Can anyone recommend a good round that meets FBI standards. Many suggested I look at Hornaday but after talking with them, they tested their ammo with a 4" barrel (S&W 642 is 1 & 7/8") and they got just under 13" with a standard load (Item #90310) and just under 11" with 110gr +P (Item #90311).
Effective .38 caliber for Self Defense - S&W 642
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CaptRon956
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Winchester's .130-gr. SXT Personal Protection has some pretty good reviews & I'm sold on their "Train & defend" series. They too have recieved some very good reviews...
You could always go with the old "tried & true" 158-gr LSWC-HP +P. I have no idea what the FBI standards may be, but I still see it recommended even today, in spite of the more modern - and more expensive - lighter-weight jacketed loads.
If you are really concerned about penetration then a hard-cast SWC load at higher velocity is probably what is going to work best (as offered by the various "boutique" ammunition companies) but any 158-gr bullet at 800 FPS or better in an Airweight Chief is not going to be much fun to practice with.
If you are really concerned about penetration then a hard-cast SWC load at higher velocity is probably what is going to work best (as offered by the various "boutique" ammunition companies) but any 158-gr bullet at 800 FPS or better in an Airweight Chief is not going to be much fun to practice with.
125 grain gold dot +p
Pocket Guns and Gear: Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 125 Grain GDHP Terminal Test
Pocket Guns and Gear: Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 125 Grain GDHP Terminal Test
shottist
Absent Comrade
Buffalo Bore
I am with KAEDAN and his recommendation for the Speer Gold Dot ammo. I have been involved with my departments ballistic tests which include Gel and Clothing, and Speer always performs at a top level.
There are many quality brands available to you, however, I have confidence in Speer, and this is based on a couple of real "been there done that" duty experiences.
When choosing ammo, many times one fails to consider weather conditions in the area they live. If you live in climate where heavy outer clothing is worn for most months of the year, compared to state where shorts and tee shirts are the norm, I believe penetration test results are very relevant. Forum members will give you good advice, and seeking their recommendations is wise. Best of Luck...........
There are many quality brands available to you, however, I have confidence in Speer, and this is based on a couple of real "been there done that" duty experiences.
When choosing ammo, many times one fails to consider weather conditions in the area they live. If you live in climate where heavy outer clothing is worn for most months of the year, compared to state where shorts and tee shirts are the norm, I believe penetration test results are very relevant. Forum members will give you good advice, and seeking their recommendations is wise. Best of Luck...........
You could always go with the old "tried & true" 158-gr LSWC-HP +P. I have no idea what the FBI standards may be, but I still see it recommended even today, in spite of the more modern - and more expensive - lighter-weight jacketed loads.
If you are really concerned about penetration then a hard-cast SWC load at higher velocity is probably what is going to work best (as offered by the various "boutique" ammunition companies) but any 158-gr bullet at 800 FPS or better in an Airweight Chief is not going to be much fun to practice with.
Thanks for the replies. You are spot on about the retort on 158gr. I just put Hogue Tamer grips on and it has made a huge difference. Still very stout but manageable.
I use the Speer +P 138 gr. HP Gold Dot in my 642 and 442 by preference. It's specifically designed for high performance in 2" barrels.
I do have some Winchester +P 158 gr. SWC "FBI load" ammo, purchased and conserved years ago when it was semi-available. I reserve it for use in all-steel J-frame .38s that are rated for +P. Some will say it's OK to use it in the lightweights, but I prefer to err on the side of caution. That heavy bullet launched violently from the lightweight 642 could result in bullet pull of the remaining rounds in the cylinder through inertia, jamming the cylinder and leaving you with a useless gun.
John
P.S. (late edit) I'm talking about the original hot stuff, not the more recent apparently loaded-down stuff of the same name.
I do have some Winchester +P 158 gr. SWC "FBI load" ammo, purchased and conserved years ago when it was semi-available. I reserve it for use in all-steel J-frame .38s that are rated for +P. Some will say it's OK to use it in the lightweights, but I prefer to err on the side of caution. That heavy bullet launched violently from the lightweight 642 could result in bullet pull of the remaining rounds in the cylinder through inertia, jamming the cylinder and leaving you with a useless gun.
John
P.S. (late edit) I'm talking about the original hot stuff, not the more recent apparently loaded-down stuff of the same name.
