Well Armed
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I don't know why they would post numbers out of an almost 5" barrel knowing that their target audience will be carrying it in a 2"-3" barrel.
Favorite 38 spl self defense load
- Thread starter Wfevans4
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Sebago Son
Member
Of late I've been filling up my Model 60s with the new PPU .38 load, the 158 grain SWC-Hollow Point. It's advertised velocity is 900 FPS and you can believe it. I bought a couple of cases of it.
I feel "protected" no matter what I'm carrying. On the few occasions a full size auto might be noticed I will load the 642 with either the ^ PPU SWC load or these "Ranger" HP's that I got cheap in 2019. Joe
STORMINORMAN
Member
Must be a load of bears (and/or two-legged predators?) in The Pine Tree State to shoot up cases of LSWC-HPs being shot 5 at a time...?
Cheers!
P.S. Any idea how hard these projectiles are?
Cheers!
P.S. Any idea how hard these projectiles are?
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taz666
Member
millerj7
Member
That was what we used to do in the 70s., but there were reports of the "skirts" separating from the base and creating a barrel obstruction. Plus due to the preponderance of lawyers, it became frowned upon to make something that would hurt the "bad guys" (??) When Federal recently came out with essentially the same thing, but jacketed and optimized for short barrelled revolvers, it became my go-to loading.
I tried to find info on Federal's site, but it appears to have been discontinued. Luckily, I bought some extra,and there should be some still around on shelves. Here is a write-up...
Just speaking for myself, not convinced it is the best option, just what works for me. YMMV. Although I stand by my +P statement.
Yeah, I should have worded it differently. Everyone has their opinion on what's best for them and the opinions are all over the place. There's never anything close to a consensus.
Same, for my daily 642 (but no fun to shoot out of a 14 oz air weight) should be sweet out of his Model 19, 4” barrel.
Home » Handgun Ammunition » Heavy .38 Special +P Ammo
ZoomHeavy .38 Special +P Pistol and Handgun Ammo a
SKU: 20A/20Price:
$38.33
Qty: - +
Heavy .38 Special +P Ammo
158 gr. L.S.W.C.H.P. - G.C. - (1,000 fps/M.E. 351 ft.lbs.)
20 Round Box
Item 20A/20 is the terrific SOFT lead semi-wadcutter hollow cavity bullet; however, we've added a gas check to stop the leading that this load typically causes with other manufacturers' versions of this bullet.
The tactical reload:
Short (2 to 2.5-inch) barreled revolvers have short ejectors. Those short ejectors typically used on 2-inch to 2.5-inch barreled revolvers are not long enough to fully eject 357 Magnum brass. So if you are forced into a situation where you need to reload your weapon under fire, you will find yourself picking your fired/empty 357 brass out of the cylinder one at a time - this is very bad. On the other hand, 38SPL brass is shorter than 357 brass, and those short ejectors will often fully eject 38SPL brass. We have experimented a great deal with short-barreled revolvers and have found that 38SPL brass normally offers an advantage if you need to reload your "snub nose" revolver in a hurry.
Check out the velocities below that I fired from my personal revolvers. We believe that real-world, stock, "over-the-counter" guns give real-world results, so we don't advertise velocities that are fired from long test barrels.
These 38SPL+P loads are generating low-end 357 Magnum ballistics. If you have an older or more fragile 38SPL, or if you are recoil sensitive, consider using our HVY Standard Pressure 38SPL ammunition. It is safe to be fired in any 38SPL revolver, and it still packs much more punch than ordinary 38SPL ammo.
Item 20A: 158gr., very soft cast, semi-wad cutter, (Keith) hollow cavity, with a gas check. This bullet will mushroom violently on impact and will penetrate roughly 14 inches in human flesh. Again, this bullet is gas-checked and will not lead your barrel.
> 1,040 fps (379 ft. lbs.) -- S&W mod. 60, 2-inch
> 1,059 fps (393 ft. lbs.) -- S&W mod. 66, 2.5-inch
> 1,143 fps (458 ft. lbs.) -- Ruger SP101, 3-inch
> 1,162 fps (474 ft. lbs.) -- S&W Mt. Gun, 4-inch
I use only one 38 Spl load in only one 38 Spl revolver and have since 1982; brand is immaterial as long as it is major. I usually carry 40 or 45, not often 38 any longer.
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Sebago Son
Member
They appear to be very soft... I usually have my HKS loaders stuffed with a JHP round as they get beat on and the soft lead deforms....
When I was on Lansing, Michigan PD in 1965, we were issued some type of “armor piercing” .38 Special ammo to be carried in every other chamber in our 6 shot Colt revolvers. If I remember correctly (and that is a crap shoot 
), it was a fully metal jacketed pointed bullet. The other chambers were loaded with standard lead round nose.
I think the idea was to be a little more effective on car doors.
PS: We also carried ax handles instead of standard riot sticks.
That was a really cool department back then.
TJ
), it was a fully metal jacketed pointed bullet. The other chambers were loaded with standard lead round nose.I think the idea was to be a little more effective on car doors.
PS: We also carried ax handles instead of standard riot sticks.
That was a really cool department back then.
TJ
First two rds are Speer HBWC loaded upside down; remainder are Keith 173 gr cast over 10.5 2400. This is regardless of gun or bbl length.
"KTW" ammo. Not especially useful for a beat cop. JoeWhen I was on Lansing, Michigan PD in 1965, we were issued some type of “armor piercing” .38 Special ammo to be carried in every other chamber in our 6 shot Colt revolvers. If I remember correctly (and that is a crap shoot
TJ
Did you work with Dennis Shaw? I think he started in '69 or '70 after Vietnam.When I was on Lansing, Michigan PD in 1965, we were issued some type of “armor piercing” .38 Special ammo to be carried in every other chamber in our 6 shot Colt revolvers. If I remember correctly (and that is a crap shoot
I think the idea was to be a little more effective on car doors.
PS: We also carried ax handles instead of standard riot sticks.
That was a really cool department back then.
TJ
Squib_Load
Member
When I carry my 2" RIA Model 206 it's loaded with 158 gr LSWCs.
fatcat3
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Nha, I'm just a prick by nature.
speaking for myself only I got where you were going.
In a steel frame Model 36 or Model 60 135-gr +P Gold Dots, in one of my vintage Airweights, Double Tap 148-gr WC…
You should love the hell out of these! 13" of penetration and .73" of expansion, according to the Lucky Gunner tests!
I take seriously that SD is close in, whether at home or out and about.
That being the case, my initial four rounds are 158 grs of #6 lead shot, in a Speer
capsule, over 3.6 grs of Red Dot. Following rounds, should any be necessary, are 158 gr wadcutters over the same propellant.
Both have proven themselves on an old piece of carpet hung on a rope. I would not want
to be their target.
BUT...... bottom line is that I really hope to never need to go beyond the piece of carpet.
That being the case, my initial four rounds are 158 grs of #6 lead shot, in a Speer
capsule, over 3.6 grs of Red Dot. Following rounds, should any be necessary, are 158 gr wadcutters over the same propellant.
Both have proven themselves on an old piece of carpet hung on a rope. I would not want
to be their target.
BUT...... bottom line is that I really hope to never need to go beyond the piece of carpet.
