cartridge choice for 642

[corgiS&W]

I have two boxes of cartridges on my shelf that I purchased several years ago, probably at the GS suggestion. One is Winchester .38 Special +P 130 gr. SXT, and the other is Federal .38 Special +P 110 gr. HI-SHOK. Both are jacketed hollow point. Which would be the preferred for my 642? How about for my 1975 67 NS gun, which currently is loaded with 158 gr, JHP? How would these two cartridges differ when shooting? I also carry (sometimes) a Colt Magnum Carry, but usually keep it loaded with .38s. Is this a good or bad idea.

 

[sipowicz]

Try half a box of each and see which one shoots better.

Why would carrying 38s be a bad idea?

 

[Old cop]

The 158 grain lead HP +P .38 has the best record on the street of any .38.

 

[David Sinko]

The lighter bullets will most likely shoot low. Every S&W .38 snub that I have ever used shot right to the sights with 158 gr. bullets and 125 gr. bullets always shot a few inches lower. It's possible that you might have to hold up just a bit of front sight to get the light bullets to shoot where you're looking. You'll need to know this, because contrary to what some believe a shooting really can be justifiable beyond arm's length. Try the loads you want to use and see what happens.

Dave Sinko

 

[corgiS&W]

Thanks, guys. I'll take all three to the range this weekend.

 

[Pioneer461]

With proper ammo, a .38 can be an excellent self defense choice.

By "proper" ammo, I mean something more than your average off the shelf hollow points. In short barrel firearms, ammunition looses a lot of energy and terminal performance. For my and my wife's J frames, we carry Speer Gold Dot, Short Barrel ammo. It is 135 gr, +P, and the bullets are engineered to fully penetrate and expand at lower velocities common to short barrel guns.

Hornady has their Critical Defense line of ammo, and the .38 & .38 +P rounds have similar short barrel technology.

Ammo has come a long way since the J frames were designed and they can be much more effective than in years past.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Corbon DPX. Or Federal Nyclad.

 

[off road]

Hornaday Critical Defense!

 

[ABCDE]

I used to shoot 158gr+P LSWCHP out of my M60 (38SPL only model).
Recoil made follow-up shots slower.

Recently switched to 135gr+P Gold Dot HP Short Barrel.
Way less recoil, and it shot close enough to POA.

 

[26Ford]

X2 on the Hornady.

 

[photoman]

If your gun "likes" it and you can shoot it well in your gun, I highly recommend CorBon DPX. The Barnes bullet used in that load is one of the best available. It is a bit expensive but worth it in my opinion as the .38 Special needs all the help it can get.

 

[Rick Shaw]

Cor-Bon DPX +

I am a HUGE fan of the Cor-Bon DPX out of my 442. It fortunately hits where I aim, recoil is manageable...and expansion appears to be very reliable and substantial.

I switched to the DPX after many years of running with the Federal Nyclad 158. Haven't looked back.

Rick

 

[bronco45]

I live in central Idaho where SD is interpreted as Bear Defense. So 38 defense loads are lacking. Local stores do not carry Gold Dots or the FBI load in Remington or anyone else. Buffalo Bore is hard to find. Almost as hard to find as a real Idaho potato. All our spuds up here come from Walla Walla, Washington.

Went to a gunshow yesterday and lucked into some Nyclad/Federals for my 642. They shoot point of aim and this is what I will be using for a year or two. Nyclads were made for short bbl 38s.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Right now I carry Nyclads in my 642 and Speer Short-Barrel Gold Dots in my strips and speedloaders for reloads.

 

[Knightrider03m]

I carry Federal 147gr +p+

Not a bad round. Recoil is noticeable but not bad IMO

 

[Firearmsrookie]

Has anyone tried the Hornady leverevolution 357 in their 640s?