I have a new 642 and have fired a couple of hundred 38sp range rounds (Atlanta Arms) to acclimate to the firearm and also fired about 50 rounds of Speers Gold Dot 38 +P rounds. The range rounds were easy to handle; the Gold Dots had more recoil than I expected and were a bit hard on the hands after about 25 rounds. 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.
Best Self-Defense Ammo for 642?
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I have a new 642 and have fired a couple of hundred 38sp range rounds (Atlanta Arms) to acclimate to the firearm and also fired about 50 rounds of Speers Gold Dot 38 +P rounds. The range rounds were easy to handle; the Gold Dots had more recoil than I expected and were a bit hard on the hands after about 25 rounds. 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.
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.
mnhntr
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mine loves hornady +p xtp's
bountyhunter
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Federal makes some 110-gr .38 defense loads which are not +p but have decent muzzle energy. They are intended for low recoil.
I use the 128 grain +p rounds myself, but they do kick more like a standard 158 grain .38 sp factory round. That makes it easy to practice with factory ammo and the defense rounds feel and sight in the same.
I use the 128 grain +p rounds myself, but they do kick more like a standard 158 grain .38 sp factory round. That makes it easy to practice with factory ammo and the defense rounds feel and sight in the same.
Dale53
Member
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.
Dale53
Dale53
GatorFarmer
Member
If you go to Walmart, you can buy 100rd value packs of Rem/UMC 125 gr +P JHPs. You can use these to either 1. get used to the recoil of a +P round through your revolver or 2. use them as carry ammo in a pinch.
If +P ammunition kicks too much, you could try wadcutters or semiwadcutters, or you could get a heavier revolver. There's no free lunch with Airweights and Airlites. They're easy to carry, but the effective ammunition for them isn't pleasant to fire.
If +P ammunition kicks too much, you could try wadcutters or semiwadcutters, or you could get a heavier revolver. There's no free lunch with Airweights and Airlites. They're easy to carry, but the effective ammunition for them isn't pleasant to fire.
flop-shank
US Veteran
Practice with light loads. Finish each session with a couple cylinders of the hot stuff.
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.
460v LAC du FLAMBEAU
Member
I use the Gold Dots. I apply as much grip pressure as possible with that lightweight...seems to help the recoil shock.
I love the 125gr. Nyclad hollow-points for a defense load in a 38. They aren't +P rated and are pleasant to shoot, but have a massive hollow-cavity and seem to expand very well. Federal quit making them although I have several left-over boxes, but the word out now is that they are going to manufacture Nyclad again, which is good news if it is accurate.
Jazman
Member
I like the Gold Dots in mine, ran into a good deal on them from a shop in NY state a while back and bought a case. I had my 642 ported and tuned, and added wood stocks; now it's great with the +P's.
indiandave
Member
Change your grips to ones that cover the backsrap.This will greatly reduce the felt recoil. I carry Buffalo Bore 158 LSWCHP's in std. pressure. Covering the backstrap helps alot.
If the recoil from a densive load is to much, try 148gr. wadcutters. They would put a big old hole in a bad guy. and follow up shots would be easier to manage.
If the recoil from a densive load is to much, try 148gr. wadcutters. They would put a big old hole in a bad guy. and follow up shots would be easier to manage.
flop-shank
US Veteran
+1 on target wadcutters. They will make a caliber sized hole, track straight and penetrate deep. Their recoil is ridiculously mild.
Dale53
Member
If you reload, and don't have qualms about using reloads for defense, a double ended wadcutter loaded at full charge levels (use your chronograph) makes a dandy defense load. You get full bore diameter WITHOUT the necessity to expand.
Just a thought...
Dale53
Just a thought...
Dale53
I've been shooting Rem 110gr sjhp's for defense out of a Smith mdl 37. No recoil problems. I've changed grips and will try a 125gr sjhp +p. Stay tuned.
Good luck,
milspec
Good luck,
milspec
flop-shank
US Veteran
At light target levels wads will penetrate 16". Hotrodded might do better against bone, but probably the extra velocity isn't necessary.
