newb with .38 ammo questions

Prime Winner

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Im going to start using my S&W 12-4 as my carry weapon, after carrying glocks and XDs for the last few years. this is my first revolver so Im really clueless on the ammo side. does it matter if I buy standard or +P ammo? I cant find any .38 ammo at wally world. I did stop at a gun store last night and they wanted $30 for a box of 20 count, Gold Dot, personal protection rounds. also, for a box of 50 standard rounds, they wanted $47. I left empty handed.

Im going to a gun show tomorrow to try to find some "affordable" ammo. whats a decent price for .38 ammo?

thanks !
 
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The premium self defense ammo is a rip off, but I usually suck it up and buy it. Most average $23 for a box of 20 or 25, depends on where you buy it. It can go as high as $30. I normally shoot 10 to function check and get the velocity from my 2" snubby, then I have enough for a cylinder full and 1-2 reloads.

The best deal per round is the white box Winchester Self Defense at Wal-Mart, but they rarely have it in stock.
 
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Both +P and standard pressure ammo will sting your hand with the Model 12, more so with the +P. A moderator on this forum once did a thousand round +P ammo test in a Model 12, and there were measured changes to the gun, but nothing serious. I carry standard loads in my M12, but either would be fine. It is an excellent CCW choice, and congrats on finding a 12-4, they are scarce.
 
I will take all those funky M12s off your hands! No really, like a lot of folks have advised here, try several different types and brands and carry the one that is the most accurate for you. I usually carry an "FBI" - type load. I still have a bunch of Federal 158gr, LHPWC .38+Ps in my K-frames, but usually carry something a bit more tame, in .38 spl in my light-wieght J-frames. Maybe practice w/ wadcutters and carry something like the Buffalo Bore or Speer .38 spl short-barrel load. My 2cw
 
I have been handloading .38 Spls. for 35+ years, but for carrying ammo I "bite the bullet" and buy Speer's .38+P load or Remington's 158 gr. SWCHP.

Yes, premium factory rounds are pricey, but you spent more money buying a S&W instead of a (whatever), so the extra cost for top-quality ammo is money well spent. My 2 cents.
 
Im going to start using my S&W 12-4 as my carry weapon, does it matter if I buy standard or +P ammo? I cant find any .38 ammo at wally world. ..
Im going to a gun show tomorrow to try to find some "affordable" ammo. whats a decent price for .38 ammo?
thanks !

Get some cheap 148 gr wadcutters for range practice.

Then get a couple boxes of this for CARRY..

453925.jpg


It's standard pressure 158gr - won't hurt your model 12

:)
 
A plus for the Remington 158 LSWC HP's. The Remington load use's a very soft lead bullet that accually expand's, even at low velocity's.
 
The 158 gr LSWCHP +P is the traditional load for the .38 Special. Lots of people swear by it and it has a good track record by all accounts.

The Speer 135 gr Gold Dot HP +P is a challenger. It's the .38 Special load designed for snubbies at the request of the NYPD and it gets really good reviews from those who have used it in gunfights.

Another round that gets good reviews is the CorBon DPX 110 gr. +P. I've shot it...it's accurate from my J-frame snubbies but it is ungodly expensive.

The Federal Nyclad 125 gr HP is respected by a lot of folks who use standard pressure rounds in their .38's.

And then there are the Winchester Rangers, Remington Golden Sabres, PMC Starfires and a lot of other relatively "new technology" rounds. All of them have their fans.

And some old tech rounds like the Federal (wide mouth) and Remington (scalloped jacket) 125 gr JHP +P that are no slouches either.

Bottom line is that there are a lot of good rounds out there. None of them make the .38 Special a One-Shot-Stop Wondergun. But you have some great choices.

Personally, I wouldn't feel undergunned with any of the above.
 
Dogguy did much of my work for me with his excellent post. Notice that the top three loads he listed are three different weights. Your gun will very likely print one of them to POA. Speer 135 gr. SB and DPX are great rounds if you anticipate needing something that will do well against auto glass.

Remington 125 gr. SJHP is often available in 100 rd. bulk packs as part of Remington's UMC line. It is a real bang-for-the-buck champion.

If you are really a tightwad, target wadcutters, while not as good as any of the above listed loads, work reasonably well and allow for machinegun-like follow up shots.
 
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