Best Self-Defense Ammo for 642?

[surveyor47]

You arent buying premium self defense loads, such as Speer +P 135s or 158 +P HP FBI loads for target practice,especially at well over $1/round! The box says SELF DEFENSE and that is exactly what they are for! A +P38 is little enough! If it groups well enough to hit at 7 yards, thats good enough.

Practice with a standard 38 Special loadings, such as Winchester White Box 130 or 158 round nose, something close to the weight you are carrying in a self defense load.

Once you learn the proper grip for your gun and limit the number of rounds fired, that tendancy to wear the skin off the web of your hand won't be a problem. I unconsciously hold mine very tight because of that. Also, 50 rounds per range session with that gun is enough.

 

[photoman]

Originally posted by milspec45:
I've been shooting Rem 110gr sjhp's for defense out of a Smith mdl 37. No recoil problems.

I use these on occasion but they have one heck of a flash and bang. Then again, that might not be a bad thing.

 

[photoman]

Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:
Don't forget to Include Remington's FBI load (R38S12) in there as well.

The last box of R38S12 I bought was loaded quite different than the older stock I had. The bullet was about 1/16" further out of the case. Don't know if that's something new they are doing or if it was a bad batch of ammo. FYI

 

[Emerson]

I carry my 642 loaded with HydraShocks.

 

[photoman]

Originally posted by NavJAG06: Looking for a good compromise for a self-defense round with decent velocity, power, and bullet spread with a bit less recoil than the Speers 38 +P rounds I fired. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The NYPD Gold Dot load has performed well on the street but the recoil is a bit much for me. I use the CorBon 110gr JHP+P. A bit less recoil and the Sierra bullet is very accurate. This load has performed well on the street also.

 

[JayDubya]

Dale said: "My carry loads for the 642 are the "FBI Load" (.38 Special +P with 158 gr LSWC-HP). I practice with target WC's (148 WC's at target velocity). I often shoot a cylinder full of carry loads at the end of the practice session."

I can add but one thought to that: from a 642 snubby, the FBI load should be Remington's, not Federal's or Winchester's. Their bullets are more hardcast than Remington's and therefore have less chance of expanding in jello and other such -- um -- materials, than Remington's almost pure lead bullets (www.brassfetcher.com, www.hipowersandhandguns.net). That is what Stephen Camp carries in his 642, and what I carrie in my 637 -- the visible hammer version of your 642.

For range ammo, I agree with several posters above: 148gr LWC. I get mine from www.mastercast.net. I have fired off more than 6,000 of Mastercast's reloads without a single problem. Reliable, inexpensive, prompt. Highly recommended. You can really save money by sending them your brass in exchange (same type and quantity). If you choose to do this, send it USPS Priority Mail. I send off a thousand cases that way for nine dollars and change. Any other way I know of costs more than twenty dollars.

And, by the way, you may find the 148gr WC a bit hurty on your hand also (I do, but my hand is 77 years old). If so, check Mastercast's 100gr LWC. I tested 500 of them, found them accurate at least to 10 yards and, at 600 fps about as punishing as a .22. As for your SD/HD load, as has been pointed out above, if you have to use it for its intended purpose, you won't even notice the flash, bang and recoil -- until later, when someone says something you and you say, "What?"

I think you would accept that. I will, but then I donated much of my hearing to Naval Aviation, so I don't have that much left to part with.

Good luck,
Jack

 

[Old Navy]

Even after taking the ) out of the first link it still does not open.

 

[tray]

I too practice with .38 special loads but carry Buffalo Bore 38+p 158GR LSWC-HP.

 

[safearm]

I carry a 442 with Speer GD 125 grain JHP +P.

 

[moolan1]

You're asking about the best ammo for a little 38? Man please! You don't need anything special,just be a good shot. Most ones are killed by 22's,think about it.

 

[markmc]

I bought some Georgia Arms 158 gr lswc hp +P at the gun show. They were inexpensive.I had read a lot of discussion on penetration and such using snubbies and just thought I would try some.
I know this is not a very scientific test-- but
me and my wife put some through my 642-it has crimson trace overmold grips and really tames the recoil. At 5 yards they blew right through a 2x4 at point of aim and were comfortable to me and my wife. Each made a nickle to a quarter size hole coming out-never found a whole bullet.

 

[epj]

Surprisingly, only one poster recommended changing the grips. That's the first thing that went on my 642, even before a trigger job, which it sorely needed. A proper set of grips will make the +P's relatively easy to handle and probably improve accuracy as well. At the cost of a little bit of concealibility , of course.

 

[oscarswanson]

Interesting read on Gold dot 135 gr.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot27_2.htm

 

[Robert B]

I don't understand why you guys think that 38 spc +P are so great. They rarely even meet the FBI standards for penetration of 12 inches through all the barriers. Buffalo Bore loads some that meet the FBI criteria, but they say that those loads are loaded to low end 357 mag. I love my J frame, but it's a 357 mag and I shoot the gold dot short barrel 135 grain 357s.

 

[photoman]

Originally posted by Robert B:
I don't understand why you guys think that 38 spc +P are so great.

Every person has to work out their own plan of defense. I shoot the .38 Special better than the .357 Magnum in the J frame so that's what I use.

 

[Dale53]

>>>I shoot the .38 Special better than the .357 Magnum in the J frame so that's what I use.<<<

BINGO!

Dale53

 

[myanof]

Originally posted by backalow:
I used to shoot 125g Nyclads but you can't get them anymore. A good compromise from the Gold Dot's which are probably one of the best rounds on the market would be 125g Remington Golden Sabres. I'm not sure I would want to shoot 158's out of that gun and definately not while practicing. I carry 125g Gold Dot's in mine, I figure if I have to use it, the recoil will be the least of my worries.

FYI-Federal is producing Nyclads again.

 

[shurhouse]

FYI-Federal is producing Nyclads again.

I've heard this everywhere but haven't seen any yet. Where are they all at?

 

[Vistula]

Hornady Critical Defense - They use the same powder mix they use in their TAPS. Major reduction in muzzle flash. The only problem will be finding some. They are very popular and hard to find.

 

[myanof]

Originally posted by eddieb:
I practice with .38 special and carry Buffalo Bore 38+p 158gr LSWC. I really don't believe that the 642 was intended to be a target or plinking gun. If you ever needed it for self defense, you probably would never feel the recoil, and your social occasion will be over in less than 5 shots anyway.

I hear this statement all the time about not feeling recoil in a SD situation, but I must take issue with this. It isn't the felt recoil one should worry about; it is the ability to put multiple shots on target quickly. Well placed multiple shots is more important that power or recoil or type of ammo. My goal is to the carry the most effective ammo I can shoot quickly and accurately with one or two hand shooting.

 

[Dale53]

I hear this statement all the time about not feeling recoil in a SD situation, but I must take issue with this. It isn't the felt recoil one should worry about; it is the ability to put multiple shots on target quickly. Well placed multiple shots is more important that power or recoil or type of ammo. My goal is to the carry the most effective ammo I can shoot quickly and accurately with one or two hand shooting.


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BINGO!!

Dale53