How many use...

[badge 851]

Hornady® Critical Defense® ammunition as a carry load in your 38 Special snubbies/Roscoes?

My EDCG is an S&W® M&P Bodyguard® Crimson Trace BG38 (SKU:10062) and it shoots EXACTLY to POA out to 15 yards with the (#90310) load. I also use this 110gr +P load in my Charter Arms® Undercover® DAO (#13811) BUG. I chose this ammunition because of the accuracy and low recoil in these two light carry guns. I get much faster recovery from recoil and return to battery with this ammunition.

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/handgun/38-special-110-gr-ftx-critical-defense#!/

M&P(R) BODYGUARD(R) 38 Crimson Trace(R) | Smith & Wesson

Model # 13811 | Charter Arms

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I never tried that ammo. Currently in carrying the 135gr Speer GDHP Short Barrel .38 Spl +P ammo.

 

[Gene L]

I do...and in 9mm and .380. I figure it's not that big of a big deal if you need to fire it. No pistol bullet is going to be all that effective and they shoot well for me.

 

[chief38]

Personally I always thought 110 grain was just too light and shoots too low out of 2" Snubbies.

I prefer the Buffalo Bore (20A) 158 grain +P LSWCHP which does a consistent 1025 fps out of 2" my M60-7. While it does have some kick, it is a superbly accurate and consistent shooting load!

My second choice (and the lightest grain weight I'd use) is the Speer +P GDHP "Short Barrel" which chronographs about 860 fps out of the M60-7 but for the lower grain weight and velocities you do get milder recoil. It is also a very reliable and consistent load and street proven as well. While not nearly as powerful as the Buffalo Bore load above, it is still a very effective and trusted load.

Just my opinion of course....... but 110 grain bullets should only be used on specific need basis for very specified purposes out of 2" Snubbies. Again - just my opinion.

 

[lrrifleman]

I carry the 110gr Critical Defense ammo in my 36-6 when I carry out of state. The primary reason, is that NJ has laws against hollow points and doesn't see/classify the bullet used in Critical Defense ammo as a hollow point.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I carry this stuff in everything from .380 ACP to .45 ACP, and never had an issue with it.

Somebody on the forum in another thread once suggested that you should find out what LE issues in your area and carry that. I think that's a pretty solid suggestion. My hometown PD issues Critical Duty for the big pistols and Critical Defense for the small pistols.

 

[Bronco89]

I have 110 grain standard pressure Hornady CD, loaded up in my 4" S&W Mod-64 at this moment. I have confidence in the load.

 

[rubiranch]

I load my 642-1 EDC with Federal .38 Special +P 129 Grain Hydra-Shok JHP.

 

[Rudi]

Critical Defense is outstanding ammo.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I might not have any loaded in there today but it is one of my go to rounds for 2" snubbies. After the fire last year I just haven't gotten everything back together but I will!

 

[hardluk1]

No one here carries a snubby anymore . Mine was retired 15 or 16 years ago for carry . I do have a couple boxes of federal new 38sp hst set aside .

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
I don't carry the XTP type of bullet for SD...
They are too hard and open too slow..
The Speer gold dot , federal hy-shok, hydro shok etc
remmington, or faster opening bullet.
HOWEVER--- the XTP is a Great hunting bullet and is accurate!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Babysitr]

got the 110gr. +P in my LCR every day.

 

[rubiranch]

I load my 642-1 EDC with Federal .38 Special +P 129 Grain Hydra-Shok JHP.

I switch off between my 642-1 and my 640-1 for EDC.

After posting on this thread I thought I would order some .357 mag hyra-shok for my 640-1 and they arrived today.
Federal 158 gr hydra-shok jhp.

So I went to load them in my .357 and that's what it was already loaded with.

For some reason I thought I had the .38 ammo in the .357.

 

[Univibe]

If you depend on a .38 snub to save your life, your ammo better be "critical."

 

[Nevada Ed]

Hornady Squeeeeezed everything it could out of this 38 ammo
to get it to work and also have a light recoil for the light weight revolvers.

If you are happy with this type of ammo......... go for it.

Even though they even have a little 90gr bullet for SD use.......
I think that a 110gr is bare bones for a snub nose, but hay,
even a tiny .22 can kill a person.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
PS I now have Supervel Super snub 90 gr JHP for my intown load..
and Remington 110 SJHP for general [3in Kimber K6s DASA]
PPs I DO NOT care for the FBI spec ammo,,, We don't shoot through
windows , car doors , rather we shoot AT a target and close..Defense

 

[tlawler]

I prefer the Federal HST .38 +P 130 grain Micro load. It’s gotten some great reviews from everyone who has tested it. I’ve also got some of the bare projectiles and I’m going to experiment with driving them at +P+ to medium magnum velocities out of a .357 case and see how they do.

 

[BB57]

Groo here
I don't carry the XTP type of bullet for SD...
They are too hard and open too slow..
The Speer gold dot , federal hy-shok, hydro shok etc
remmington, or faster opening bullet.
HOWEVER--- the XTP is a Great hunting bullet and is accurate!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.38 Special, even .38+P doesn't have enough velocity for the XTP bullet used in the Critical Duty and American Gunner ammo.

You need to get a 125 gr XTP up around 1250 fps for reliable expansion. But they perform really well at that velocity and they work well for a 3" .357 Mag.

.38 Special is where the FTX bullet used in Critical Defense ammo works well. The .38+P load gives good results in a 2" revolver and the standard pressure load works well in a 4" revolver.

 

[CH4]

Yes, I carry the Critical Defense and Gold Dots.