+P 125gr 38 vs. 125gr JHP 357 Magnum?

[elcruisr]

I don't undetstand the fasination with ultra light magnum revolvers. Might as well play tag with a moving truck on the highway if you're going to carry a round that gives the pistol it's best performance. I often carry a stainless 649 with an ugly Hogue Monogrip and yes, I happen to like full house Remington 125's. Call me old fasioned.

With enough practice they are controllable but only because it's not a featherweight. I started with revo's, transitioned to auto's but I'm really starting to like revo's again.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree if you're woried about the abuse a 125gr .357 Magnum will take on your M19 shoot a 145/158gr bullet instead. Yes the 125gr .357 Magnum is supposed to be T H E man-stopper but a slightly heavier bullet isn't far behind.

I sometimes carry a S&W M640 and when I do it's loaded with 145gr Winchester STHP .357 Magnum ammo. It's accurate and I have no doubt it will do the job it was made to do, stop the bad guy.

As for the Speer 135gr SB Magnum rounds, IMO they are a waste of money even when shot in a 12oz Airlite revolver. The 135gr SB .38 Special +P rounds are rated at ~900 fps from a 2" barrel whereas the 135gr SB Magnum rounds are rated at 990 fps. For that little advantage they aren't worth twice the price, again, IMO. They were designed for those Airlite 12oz Magnum revolvers so the owners could shoot something that called a Magnum and won't feel like they wasted their money on a revolver that's too light to shoot with the caliber it was made for. It's all marketing and those rounds are way too expensive for what you get.

When bought in "bulk" the Speer 135gr .38 Special +P SB ammo is $26/50 rounds, the 135gr .357 Magnum SB ammo is $50/50 rounds. I can't imagine what the 20 rounds boxes go for...

 

[flop-shank]

ArchAngel, last I saw prices on 20 rd. boxes they were about the same. I use SB .357 in my 360 PD and prefer them to SB .38+P. When I fired each type into four layer denim/Perma-Gel, the +P failed to expand. The .357 didn't. There is a difference.

elcruisr, our locale may have an influence on our opinion regarding ultra light weight revolvers. They don't cause a jacket to sag nearly as much as a steel gun. FWIW, I prefer steel snubs when possible too.

 

[elcruisr]

Jacket......jacket. OH! That thing you wear when it get's cold? Yeah, that's right. I got one of them in the bottom of a locker! Use it maybe one, two weeks a year. ;-)

 

[ArchAngelCD]

ArchAngel, last I saw prices on 20 rd. boxes they were about the same. I use SB .357 in my 360 PD and prefer them to SB .38+P. When I fired each type into four layer denim/Perma-Gel, the +P failed to expand. The .357 didn't. There is a difference.

elcruisr, our locale may have an influence on our opinion regarding ultra light weight revolvers. They don't cause a jacket to sag nearly as much as a steel gun. FWIW, I prefer steel snubs when possible too.

I didn't realize the 20 round boxes were close to the same price. The 50 rounds boxes are very different in price with the .38 Special +P SB ammo being the best buy.