642 and Buffalo Bore

[fbird]

Hi All, I'm new to revolvers and Smith and Wessons. I recently picked up a new S&W 642 and was looking for a good defense round for concealed carry. I picked up some Buffalo Bore 125gr +P's. I've been doing some reading on the internet and have seen some folks warn about using +P or at least firing an abundance of +p's out of the ultralight. Is this something I should be worried about? Looking at the specs on the Buffalo Bore they seem like some pretty heavy hitters. I don't plan on firing alot of the BB's specifically but plan to fire the gun quite a bit, as it will be a carry piece and think at least firing a good amount of +p's would be beneficial so I'm comfortable with them.

Any thoughts? is there a better self defense ammo I should look at?

Shawn

 

[paragon1]

It's very good, well into expansion velocities out of the 642. Penetration is good also.

The Gold Dot bullet is proven if it has enough velocity, and the BB powder moves it along quite nicely.

 

[txpitdog]

try the BB 158+P LSWCHP's. These do a chrony'd 1000fps out of the 642/442. They are downright nasty, but better keep two hands on that j-frame. I'm getting a set of Crimson Trace grips to help reduce/tame recoil and to help with accuracy.

 

[Neal/CO]

This site is frickin great!!! I was wondering myself what to load in my 642 after I buy it.

 

[Butchbird]

I use BB 158+p in my 442 -- it's a handfull but since I just use it for carry and very little practice it has held up well -- just don't over do it and it should be fine

 

[indiandave]

I use Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWC Std. Pressure. This shoots well in my 642. With my sore and damaged hand this has as much pop to it as I can handle.(arthritis in my thumb joint along with carpol tunnel syndrome)

 

[redlevel]

I use the BB 158 grain swchp gas checked rounds in my j-frames. The recoil is what I would call stout, but certainly not punishing.

Unless you are rich, I don't think you can afford enough of the BB ammo to hurt your revolver.

I did a little write-up on some sight-in work I did on the 158 grain load a while back. Now that the weather is cooling off some, and if I can save enough to order some more ammo, I am going to do some more shooting with the BB loads, including trying them in my daughter's 442.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/148631-buffalo-bore-heavy-38-special-sight.html

 

[fbird]

Wow! I never expected that many responses that quick. This site ROCKS! Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like this will be a great defense round with no worries. I might pick up some of the 158 grain at some point to try it out.
I definately won't firing a large amount of the Buffalo Bore at over a $1/round.
Redlevel, thanks for the link. Some great info!

Thanks for the help everybody.

 

[RichCapeCod]

For the record, a week ago I chrono'd some Buffalo Bore 150 grain hard cast wadcutter (non +P) out of my Ruger LCR and they averaged 901 fps for ten rounds.

Low: 886 fps
Hi: 915 fps
ES: 29 fps

Good load for a snubbie.

Rich

 

[JoeGun]

BB 125 gr 38spl +p versus Speer 38 spl +p 135gr short barrel

Hey Guy's,

Old thread,, I know,, but this one came up in search for info on the BB 125 gr 38spl +p.

Seems like the responders just jumped straight over the bb 125 to the 158gr though,, but i'm leaning more to the 125gr bb +p or the Speer 135gr +p short barrel. Maybe I'm missing something though.

Seem's like this round is about 1050 fps/300 ftlbs at the muzzle,, out of a short barrel.

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=109

The Speer Gold dot short barrel 38spl +p 135gr seems to be about 860fps/222 ftlbs at the muzzle.

Any information on how these 2 rounds stack up against each other would be appreciated,, as a defensive ccw round in a 642.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[5Wire]

Some 642s aren't rated for Plus P. The ones that are usually say so on the barrel. The J-Magnum Frame is another indication, the cylinder cutout is enough longer (about 1/10th inch) to accommodate the .357 Cartridge but the .38 Special & Plus P guns use the same frame with shorter cylinders. The 642-1 introduced the Magnum Frame, according to SCS&W.

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

Hi All, I'm new to revolvers and Smith and Wessons. I recently picked up a new S&W 642 and was looking for a good defense round for concealed carry. I picked up some Buffalo Bore 125gr +P's. I've been doing some reading on the internet and have seen some folks warn about using +P or at least firing an abundance of +p's out of the ultralight. Is this something I should be worried about? Looking at the specs on the Buffalo Bore they seem like some pretty heavy hitters. I don't plan on firing alot of the BB's specifically but plan to fire the gun quite a bit, as it will be a carry piece and think at least firing a good amount of +p's would be beneficial so I'm comfortable with them.

Any thoughts? is there a better self defense ammo I should look at?

Shawn

My preference is Buffalo Bore non-+p 158 grain LSWCHP "Chicago loads".

 

[photoman]

I've found the Buffalo Bore ammo to hot for fast, accurate shooting. A well placed shot with a less powerful round is much better than a miss with the latest, greatest super ammo. If you can shoot the Buffalo Bore fast and accurate, then go for it. It's not going to hurt your 642.

 

[Ironhand]

I'm bobbling between their 158gr. SWCLHP, either in +P or not, and their 150gr. hard-cast wadcutter, in my 49 Bodyguard. Sticker shock for either round is what keeps me from committing to either right now.

 

[motor51]

I'm glad I stumbled on this thread. I had actually called S&W to ask if I could shoot the 158gr +P in my new 442. The rep advised me against it due to the higher pressure but apparently if I just use them for carry I will be good. Thanks again for the great info on this site


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kthom]

I'm really fond of that 150 grain wadcutter, especially for the first cylinder full. Not a thing wrong with the 158 grain SWCHP either. I carry the 158 grainers for a spare reload since those bullets are a bit easier to get in the charge holes as opposed to the full wads (especially in a hurry!). Shot a tough old jackrabbit with the full wad and it sounded like a softball hitting a sheet iron building, and it made a fearful fatal wound! Lots of us carried regular target wads in our backup snubs back in the day. They are also pretty effective if loaded to around 750/800 fps.

 

[Eagle1*]

so the 125 grn +P rounds would be fine then? If S&W said no go on the 158 +P's then? I am one of those guys that if the barrel says "rated for +P on it I am shooting that out of it. Not all of the time of course but I will...

 

[armorer951]

Practice instinctive shooting and trigger control with your J-frame. That practice (skill) will be of most benefit if you are forced to use the gun to defend yourself or your family.

Your choice, of course, but the terminal ballistic gains from "+P" loads out of a short barrel are miniscule, and use of the higher pressure ammunition will only accelerate the wear and tear on the revolver.

 

[Jingles]

Wow, you guys shooting +P out of your 442/642 are a lot tougher than me. I load 158 gr LSWC with 3.0 gr of Bullseye for a pleasant but accurate load. I find with the higher power rounds I can't hit squat after the second or so shot. With the lower power I can keep to minute-of-paper plate at 15 yards.

 

[Stopsign32v]

try the BB 158+P LSWCHP's. These do a chrony'd 1000fps out of the 642/442. They are downright nasty, but better keep two hands on that j-frame. I'm getting a set of Crimson Trace grips to help reduce/tame recoil and to help with accuracy.

These aren't +P but they didn't do too hot.

Buffalo Bore .38 Special 158 gr Semiwadcutter Ammo Test - YouTube
This is the +P version though. Terrible and pointless video to show it though IMO

Buffalo Bore .38 spl 158 gr LSWCHP +P gel test video - YouTube