Gold dot 135+p short barrel out of model 67

[38splfan]

Hey all,

What are your thought about shooting the gold dot 135+p short barrel out of a 4” model 67? Would the velocity bump increase chances of expanding? Over expand? Under penetrate? Anyone have velocity numbers from 4” guns? Thinking of stoking my downstairs home defense model 67 with it. Any thoughts are welcome!

 

[noshow]

Not exactly

I don't have those figures for you, but I do have second hand input of NYPD's evaluation of this round. I live in NYC and belong to an outdoor range club in Staten Island since 1976. Over the years, I have spent considerable time shooting alongside many NYPD officers using revolvers. A few have have offered me gratis supplies of that load, which I graciously accepted. They say while it was created for short barrel off duty revolvers, it was the only load approved by the NYPD for use by those officers grandfathered the carry of the Mod 10 revolver while on duty. The latest skinny is that the agency no longer permits the on duty carry of any revolver and no longer provide 38 SPL ammo of any kind to officers. All that said, I load my 4" M10 with that Speer +P ammo, but my 2" M36 is fed Rem 158gr LWC. Short answer: NYPD considered that round the best performer in 4" revolvers. Sorry for the long rant

 

[riverrat38]

Lucky Gunner did tests on 38 SPL ammo in 2 and 4 inch barrels, and the Speer 135gr SB did well in the 4 inch barrel. Not so well in the 2 inch, though.
Also, check his results for the new Federal 130gr plus P HST micro ammo. It's what I use in my 2 and 3 inch carry revolvers.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/

Best,
Rick

 

[BigBoku]

I sat on the NYPD FTS R&D committee that requested Speer to produce the .38 Special 135 Grain +P GDHP and tested the product to replace the 158gr. NYCLAD SWCHP.

Speer originally declined to produce the .38 Special in 135 Grain as requested until they were told Winchester was willing to do so.

The addition of the “short barrel“ designation (jacketing change is the only difference) to the ammunition came later on.

To answer your question the difference in expansion out of 2” (860 FPS) and 4” (910 FPS) barrels were negligible.

Ultimately the .38 Special Speer 135gr. +P GDHP replaced the Federal 158gr. +P NYCLAD SWCHP as the authorized service round for all NYPD Service and Off Duty Revolvers.

Although service revolvers were phased out in 2018 and off duty/ backup revolvers have not been an option since 1997 there are still plenty of Officers left who are authorized to carry off duty/ backup revolvers for which the NYPD still issues the Speer 135gr.+P GDHP round for carry and qualification at the Semi annual range cycle.

FWIW it’s what’s in all my .38 J frames and still in my retired but very functional .38 3” and 4” K Frames

Hope this helps, Stay safe!
BB

 

[stansdds]

As I get older, I seem to be less tolerant of excessive recoil. I used to use 110 or 125 grain JHP 357 Magnum loads in my S&W Model 640-1. I now use Speer's 135 grain Gold Dot 38 Special +P Short Barrel ammo. This ammo developed a good reputation with the NYPD. As for terminal performance, a 2 inch barrel revolver is always going to have blast and velocity issues. You will get much better performance from a 3 or 4 inch barrel. If I were to select a 38 Special load for a 3 or 4 inch barrel S&W K-frame, I would still select the Speer Short Barrel load, standard pressure for older revolvers, +P for the mid-1950's and later (those with a model number stamped in the crane recess).

 

[Bill In Texas]

I really like the Speer GDSB 135 grain load. I use it in all my .38 special and.357 wheelguns regardless of barrel length. I guess I do need to say that 4" is the longest length barrel I have on any of my revolvers.

 

[Borderboss]

You should be fine with the 4" barrel, as you see in the Lucky Gunner testing. However, I prefer the Remington 125gr Golden Saber +P for my 2", 3", and 4" .38s, based on the results that Lucky Gunner got.

 

[ContinentalOp]

FWIW, I wouldn't have a problem carrying that load in a 4" revolver. I've carried it, and the .357 Magnum version, in a 3" 65.

 

[38SPL HV]

Excellent load for your Model 67, but personally I prefer the 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP in 4 inch revolvers. Win/Fed/Rem 158 gr LHP +P versions all work well in your service size revolver.

 

[Fide686]

In all my carry revolvers

I chronographed the +P GDSB 135 gr.:

686-4 2 1/2" 935 fps
65-3 4". 1000 fps

I carry in 2 1/2 & 3" revolvers. No need to go with the extra blast of magnum GDSB. Excellent accuracy. Best accuracy of any factory rounds tried.

 

[Nevada Ed]

With a 4" .38 Special barrel..................

the 158gr "FBI Load" will pick up any "Slack" that the lighter bullets run into !!

More popcorn.............