +P jacketed "short barrel" load, also safe in your gun.

There. I've dumped more on you than you asked. Again, welcome to the forum and the shooting community. Be safe. Have fun!

PC

 

[baccusboy]

Congrats on your choice of a .38 special revolver as a first gun.

Excellent, excellent choice.

Also, when you go to shoot it, please purchase a simple box of flat-faced "full wadcutter" loads. They are target rounds, and cut a nice clean hole in the target. Also, they make a great choice for the recoil-sensitive shooter (like a first-time shooter often is -- especially female).

DO NOT put a full +P load in front of your wife as her first shot, or she will likely put the thing down and not want to shoot it again.

Full wadcutters, despite their slow speed, will penetrate a solid 16 inches and cut a nice clean hole in a human, too. I suggest this for a self defense load at home, at first, until you both get used to better.

 

[raisedin99]

Get good hearing protection. Starting out with target wadcutters is nice. You do not need to read the box to know they are loaded soft. You do not need ears ringing the rest of your life.

If you are out in the hills hiking, geology, or checking bark and leaf types - and you just gotta shoot a rattlesnake and did not bring muffs along. I put full jacketed bullets in my ears bullet nose first. Hollowpoints with the jacket all the way to hollow point also keeps any lead from touching ear.

If you did not bring at least ear plugs, and not comfortable with bullets, throw a rock at the rattler.

A mountain lion above the trail can get you thrown also. The horse might see it and you don't. Horses do not want anything on their back when they see a cougar. (Long story)

A friend of mine's grandfather got thrown from a horse because of a rattlesnake, and he never completely healed. If you are not sure about the horse being gun trained, then dismount and lead it away. Come back and clear the trail.

In regards to the original posters question: Are you serious ?

terry

 

[pawncop]

Welcome from Texas. Good advice here, many, many fundamental issues to learned. This is journey for you and your family and remember, the joy is in the quest.

 

[all357mag]

Yeah, +P is fine for your gun. Try and get regular 158gr HP's.

 

[cp1969]

When you obtain training for you and your wife, make sure it includes double-action firing. Your gun is capable of two modes of firing--single action and double action. Single action is for target shooting; double action is for fast defense work. Practice enough that you can hit a paper plate (9" dia) at about 10' distance with all five shots in less than 10 or 12 seconds. Better would be to put one shot in each of five plates in the same amount of time. When you can do that, you're a good novice, but you still haven't hit any moving targets with it and chances are you'll have to do that if it ever comes down to using the gun to protect yourself.

One thing I don't think anybody has mentioned--laser grip sights. They emit a red dot which all you have to do is keep on the target while you squeeze the trigger. I've never used them but maybe somebody else here has and can vouch for whether they're a good idea or not.

148 gr. Wadcutter (target) ammo is a very good choice until you and your wife are thoroughly acclimated to this gun and shooting. It will do the job if you do yours, i.e., place the bullet correctly on the target. If you don't, no other kind of ammo will make up for that.

 

[sw44spl]

what you didnt get a glock...... no you got a great one.you cant beat the 38spl and its nice you got the 3 inch barrel.I carry in my J frame 38 jacketed soft points.because out of short barrels the hollow point dont expand to good.they make hollow points for the snubbys.but you should be fine with the 3 incher.but get that range time in on it.

 

[delta-419]

Welcome

Welcome to the shooting faternity and the forum.This is a great place to learn about S&Ws and guns in general. There is a vast amount of accumilated knowledge from every group represented here: law enforcement; military; competion shooters; trainers; hunters; and even lawyers! We love the sport and welcome you and your wife!

 

[ebailyn]

I really got some terrific advice. Thanks to everyone. I'm looking forward to the end of the 10-day waiting period, and finally having my gun in-hand. Great advice on not getting the wife scared off...she's leary as it is, but is willing to go to the range.

I'm learning alot very quickly, especially as I read through the techy stuff about SAAMI pressure limits and how these have changed over the years.

Very exciting time...My kids are very interested in this stuff too, but of course, I'll have the gun in a combination safe when not being used by me.

 

[baccusboy]

I suggest an NRA safety class for the kids, and if they are interested, start them out on a nice .22 cricket rifle. Handgun later. Something like a nice .22 Browning Buckmark or simple/cheap Heritage for plinking. Of course, keeping all of these locked up in a decent safe is important. Also, do the same with the ammo. When I was 9, I decided to put a .22 bullet in the back of a vice and hit it with a hammer. My mother called me to lunch just as I was on the backswing.... so glad she did!

Kids are naturally curious, and it is important that we be very safe around them.

 

[MarkDozier]

You will be assemilated
You have entered a very dangerous way of life, at least to your budget. Now you will be going to the gunstore "just to see what they have" of course.
I have the local shops on speed dail.

Get the basic pistol course ASAP for you, your wife and kids so you are on the same page.
Shooting is a great family sport. Enjoy

 

[Old TexMex]

Welcome here, and have a good time at the range. Don't be shy to ask questions, most people at the range are good. ( an armed society is a polite society) But if I may, along w/ others, suggest, get some training at the range, safety is first and foremost. Welcome again.