Low flash 38 special.

[kelljor]

I have a 442, and a ruger lcr. I carry both of them with wadcutters in the cylinder. I carry Critical Defense as reloads, mainly because of the ease in reloading with speed loaders or strips. I can control the CDs and would carry them as primary defense loads (the ballistics I have researched are awesome) but for one problem. With those loads I get quite a bit of flash between the cylinder and forcing cone, not a problem during the day but since I use those guns for home defense, it would be blinding at night. Probably in a dark parking lot too. WCs don't seem to have nearly as much flash.
So the question, I guess, is this: I am looking for a reliable Hollow Point that doesn't flash much, preferably not at all, out of a snubby. I prefer the lighter bullets but could live with up to 130 grains, and would like the felt recoil to be as close to 148gr wadcutters as possible; a bit more wouldn't be a problem. Critical Defense penetrates well and expands consistantly out of a snubby, but there are so many different kinds on the market I would go broke trying all of them.
Looking to carry the same round summer and winter (more clothing in the winter) for simplicity.
Any and all input is graciously accepted. Thanks.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... I use those guns for home defense, it would be blinding at night. Probably in a dark parking lot too.

Any and all input is graciously accepted. Thanks.

It's a Training Issue. Don't over think it. You should take Professional Training. In Classes, they can have you experience shooting in darkness without hearing protection.

 

[chief38]

You could try a box of Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P GDHP's. Those along with the Buffalo Bore +P 158 Grain LSWCHP-GC are two of the top .38 Spl. SD loads. If the Buffao Bore +P is a bit too much in the recoil dept. for your liking, they also make the same configuration in non +P. BTW, their non +P is equivalent to most other company's +P in velocity, maybe even a bit faster.

I have shot tens of thousands of wadcutters over my 50 years of shooting for target shooting purposes only and would never ever use them as SD loads. They are relatively anemic, slow, won't expand and would probably not perform well in the penetration dept. That is just my experience and opinion though, still your choice of course.