I practice with 148gr lead wadcutters from www.mastercast.net. They are very accurate, and only beat my hand up a little when I fire them from my 637 Airweight (the twin to your 642 with a visible hammer). I limit myself to fifty, and first put a J&J knuckle bandage on the web of my right hand. If I forget to do that, I will make -- and break -- a blister within twenty rounds. Practice with Airweights is a duty, not a pleasure. My SD/HD load is the Remington +p LSWCHP, the FBI load. The Winchester and Federal versions of this round use hardcast bullets, which probably will not expand from a snubby. The Remington load uses dead soft lead bullets which can be expected to expand from a snubby. I occasionally fire off a cylinder full of these cartridges, just to remind me of how stout they are. If I were to use them in a SD/HD situation, I doubt if I would even notice that my hand hurt (or that my ears were ringing). The Speer 135gr +p Gold Dot is also highly regarded, and is made specifically for snubbies.
Cordially, Jack
Cordially, Jack
remat457
Member
I like the Speer GoldDot 135gr +P. A new one I just picked up today is the new Hornady Critical Defense. It should be good.
Back in the '70s I experimented with loading Speer 148 grain hollow-base swaged wadcutters upside-down with the hollow base forming a massive hollow-cavity facing forward. They actually shot quite well and when fired into water would expand to about 3/4 of an inch even at low velocities. They didn't penetrate real far either, so I thought of them as a potentially decent defensive-round against human targets and carried them in my Model 67 for a number of years.
In this era where a lawsuit seems to arise out of every death that occurs, even if it is an 87 year-old in poor health, I am personally of the view that using any sort of handload in a defensive handgun is unwise, so I don't. That's me. Not wanting to rekindle that debate, just sayin'.....
Thanks to all for the great suggestions. I think I'll take the suggestions for practicing with the range rounds but loading a couple cylinders of self-defense ammo either +P or the Federal rounds suggested at the end to acclimate to the recoil of the light firearm. My regular firearms are the Sig 239 (sweet gun) and an XD 45 compact. I was amazed at how easy even the 45 with ,45 acp +P rounds is to shoot and follow through compared to the Airweight. Have to refocus that the Airweight is a close-defense weapon and correct... won't be thinking or caring about recoil in a real-life situation. Again, the advice by all is much appreciated.
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In 38, there are two proven choices: (1) Winchester FBI load* and (2) Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel.
I would also look at the new Hornady with the red plug in the hollow point to assist in mushroom. It looks promising. I think it is called Critical Defense or something like that.
* The Winchester FBI load is the 158 grain +P Lead Hollow Point, catalog number I think ends with SPD.
Fulton722
Member
MidwayUSA has the 38+P Speer 135 gr. S.B. on sale for $20.99 / 20 rounds (#738035).
Wyatt Earp
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Don't forget to Include Remington's FBI load (R38S12) in there as well.
Buffalo Bore makes a SMOKING FBI load as well that chronos (according to BB) at 1000 fps from a 1 7/8" Model 60.
I'm novice shooter, but I took my recently purchased 642 to the range yesterday and I went through 20 Speer Gold Dots and 20 Remington Hydra-Shok loads (both are +P).
I found the Gold Dots had a bit more recoil and were a bit harder to group for accuracy. The Remingtons felt better and were more accurate for me. I decided I will be buying the Remingtons from now on.
I found the Gold Dots had a bit more recoil and were a bit harder to group for accuracy. The Remingtons felt better and were more accurate for me. I decided I will be buying the Remingtons from now on.
Old Navy
Member
Very good advice here and you would do well to follow. The 148/158 gr rounds are about the best there is from a 38 special and when loaded properly the LSWC-HP is a very deadly round and as always done the job unless having to shoot through car bodies and windshields. I use a Hornedy LSWC-HP in my 357 magnum 360Sc 12.5 oz Kit Gun because of the reduced recoil. It can't be shot properly by 99% of the people with most PP 357 loads.
Cruiser RN
Member
Hi In my 640 I use 135 grain Copper jacketed hollow point +P Speer Gold Dot short barrel for carry.This round was developed in conjunction with NYPD to not loose velocity when fired from snub nosed revolvers as compared to full sized duty revolvers......God Bless.....Mike
