38 Special

[Edmo]

Who still manufactures the old NYPD load, 158 grain LSWC ? Great self defense load for airweights.

Here is a ballistics test of the Buff Bore 158 grain LSWC...

Buffalo Bore .38 Special 158 gr Semiwadcutter Ammo Test - YouTube

Now, here is what I would carry...

Speer Gold Dot .38 Special +P 135 gr Ammo Test - YouTube

Edmo

 

[Darkenfast]

I see that Cheaper Than Dirt is carrying the Remington R38S12 .38 Spec +P 158 gr LSWHP for $32.36/50 rounds. Georgia Arms has their 38 Spec +P 158 gr LSWHP for $11.50/50 rounds. Does anyone know how the two compare? The Remington load has a very good reputation. If the GA stuff is just as good, I'd take it at half the price.

Vern

The late Stephen A. Camp (whose writings I greatly respect), tested the GA +P 158 gr. SWCHP. He noted that it seemed to use a slightly harder bullet, and felt that it might not be the best choice for a snub because of the lower velocities from those barrels. Other than that it performed well. Overall he felt that that the +P SWCHP type of .38 was fine for self defense.
His site is still being maintained since his passing, and these are only some of his articles about the .38:

General article about the .38 for defense:
The

Article about the LSWCHP:
New Page 2

Post on Handguns and Ammunition forum re the Georgia Arms +P. I may have seen this here on the S&W forum someplace, but I'm headed for bed! Hope this helps!
Georgia Arms .38 Special 158-gr. LHP +P - Handguns and Ammunition Forums

 

[PeterCartwright]

Old stuff sometimes worked. So did a Brown Bess musket.

Anybody out there willing to argue the Bess was an ineffective stopper?

PC

 

[Vern]

Darkenfast, thanks for those references. I've read a lot of Stephen's posts, but mostly about the Hi Powers.

Vern

 

[Stu Honea]

Not to beat a dead horse but to say that the LHP plus P is a poor stopper is inaccurate. It was carried by many large Police Depts as well as the FBI and has a very good record. Is it the best now? No,... it's old technology but still a good load to use.

Agreed.I absolutely love the 135gr.+P Gold Dot in my Kframe snubs,but the LSWCHP certainly hasn't gotten any worse than it once was,and we saw a lot of people crumble to it even from snubs,expansion or not. Cheap enough to stock a decent supply,too.

 

[Texas Star]

Here is a ballistics test of the Buff Bore 158 grain LSWC...

Buffalo Bore .38 Special 158 gr Semiwadcutter Ammo Test - YouTube

Now, here is what I would carry...

Speer Gold Dot .38 Special +P 135 gr Ammo Test - YouTube

Edmo

In the Gold Dot video, the narrator fails to note that the 945 FPS quoted by CCI/Speer for their 125 grain load is for a vented four-inch barrel, but the 135 grainer is quoted at 860 FPS for a TWO-INCH gun. That may be significant. Both loads have good reps.

I havent fired any 135 grainers yet (can't find them) but the 125 is extremely accurate in my M-60-4. The little gun thinks it's a target revolver with that load!

But if I might have to kill big animals, including feral dogs, let alone a bear or cougar, I'd use the 158 grain lead SWC-HP, probably in Buffalo Bore, if available. But I'd prefer a heavier caliber, too.