Ammo for Model 19

[Checkpoint Charlie]

I'm picking up a Model 19-3 with 2.5 inch barrel this week. I plan on shooting frequently. What's a good .38 special target load for the range? What do you guys recommend for a .38 self-defense load and also a .357 defense load. The consensus seems to be to limit .357 ammo to about 20 percent of your shooting. Any comments and advice are welcome.



"Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything." -- Wyatt Earp

 

[Arik]

You can shoot all the 357 you want out of it.

 

[JeepinSoldier]

I would avoid the hot 110 and 125 grain .357 magnum loads.

Stick to the 140 and 158 grain full house .357's and you should be fine.

For a .357 snubbie, I would carry the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain short barrel .38 Special +P or .357 Magnum load. These loads are specially designed for short barrel revolvers and expand reliably at lower velocities while still penetrating deep enough.

They can be hard to find, but you can acquire them if you keep looking on the usual internet sites like Ammo to Go.

I keep my 2" Model 60 and 3" Model 65 loaded with them.

 

[max]

Most any inexpensive 38 load should be fine for just shooting. I reload and shoot lots of lead swc's. I don't much care for full magnums out of my 19 snub and call if my favorite 38 special.

 

[Hapworth]

.38/.357 target and defense loads is one of the most discussed subjects on the forum; suggest a search for more reading.

For standard plinking, my Ks do fine with just about any factory load. If you're talking match accuracy, 148 grain wadcutters from Remington, Federal or Winchester will do.

I lean toward .38 Special for personal defense. Many good loads to choose from; the following all have analogues in .357 if that's what you prefer.

Recommend:

- Speer Gold Dot 135 grain Short Barrel .38 Special +P hollow point
- Buffalo Bore 158 gain Standard Pressure .38 Special lead semi-wadcutter hollow point
- CorBon DPX 110 grain .38 Special +P hollow point

Runners Up:

- Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain .38 Special +P hollow point
- Remington Golden Saber 125 grain .38 Special +P hollow point

 

[Goblin]

Winchester has a +P 158 grain lead semi-wadcutter hollow point that a lot of police departments used before the change to semi-autos, and it was supposed to be a good performer. I carry it for defense, and its a fun load to shoot, but pricey for practice. Good luck finding any in stock. Remington has a similar load that I haven't tried.

 

[chief38]

For Range / Target fodder, I load up .38 Special 158 grain RNL bullets with 3.2 grains of Titegroup - a real mild and accurate load you can shoot all day from a Snubby.

For CCW, SD, HD I would recommend using Buffalo Bore HEAVY 158 grain LSWCHP-GC .38 Special +P's. They will outperform just about any 158 grain major Brand Factory .357 Magnum from that length barrel, NOT beat up the gun or your hands and ears. The BB is accurate, has low muzzle flash, much less report than the Magnums, and will leave your 2 1/2" bbl. at about 1080 fps.

The use of light weight bullets from Magnums is a no no in a K Frame. I'd shoot nothing but 158's or 180's in the Magnums and keep those to a minimum. I load 180 grain BB .357 Magnums in my 3" M65 when in the Woods in Bear Country. The BB Magnum does over 1300 fps out of the 3" bbl. (personally Chronographed).

 

[Checkpoint Charlie]

Great info! Thanks to everyone for their input!