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Based on using a .38 snubby and wanting to meet FBI numbers, these loads are highly recommended:
- Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 grain .38 Special +P
- Cor Bon DPX 110 grain .38 Special +P
- Buffalo Bore 158 grain .38 Special Standard Pressure
This questions gets asked a lot. A search will yield great reading and debate.
- Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 grain .38 Special +P
- Cor Bon DPX 110 grain .38 Special +P
- Buffalo Bore 158 grain .38 Special Standard Pressure
This questions gets asked a lot. A search will yield great reading and debate.
JJEH
Member
I'll second that.
Jim1392
US Veteran
When I was carrying my 642 I was using Speer 135 grain short barrel + P's in it. I'm sill using them in the 640 Pro I'm carrying now.
Speer GDHP: Speer 135gr +P GDHP Short Barrel available here
Yup. It's the ultra lightweight Js shooting hot .357 that have had bullet jump, not the .38s.
OP's looking for something that passes FBI tests...
FBI test is for penetration.
Another vote for Gold Dot 135gr Short Barrel load. It has been doing a fine job in the real world for as long as it has been available. Not much good comes out of New York City, but their officers who still carry short revolvers use this, and reportedly they've been very happy with it, getting good responses from bad guys shot with the load.
Any of the DPX .38 loads by CorBon is gonna be good; just more expensive and sometimes harder to find.
For non-boutique loads, the old SWCHP loads are still quite effective; also I've heard good things about Remington 125gr +P SJHP. Kinda hot out of my snubby, like a 'light' .357. I carry those when I'm out of Gold Dot loads.
I don't get real excited about FBI guidelines. Remember, these are the guys who went from 9mm to 10mm, weren't tough enough to handle the recoil, so down-loaded them to keep from hurting the agents' delicate fingers, then went to .40S&W, and now are (I think) going back to 9mm. Only good thing from all that mess is the development of .40S&W. Acebow
Any of the DPX .38 loads by CorBon is gonna be good; just more expensive and sometimes harder to find.
For non-boutique loads, the old SWCHP loads are still quite effective; also I've heard good things about Remington 125gr +P SJHP. Kinda hot out of my snubby, like a 'light' .357. I carry those when I'm out of Gold Dot loads.
I don't get real excited about FBI guidelines. Remember, these are the guys who went from 9mm to 10mm, weren't tough enough to handle the recoil, so down-loaded them to keep from hurting the agents' delicate fingers, then went to .40S&W, and now are (I think) going back to 9mm. Only good thing from all that mess is the development of .40S&W. Acebow
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I would've recommended Remington's version of the tried and true LSWCHP, but anecdotal evidence from around the web suggests the new HTP version uses a harder alloyed bullet at reduced velocities. In essence, it now suffers the same problems as Winchester's version when fired fom short barrels.
Also, according to Speer's own data, their GDSB load actually fails the FBI bare gel test, albeit by a small margin. According to their LE poster, it penetrates about 11" or so.
If memory serves correctly, the FBI protocol also mandates 1.5x expansion. It's not just about penetration and any modicum of expansion.
Also, according to Speer's own data, their GDSB load actually fails the FBI bare gel test, albeit by a small margin. According to their LE poster, it penetrates about 11" or so.
If memory serves correctly, the FBI protocol also mandates 1.5x expansion. It's not just about penetration and any modicum of expansion.
gwpercle
Member
I wouldn't worry too much about FBI Standards, you want a load you can shoot accurately and fast. A hit with any 38 caliber bullet beats a miss..
There is a lot to be said for 158 grain lead SWCHP loads either standard velocity or +P. The Federal Nyclad would be a great choice here. Get a sampling of ammo and go shooting, accurate multiple hits win the day. The penetration will be fine! My J-frame has 148 grain full wadcutters.... Why ? Because I can shoot them very well with very fast follow ups to boot.
Gary
There is a lot to be said for 158 grain lead SWCHP loads either standard velocity or +P. The Federal Nyclad would be a great choice here. Get a sampling of ammo and go shooting, accurate multiple hits win the day. The penetration will be fine! My J-frame has 148 grain full wadcutters.... Why ? Because I can shoot them very well with very fast follow ups to boot.
Gary
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