model 37 defense bullets ?

[rebs081]

You guys that carry a snub nose 38 like the model 37, what do you load in it for a self defense load ? I don't believe I want to shoot +P rounds in this gun as I doubt there is any advantage in +P's in a 2 inch barrel. Am I right ?

 

[Quakertown]

What's right is good shot placement. A center-mass hit with a 158gr LSWC is better than a shoulder hit with a 125gr JHP +p. I reload, and have 158gr LSWC-HP's on hand that are loaded to +p because I don't have a snub, but instead a 4" model 64. If I did have a snub and was going to carry it(after all, what else is a snub good for but carry) I would practice with what I were to carry with it. If you're gun is not +p rated, then I would not suggest shooting +p.

 

[Old cop]

There is enough of an advantage that I've always carried the +P FBI load. The advantage specifically (according to Steven Camp) is that the +P round will penetrate enough to hit internal organs. Remember that a confrontation will not necessarily be face-to-face. It may involve an arm you need to go through to hit internal organs. My 442 is not +P rated and if I had to use it, and the round ruined the frame but saved me, I would not care. The gun will be tied up in a police evidence locker for quite awhile anyway.

Any good +P hollow point load will work w/good shot placement. I know b/c I had to use my 2" service revolver during my LEO days.

Load with confidence, practice often and hope you never have to use this skill.

 

[stu1ritter]

I also have a 37 that I carry. I have never worried about +P ammunition in a carry situation. I practice mainly with soft loads but occasionally empty the cylinder on my carry loads "just to stay in touch". Presently I am carrying Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 gr. +P. The muzzle energy on this +P load is the same as most commercially loaded standard 158 gr. LSWC so I feel very confident this +P will not disturb the frame of my 37. If I had to use the 37 and the frame was damaged, oh well, it did its job, thank you. I've been shooting the 37 since I bought it in 1978 so I'm really not very worried. AND as everyone else has stated, shot placement is what really matters.
Stu

 

[Triggernosis]

Speer Gold Dot non-+P. Go to ATK ammunition and look for it.

 

[mc5aw]

There's a wide selection of .38 Special hollow point self defense rounds that you can choose from that are cost effective, as well as perfectly suitable for your purposes. I carry a 37 in rotation on a regular basis, and run different 158s through it. Older J-frames are not rated for +P, so it's not an option in many small revolvers. I've never bought into the +P sales pitch, contrary to ballistics, etc. ... if I want a bigger bang for my buck, I go to a different caliber completely.

Remember this ... the .38 Special has a long tradition of being the round of choice for LEO and civilians alike for many decades. Technology continues to progress by making more efficient projectiles, but the .38 Special has endured for a reason.

 

[murphydog]

Any standard pressure .38 load (130 gr FMJ or 158 RNL excepted) that you can afford to buy in quantity and practice with regularly. As mentioned above, you might shoot it loose earlier with regular +P use, but if you can't practice with it regularly you won't be as familiar if you need it in an emergency.

 

[kudzu3]

Not an expert, nor am I speaking from experience, but I have read so many times over the years that the 148 grn target load is as good as any and better than most out of a short .38. The late, great Skeeter Skelton preferred them loaded backward, with the hollow base forward for expansion. When I carry my model 60, it is loaded with this round.

 

[model3sw]

Love the model 37 but 2 problems. I have large hands, so harder for me to hold with stock grips than a smaller guy. I have the same issue with a 36 but more emphasized with the 37. I changed grips to Pachmyer's with finger grooves. 2nd is the light 37 kicks hard with almost any ammo. I have a few old boxes of S&W Nyclad Hollow-Point.38 special (NOT +P). I think the most important concern would be to hit your target and to hit it with something that would stop it. I even load these .38 Special (NON +P) Nyclads in my Mid frame .357 for home self defense. Increases the control immensely .

