Range Day-Norma .38 special

[VaTom]

Yesterday I went to the range for the first time in 2022. I had eye surgery on right eye in February to fix a macular tear. It is healing but vision is still a little off in that eye until cataract is removed. I wanted to see how I could shoot after surgery and also to try some Norma .38 Special / 158 grain I bought last year. Took a couple of scoped .22 rifles. Did okay at 50 yards. Horizonal crosshairs were a little squiggly in middle. The more difficult thing was seeing clearly / picking up the front ramp sight on my Colt Official Police as well as my Beretta 92F.

Really liked the Norma ammo. It seems hotter / packs a little more punch than some other .38 target ammo. A picture of my target at 15 yards shooting the Colt with the Norma ammo unsupported-single action. Overall a great day to be out.

 

[PHS327]

I recently did the same thing only I was using my S&W model 65. You probably got your ammo in the same sale I did. I think it was last September. I've seen factory 38 special as low as 750 fps. The norma stuff is listed as 968 fps. I like it also.

 

[Nevada Ed]

11 in the black is a good thing with an eye on the repair.......

Toss that "Cat" out of the house and you will really on your way to a good mend.

Let us see another target when that happens.

Take care.

 

[lkabug]

Tom, you did good. I've used a good bit of Norma handgun ammo the last year or so. I'm very pleased with the brand.

 

[Sixgun100]

Looks like a nice Range Trip and that’s a beautiful Colt!!

 

[VaTom]

sixgun100 Thanks for the compliment. Serial number dates it to 1956. I bought it an estate auction a number of years ago. Seems to have spent a lot of time in the "sock drawer". It is tight and smooth. I chose it to try out the Norma ammo over my K frame Smiths as it has a larger frame. I had heard the Norma ammo was hotter than some 38 target ammo made in US. The Norma is made in Europe. The Colt handled the recoil great.

 

[Babysitr]

Darn nice old Colt, and good shooting! I also like the Norma and the Defense is the deal in my 1892

 

[dmn57]

Another shout out for Norma .38. The stuff has some pop to it. Makes my SP101 a tad hard to hang onto.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I suspect that is "Made in the EU" branded Norma and not the "Made in Sweden" actual Norma of old.

 

[VaTom]

I suspect that is "Made in the EU" branded Norma and not the "Made in Sweden" actual Norma of old.

Yes. Made in Hungary. I bought it last year when they had a flash sale on .38 special one weekend.

 

[Buckeye_224]

Quick question for you guys that have experience with the Norma .38 special. It seems that everyone agrees that it is hotter ammo. In your opinion, is it bordering on being +P? I ask, because I have a 10-5 that is not approved for +P loads. The last thing I want to do is damage this gun, so just curious if you think it is safe to use the Norma rounds? I know it isn't marketed as +P, but I'm still a little leery of using it. Thanks!

 

[stansdds]

Quick question for you guys that have experience with the Norma .38 special. It seems that everyone agrees that it is hotter ammo. In your opinion, is it bordering on being +P? I ask, because I have a 10-5 that is not approved for +P loads. The last thing I want to do is damage this gun, so just curious if you think it is safe to use the Norma rounds? I know it isn't marketed as +P, but I'm still a little leery of using it. Thanks!

Welcome to the S&W Forums.
S&W has stated that their steel K-frame revolvers with model numbers are suitable for 38 Special +P ammo.

 

[Buckeye_224]

Welcome to the S&W Forums.
S&W has stated that their steel K-frame revolvers with model numbers are suitable for 38 Special +P ammo.

I was not aware of this. Thank you for the info!

 

[ddixie884]

I don't know about the Norma but the Perfecta 158gr rnj tested by Larry Gibson on the CB forum is right at 20,000psi and is reported on the web as right at 900fps from a 4" M-10. It is made in Italy so................

 

[Toyman]

From the Norma Ammunition site:
KEY METRICS:
Caliber: .38 Special
Bullet Weight: 158 grain
Bullet Style: FMJ-FN
Muzzle Velocity: 968 FPS
Muzzle Energy: 329 ft.-lbs.
Case: Brass
Rounds: 50

 

[stansdds]

I was not aware of this. Thank you for the info!

Search the forums here and you will find a wealth of information regarding all aspects of owning and shooting S&W firearms.

 

[Valmet]

Norma has always made top-shelf ammo in my experience. I’d expect the stuff they make in Hungary is on par with their other ammo. Norma actually loads the factory ammo for Weatherby.

 

[fiasconva]

Not wanting to hijack VaTom's thread but I have some of the Norma 9mm 124 gr range ammo that I haven't had a chance to shoot yet. Is it also a little hotter like the .38 special is?

 

[martyd]

Back in the Day, 1970's Norma was the absolute best ammo available.
Very consistent and accurate! I loved their 44Mag.

Problem was it just was not widely available.