357 shooter
Member
I have my 642 loaded with Speer 135 Gold Dots.
642 Ammo Preferences...Please!
- Thread starter Big Dog Dad
- Start date
Dale53
Member
My daily carry is a 642 with Crimson Trace #305 grips. My carry load is Federal's FBI load (158 gr H.P. +P). I practice with .38 wadcutters (home cast and loaded) to make it easy on the gun.
Dale53
Dale53
135 gr short bbl....here's where
Proarms.com stocks it. Massad Ayoob clued me into this site. Also, I have bought some online at Northwest shooters supply. This is a very good choice in ammo. It has the best street record in NYPD and LAPD.
Proarms.com stocks it. Massad Ayoob clued me into this site. Also, I have bought some online at Northwest shooters supply. This is a very good choice in ammo. It has the best street record in NYPD and LAPD.
+1 on the Hornaday Critical Defense in 110 gr standard (not +p) for the same reason; I'm much more accurate with the standard load in my airweight 442 and my wife's 642.
Pioneer461
US Veteran
I think you can carry any of the major manufacturer Self Defense loads with confidence. Some are specific for short barrels. In my 642, I carry Hornady Critical Defense +P.
Use a mainstream brand - Corbon, Federal, Winchester, Remington, etc. Run several available flavors in your gun, see what works best for you.
Whatever ammo you choose, run a few hundred rounds to gain confidence in your self-defence ammo. NO, it's not cheap - but neither is your life.
Then for practice, use whatever is economical and available.
I use Federal 110 grain Hydra-Shok for carry. I don't know why, but I've shot a lot of them in my J-Frame and like them. And I would bet my life on this setup.
I use reloads for practice.
photoman
Member
If you really can shoot +P as well as standard pressure in your Airweight (be honest!), then the 135gr Gold Dot is probably the best option. I would mention the 158gr LHP+P but they tend to hit high in my Airweights. You'll just have to check your gun for best results.
Pointblank2U
US Veteran
I carry the Corbon DPX +P in mine. Why? For one thing they keep the weight down a bit, but mainly because they are very dependable performers. I can't really afford them in a semi because of the cost in testing reliability, but they are fine in the little revolver. The main reason I give the nod to the DPX over the Gold Dot is the bullet shape and ease in using speedloaders. The Gold Dot needs a LOT more practice to be able to reload under stress.
Pigirondan
Member
In my 638, I carry the Buffalo Bore 150 grain DEWC.
PD,
Isn't the +P+ a Magnum Load? I've got some 147 gr +P+ JHP Federal Hydrashok for the 357,, but thought that was too much pressure for the 642. If they are ok,, then I'll probly put them in my 642,, cause they are tough stuff.
Currently got BB 125gr +P JHP in mine,
Joe
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Thanks Robert,
After I made my post,, I checked the owners manual,, and it said not to use +P+,, that the Pressure's were too much.
Also checked with customer service,, and the fellow told me that the +P+ is too hard on the 642,
Joe
andyo5
Member
Speer or Remington 125g JHP ammo. It also shoots my 158g lead SWC rounds well. Conventional wisdom says not to shoot 158g jacketed bullets in s short barreled gun like the 642.
Not sure I've heard this before. Any idea where it comes from?
Robinett_11B
US Veteran
Anyone else?
I've got the Buffalo Bore 158gr +P LSWCHP for the 642 right now.
I've got the Buffalo Bore 158gr +P LSWCHP for the 642 right now.
sac-gunslinger
Member
I am on the same track as you (old fart with a bad back) but further down the road. I have settled on the Buffalo Bore 20D load, 125 grain JHP at standard pressure. With the powder that Buffalo uses this load generates 900 FPS at standard pressure.
I tried a number of loads in the 642, several were rather punishing and I was starting to develop a flinch. This load has solved that problem. You will not be able to shoot this lightweight effectively if you are flinching. I would rather hit my target with a controllable load than miss him with a load I can brag about.
I tried a number of loads in the 642, several were rather punishing and I was starting to develop a flinch. This load has solved that problem. You will not be able to shoot this lightweight effectively if you are flinching. I would rather hit my target with a controllable load than miss him with a load I can brag about.
As you can see, this stuff is reasonably accurate in a 642-1.
That's just a couple rounds fired into water jugs lined up on a table at the range . . . not very scientific. Sorry!
However, the first gallon water jug exploded rather nicely and the bullet stopped before entering the fourth jug in the line.
The recoil of this round matches cheap, normal pressure 130 grain FMJ. I originally bought a case cheap as range fodder, but may carry it as well. Any thoughts? We do already have some Nyclads squirreled away for that purpose.
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PD,
Isn't the +P+ a Magnum Load? I've got some 147 gr +P+ JHP Federal Hydrashok for the 357,, but thought that was too much pressure for the 642. If they are ok,, then I'll probly put them in my 642,, cause they are tough stuff.
Currently got BB 125gr +P JHP in mine,
Joe
I just saw this today. The answer just below your question is right on. I can not recommend what others do RE +p+ , however my thinking is...the new frames are Magnum frames, I only shoot 10 or so a year through it, certainly less than 25. If I have to use that round in earnest, it will be close range so I don't feel the need to practice with the same hot rounds I carry. I shoot a lot and have been for 50 years (oh my God!) so I hope my thinking is not too faulty. I have been picking up those +p+ for many years now and the first I found were $8.00 a box of 50 compared to 20 Hydra shocks at $20.00. I have some of the 147+p+ as well for a total of about 500 rounds. That should last me a while.
I will say that at the amount I shoot, I am not afraid of hurting the gun. I use the same loads in my 1983 m-36.
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