 

[hotrod150]

I don't have a model 37 (yet) but I do have a modern 442 that sees carry use along with my two old pinned-barrel Chiefs. The 442 is rated for +P, but I shoot (and carry) the same load in all of them, a handloaded 158 grain soft lead SWC hollowpoint. Loaded close to the upper end of standard (not +P) pressures, it comes out of these 2-inchers at somewhere between 800-850. This is a standard pressure version of the much talked about "FBI load". I think several different ammo mfr's sell something very similar.

 

[Beach-Hunter]

I have always liked 158 LSWC-HP +P FBI load

I have not used this round on a human target..but in a pinch saw in take a White tailed Spike that was 125lbs one shot broadside round was mushroomed in other side shoulder. I have used it to take a couple coyote's and one pig. The pig was 15ft away rapid fire 1 head shot, 1into leftside of chest 1 round behind left leg. It folded up fell dead at our feet. Yes a clothing change was in order after!! Hope I never have to do that again! I have always carried the 158 LSWC-HP +P in all of my .38's and .357's w/under under 4" bbl's.

 

[riverrat38]

We can't expect everything with a 2 inch barrel and standard pressure. I would be concerned about penetration with an expanding bullet at standard pressure. I would look at a non HP SWC if I wanted to avoid plus P. Or, a hardcast, 148 gr WC like Double Tapp makes. It is about 100 FPS faster than a target WC. BB makes a non plus P WC, but it is about 100 FPS faster than the Double Tapp, and kicks like a plus P, but shouldn't hurt the gun. I like WC's, but they shoot quite high in my M442, so I am using the Speer 135 gr SB plus P for carry and practicing with 125 gr non plus P reloads.

Rick

 

[Doug M.]

The Speer SB 135 grain +P seems to be pretty heavily recommended by those in the know. I find it more unpleasant to shot than I would expected, in fact worse than the 200 grain gold dot in my M296. I have gone full reactionary and prefer either 148grain WC or 158+ grain SWCs in .38 special revolvers, especially snubbies. There is little likely benefit to expansion, if it occurs, at this performance level.

 

[pete950]

I carry Double Tap full wadcutters in mine accurate and a little hotter than normal but not +P. they get 740 fps out of a 2 inch.

 

[JayHutch]

Speer Gold Dot 135 non +P in my Model 37 snubby.

 

[photoman]

Some of my favorites:

110gr Hornady FTX (standard pressure)
110gr Remington SJHP
148gr Federal Gold Match wadcutter

If you can shoot the +P ammo well in your gun, by all means use it. The Speer Gold Dot 135gr short barrel load is probably the best of the +P bunch.

 

[photoman]

Speer Gold Dot 135 non +P in my Model 37 snubby.

I'm not aware of a standard pressure Gold Dot load with the 135gr bullet. Speer does make a 125gr Gold Dot in standard pressure.

 

[smokey04]

I appreciate the timeliness of this thread. I just bought a Mod. 36 made in 1953, and while I won't carry this on a regular basis I do want to use it some when the nostalgia strikes me.
I have about 100 hollow based 147gr. wadcutters loaded as "Saint Skeeter" preached but I loaded these years ago for use in a .357 Ruger so, I'm guessin' they approach +P. I loaded these for my mother 'cause I knew she couldn't deal with Mag rounds.Although I marked the boxes well dear old mom decided that she needed to unbox the rounds and pour them in a large coffee can.[Red neck reloader?] so, I'm keeping them for .357 rated guns.
I have not reloaded in years[lost my gear in a flood] but I have thought of buying a box or two of 147/148 gr. target loads and knocking the bullets out so I could turn them over and reseat them with a Lee hand loader set up. It's a thought! Nick

 

[rebs081]

I bought a box of Hornady 125 gr XTP hollow points, muzzle velocity 900 fps, 50 yards 856 fps. The design of the hollow point looks like it will expand very well and with that velocity I believe will have plenty of penetration. These are not +P. Atleast that is what I think, I am no expert though.

 

[Nedroe]

Skeeter Had It Right.....

Inverted hollow base wadcutters are the medicine for whatever is botherin' ya. My dad & his buddies did it 40 years ago, I still serve 'em up outta' my flatlatch Bodyguard.

Ned