Best SD load for 3" M-37 Airweight?

[Triggernosis]

Fed. 125 gr. Nyclad? Hornady Critical Defense or XTP? Handload my own?
What's recommended for an older Airweight (non +P)?

 

[captainjohnsofd]

I have had good results with the following loads: Hornady Critical Defense .38 SPL non+P and Speer Gold Dot .38 SPL non+P 125 gr. JHP. Not cheap but good loads IMHO.

 

[badge 851]

Fed. 125 gr. Nyclad? Hornady Critical Defense or XTP? Handload my own?
What's recommended for an older Airweight (non +P)?

The Federal® Nyclad™ 125gr NCLHP performs far, far, far, better than any paper ballistics indicate. My wife carries it in her snubby and it is accurate, dependable, and low recoil.

 

[Swabby]

I've noticed it's getting a little harder to find a selection of "non-plus P" home defense rounds to choose from in most stores. The Speer Gold Dots would be a good choice, as mentioned above, if you can find non-plus P offerings. I was in a Cabelas the other day and noticed they had the Winchester Silver Tips in a 110gr standard load. They were in boxes of 50 and were on sale for $33 a box. That's not a bad deal for SD ammo and not a bad little load. I think Hornady also offers the XTP bullets in a standard .38 special load as well. Everyone goes for the new critical defense loads, but the standard XTP's are a good performer, as well. Just some options for you to explore. Good luck.

 

[Triggernosis]

Thanks for the recommendations, gentlemen.

 

[Dragon88]

Stay away from the XTP, there are much better hollowpoints out there for SD. Other than that, pick your poison. Plenty of options.

 

[Maximumbob54]

The Hornady Critical Defense with the rubber bit in the HP seems to fair well in any test I have seen. BUT... I haven't seen any real world use yet to back that up. I still load my own 158gr SWC's to the top loading that the manuals say is a max standard pressure load.

 

[one eye joe]

The Federal® Nyclad™ 125gr NCLHP performs far, far, far, better than any paper ballistics indicate. My wife carries it in her snubby and it is accurate, dependable, and low recoil.

I agree with badge 851. Nyclad is the best standard pressure load for SD purposes out of a snubby Airweight.....

 

[Triggernosis]

My "snubbie" has a 3" barrel - will that make much, if any, difference in what load I should be looking for?

 

[Texas Star]

My "snubbie" has a 3" barrel - will that make much, if any, difference in what load I should be looking for?

Your longer barrel will give higher velocity, but I think it is the light alloy frame that must receive the most attention.

If you can get it, I think the Federal Nyclad Chief Special load is the answer.

In general, a three-inch barrel adds about 50-75 feet velocity, so you'll have that advantage over a true snub, regardless of the load. I got that figure from two ammo makers, one of whom actually chronographed some ammo for me from snub and three-inch guns. (I'm a gun writer, and they agreed to do that for an article.) The ammo used was Federal's 129 grain Hydra-Shok, but I use ir in steel frames. And I actually prefer Speer's Gold Dot or the former FBI lead HP; those are Plus P.

If you can't find Nyclad, I suggest trying for standard speed lead SWC ammo. The added velocity of the three-inch barrel will give it some added smack, but placement is the ultimate stopping power.

You will probably find your gun easier to shoot well than a snub, and the longer extrctor rod is a boon.

Have you shot it yet? I'd think it will serve well to at least 25 yrds., more in really skilled hands. But the aluminum frame does limit what ammo is useable.

 

[Triggernosis]

Texas,
Oh yes, I've had it a couple of years now and it shoots plain-ol' 148 wadcutters great, but I'm running low on them and am looking for something that's a bit more of a SD type load, particularly since the wadcutters are practically impossible to load quickly with a speed strip.

I've found both the Nyclads and Speer Gold-Dot Std. Pressure loads online so I'll probably get a box of each and see how it shoots with them. Perhaps I'll try the Hornady Crit. Defense, but they're quite expensive in my opinion.

 

[badge 851]

Re: Best SD load for 3" M-37 Airweight®?

The best standard pressure load, even better than the Nyclad®s I previously mentioned; is the..........

Buffalo Bore® Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Ammo - 158 gr. Soft Lead SWCHCGC (850fps/M.E. 253 ft. lbs.)

It has the velocity and power of the "FBI Load" w/o the recoil.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Standard pressure Federal Nyclad ammo...

 

[pff]

Nyclads here. (I seem to detect a trend developing )

They don't get much attention from the gunwriters, but folks have been trusting this load for years now.

Regards,

Pat

 

[Triggernosis]

Thanks, guys - I'll see if I can find some Nyclads locally and if I can't I'll order some.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks, guys - I'll see if I can find some Nyclads locally and if I can't I'll order some.

Here you go, not the cheapest ammo around but not as expensive as most others. Here is a link to a 20 rounds box. If you can find them in a 50 round box they will cost less.

 

[Triggernosis]

Thanks, AA.

Also, guys - I came across some Speer Gold Dots here:
Speer Gold Dot 38 Special 125 gr JHP ammo (50 rds)

They should work OK, too, yes?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks, AA.

Also, guys - I came across some Speer Gold Dots here:
Speer Gold Dot 38 Special 125 gr JHP ammo (50 rds)

They should work OK, too, yes?

Wow, I wasn't aware Speer was manufacturing standard pressure .38 Special Gold Dot ammo. I checked the Speer LE Ammo Site and it is there. I would say YES, that is perfectly fine for your revolver without a doubt. The Gold Dot bullet is highly rated.

 

[Triggernosis]

AA, here's where I've found it for sale: Speer Gold Dot 38 Special 125 gr JHP ammo (50 rds)

Don't order their entire supply, though - leave some for me.

BTW, where do you see it on the Speer site? I can't seem to find it. Oops - I found it - it's down below .357 Sig.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Yeah, I thought it wasn't there either then saw it...