642 Ammo

[hoghunter]

I am picking up a S&W 642 Monday (NO LOCK) and trying to choose self defense ammo. Admittedly, I am a Speer Gold Dot fan. GD has a 125gr +P and a short barrel 135gr +P. I am guessing the short barrel 135gr is the optimal load, but how much different would the 125gr be? Would I still be fine with 125gr +P or is the 135gr +P and absolute must have in the 1.875" barrel? While I'm asking, any recommendations on range ammo?
Thanks

 

[Dump1567]

Can't comment on the differences, but I have to believe the 135 gr. is a better choice, as it was designed for this type of gun.

Also look at the Cor-bon DPX 110gr. bullet. The tappered bullet may also help reload the gun faster.

 

[Dragon88]

Get the short barrel load...if you can find it.

For range ammo, anything will work. Elevation wise my new 642 seems to be regulated for ammo in the 125gr range so stick to that.

 

[moxie]

Try both, and others. I've found the 125+P Rem Golden Saber best out of a snub, better than the 135+P short barrel load offered by Speer. By best I mean more accurate and more controllable for followup shots.

 

[Pointblank2U]

I like both the Gold Dot Short Barrel and the DPX. I go with the DPX for more reliable reloading.

 

[merrkat]

I have moved to DPX for my 642. All of the current new generation HP's will serve you well. Speer has a huge following, but DPX is coming up fast.

 

[hdfinder47]

I have moved to DPX for my 642. All of the current new generation HP's will serve you well. Speer has a huge following, but DPX is coming up fast.

I agree: "All of the current new generation HP's will serve you well." In that regard, I buy whatever is most reasonably priced.

 

[safearm]

I prefer the GD SB 135 grain +P, but sometimes I can't find it, so I'll use the GD 125 grain +P. I feel comfortable with either.

 

[Rule3]

Bottom line. It doesn't matter. Any of the premium brands will all do the same thing, Depends if you want +P or not. At SD distance of 10ft or less I think they will all do the job. In theory a heavy bullet has more penetration but so many other factors involved like outside clothing, heavy jacket vs t- shirt.

Speer, Rem GS, Federal etc. I reload but still use the factory Speers short barrel in my 642/442.

I tried the Buffalo Bore 158gr +P and that is brutal to your hand and gun. I shoot a lot of magnums in other guns and the BB felt worse. Lots of recoil and hard to control for a second shot

 

[Robinett_11B]

I carry 125gr standard pressure Nyclads in my 442 and vintage M60's...it's got a good rep out of snubs and feels the same, in regards to recoil and report, as standard range ammo. Midwayusa stocks 'em for $20/box. I like them, but ymmv...

 

[coobie]

I ordered a 642 which should arrive this week also,same questions I have the speer gold dot 38 +p short barrel but I also bought some hornady 110 gr.FTX +P critical defense ammo.Has anyone tried the hornady?Thanks,coobie

 

[rjpkrp]

I ordered a 642 which should arrive this week also,same questions I have the speer gold dot 38 +p short barrel but I also bought some hornady 110 gr.FTX +P critical defense ammo.Has anyone tried the hornady?Thanks,coobie

I carry the Hornady 110gr FTX +P CD in my Ruger SP101 (2.25")

I carry the Hornady 110gr FTX standard .38 in my Airweight Model 12 with 4" Barrel. On paper it has one of the best ballistics of standard .38s (1010fps/249lbft at the muzzle).

It feels similar to the GA 158g lead SWC rounds that I use at the range.


However, I've never had to use them for defense, so I can comment on their effectiveness. I just know that in that airweight, which can only handle standard .38s, I can't find a much better round on paper.

 

[Dogguy]

I think the Hornady data on velocity is a bit optimistic. Still the CD rounds have had good reviews from testers.

I like the 125 Nyclad HP in my Airweights and the 135 +P Gold Dot HP in my steel J-frames. The 125 +P Gold Dot HP is also a good round, having gotten good reviews in tests with snubbies.

There's lots of good loads around these days, some marginally better than others, depending on what day the test is conducted.

 

[smith57]

In my 642 I alternate every other round with Buffalo Bore Std Pressure 158 gr SWCHP-GC and Speer 135 GD-JHP+P SB .... don't know which one is best, so I load both. Hopefully will never have to find out.

 

[Dragon88]

It's easy to make a light, fast bullet look good on paper. To me 110gr is too light in 38 special. I think bullets in the 130gr range at +P velocity are the ultimate for a 38 snub nose.

 

[147_Grain]

Buffalo Bore Short Barrel:
** 158-gr. Standard Pressure Lead Semi-Wadcutter HP (20C) @ 854 fps in 2" barrel. Less recoil & similar velocity as Speer's 135-gr. Gold Dot @ 860 fps.

Buffalo Bore Short Barrel Low Flash 158-gr. FBI Load



Speer Short Barrel Gold Dot:
* 135-gr. +P Gold Dot HP (23921) @ 860 fps. See also: Speer Short Barrel Ammo Website
Performance Tests of Speer Short Barrel 135-gr. +P

 

[photoman]

The benefit of the 135gr GD over the 125gr GD is that the 135gr has a good street record (load designed for the NYPD and they are very happy with the results). I haven't heard any street results with the 125gr.

 

[Dogguy]

I read somewhere that the NYPD also used the 125 gr +P Gold Dots for a short period just prior to adopting the 135 gr.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I carry either the Speer 135gr SB round or the FBI Load in my snub nose revolver. If you want something with less felt recoil the standard pressure Nyclad ammo is a good choice because it's made of very sort lead.