Need an ammo recommendation

[John Wist]

I have a S&W Model 19 that I just bought as a security guard trade in from Southern California Electric (paid $200 for it and another $85 for a basic matte blue on it). I want to keep 357s in it for home defense but I have heard that you should not use 125 grain loads in it due to forcing cone cracking issues. What round would you recommend? I would also like to keep the muzzle flash to a minimum. Thanks

 

[John Wist]

I have a S&W Model 19 that I just bought as a security guard trade in from Southern California Electric (paid $200 for it and another $85 for a basic matte blue on it). I want to keep 357s in it for home defense but I have heard that you should not use 125 grain loads in it due to forcing cone cracking issues. What round would you recommend? I would also like to keep the muzzle flash to a minimum. Thanks

 

[bountyhunter]

Originally posted by John Wist:
I have a S&W Model 19 that I just bought as a security guard trade in from Southern California Electric (paid $200 for it and another $85 for a basic matte blue on it). I want to keep 357s in it for home defense but I have heard that you should not use 125 grain loads in it due to forcing cone cracking issues. What round would you recommend?

I don't use magnum rounds at all in my home defense gun because of the excessive risk of either over penetration of the target or missed shots. They can go through sheet rock and stucco walls and fly for miles. I load mine with Winchester 130 grain .38 +p rounds. I think any premium quality +p defense round is good. Shot placement is 1000X more important than ballistics, so get one that shoots to point of aim and practice shooting it.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

I use Speer 135 grain JHPs, or Federal 158 grain Hydra-shoks. Both .357. for carry. If I loaded up a revolver for home defense, I would probably use the same ammo. My .357s are L-Frames though, not K-frames, so there is a bunch more weight to soak up recoil. If I had a 66 K-frame, I might think about the same Speer 135 gr. JHP, but in .38 special +P.

WG840

 

[retired2006]

For my 4" model 66, I like to use 38 special 158 LSWC HP +P, in either Federal or Remington brand.
I find the 357 mag loads have a lot of noise, blast, and recoil in a revolver that light.
I like the 125 gr JHP 357mag Federal load for my 586.

 

[Cruiser RN]

+1 on the Speer JHP 135 grain +P rounds.Developed in conjunction with NYPD to not loose velocity in snub nosed revolvers.

 

[John Wist]

the 135 grain speer gold dot is that the short barrel round?

 

[rburg]

I'd suggest you consider some of the Glaser safety rounds. I'm not suggesting you use them, just that you consider them.

Something many people overlook with home defense rounds is muzzle flash. Test them in the dark before you make your decision.

Deciding things based on words is easy. Probably not the best way to determine the best load for you, but talk is fun (and cheap.) What I'd suggest you do is settle on a group of candidate rounds. Don't finalize anything, just come up with a list. It helps they be commonly available to you locally. Buy a box or two of each and go to the range. Test shoot them. Consider the recoil, and the accuracy. From the selection, you'll come up with more than one acceptable one. Before you make any kind of final decision, find a place where its safe to shoot after dark. Try a gunload of each. You can even film it!

You'd be shocked at the differences in flash out of them. Some are relatively tame. Others might roast your adversary even if you miss. The problem is you'll probably also be blinded by the worst of the loadings. Which is why you may decide to settle on a lower power loading (think .38 +P) than the magnums.

In my sordid past, we even did some tests. We used an old fashioned film camera on a tripod. It allowed the use of an open shutter with nearly no ambient light. Each shot issues some flash. The best/worst are truly impressive. Think full power 357s and Blue Dot. Wow. 5 to 7 feet of fire! Great fun shooting when you can see it. Maybe not the best to use in your bedroom or hallway.

 

[yugolovr]

I only use the 125 grain sjhp magnum loading for carry in my model 66. When practicing I use .38s. Since you are wanting a home defense round I would use any of the low recoil magnum loads, or Remington's 158 grain swchp.

 

[pred]

A 38 wad cutter with 158gr bullet, It is slow, a tad heavier, But follow up shots are easy to get back on target fast. Low recoil, and lets face it, No matter what you shoot, Placement is what you need more than +Ps or 357 house loads.
I would try shooting a few brands/loads and some wad cutters and whatever you are most comfortable with!
Peter.

 

[bountyhunter]

One of the good things about the Winchester 130gr +p (.38 sp) defense rounds is they shoot to exactly the same point of impact as the standard 158 gr commercial .38 ammo, also have same flash and recoil feel in my 66. You can practice with the regular 158 gr stuff and it shoots the same as the expensive defense ammo.

 

[bountyhunter]

Originally posted by yugolovr:
I only use the 125 grain sjhp magnum loading for carry in my model 66. When practicing I use .38s.

That's the problem. They don't kick the same, don't flash the same, and don't hit the same POI.

 

[Guest]

Federal HydraShok bullets in any of the loadings that suit you.

You can forget the 125 grain cracking the forcing cone idea. That "was" a problem about 30+ Years ago when one of the ammo makers decided they needed to make really "Hot" loads and did it the wrong way. That particular Company is no longer in business but the BS will live forever!!!

 

[stevieboy]

I don't shoot magnums with my 66. Call me a wuss but the recoil is more than a bit annoying. Now, on the other hand, there's nothing I won't shoot from my 686.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by stevieboy:
I don't shoot magnums with my 66. Call me a wuss but the recoil is more than a bit annoying. Now, on the other hand, there's nothing I won't shoot from my 686.

Have you tried putting a set of "Rubbers" before using .357s in your 66??? It won't make it look any prettier but it will tame the recoil a whole bunch.

 

[bountyhunter]

Originally posted by KKG:

Originally posted by stevieboy:
I don't shoot magnums with my 66. Call me a wuss but the recoil is more than a bit annoying. Now, on the other hand, there's nothing I won't shoot from my 686.

Have you tried putting a set of "Rubbers" before using .357s in your 66??? It won't make it look any prettier but it will tame the recoil a whole bunch.

+1 Pachmayr decelerator grips are made for this.

 

[bassoneer]

+1 Pachmayr decelerator grips are made for this.

I ordered decelerator grips for my 686P and they didn't fit right. I ended up screwing around with the grips, trying to remove material from the inside, but still couldn't get them on right. I then purchased the old "gripper" grips and put them on - fit perfect. Not as much deceleration, but better than nothing. Has anybody else had a problem with the decelerator grips fitting on a 686P L frame round butt? Later, B

 

[frag]

Remington 125 grain jacketed hollowpoints or the same in federal....cheaper, older school answer.

Another old school answer is Winchester Silvertip 145 grain. Lower report and flash for indoor work.

and I'd have no problem trusting my life with 158 gr Federal Hydra-shock ammo. I do think the name Hydra-shock leaves alot of room for a creative attorney at a civil trial though.

 

[bountyhunter]

Originally posted by bassoneer:

+1 Pachmayr decelerator grips are made for this.

I ordered decelerator grips for my 686P and they didn't fit right. I ended up screwing around with the grips, trying to remove material from the inside, but still couldn't get them on right. I then purchased the old "gripper" grips and put them on - fit perfect. Not as much deceleration, but better than nothing. Has anybody else had a problem with the decelerator grips fitting on a 686P L frame round butt? Later, B

No, I have them on my 686 and several 66's. Sounds like you got a bad one.