Im new to .38 world. I have shot semi-autos all my life and almost exclusively 9mm. So here is my question I usually shoot blazer, it performs well and is a little less costly. So i just bought my 642 in .38 S&W SPL +P, of course. What I want to know is, does the blazer .38 Special +P 125gr, cycle cleanly? If you've shot it a lot did you like it? Was it clean? Any help is great!
S&W 642
- Thread starter duncan_11
- Start date
Cal44
Member
I believe the 642 will work with any 38 special and 38+P ammo.
Revolvers aren't picky about ammo, usually -- although some ammo will give better accuracy than others, but that's often dependent on the particular gun.
If I were you, I'd just try whatever you have and see how it works.
You might find the 642 easier to shoot with regular 38 special instead of +p.
You may have no real need to go to +p
Revolvers aren't picky about ammo, usually -- although some ammo will give better accuracy than others, but that's often dependent on the particular gun.
If I were you, I'd just try whatever you have and see how it works.
You might find the 642 easier to shoot with regular 38 special instead of +p.
You may have no real need to go to +p
I've plinked with Blazer and found it to be a little dirtier than most brands but not the worst offender (looking at you, Federal).
If you're diligent about basic cleaning after use, you needn't worry about it.
Personally, wouldn't use the Blazer as my carry ammo, though -- just for the range.
If you're diligent about basic cleaning after use, you needn't worry about it.
Personally, wouldn't use the Blazer as my carry ammo, though -- just for the range.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
You are a semi-auto guy, aren't you? One of the advantages of a revolver, no problems with ammo brands not cycling since the ammo sits in the cylinder and doesn't have to feed from a magazine.
There is no magic here. Just like any other gun you are going to have to shoot different ammo in your revolver and find the one that's most accurate. I carry a S&W M442 and it shoots very well with Speer 135gr .38 Special +P short barrel ammo. It also shoots well with 129gr Federal +P ammo too. The FBI Load seems to shoot well in every revolver I've shot it from.
Good luck finding something you like but I've found most name-brand SD ammo these days is very accurate and dependable.
attn ArchAngelCD
Hey Arch, appreciate your previous likes of my posts! Blazer can be a mixed bag. Absolutely love their +P 158 JFP and .357 158 JHP. But their 158 .38 LRN jammed up solid two of my revolvers while others ate it up! I now stay away from Blazer .38 LRN 'service' load.
Years ago, we bought ammo and shot it. Now, when available, ammo seems to have 'vintages' like wine. Problems arise, like my Blazer LRN experience above. I have Federal 38G (the +P LHP FBI load) where the bullet jumps the crimp. That's not supposed to happen! (Another poster indicated this previously.) Certain guns (Tis, Scs) can only take certain ammo...or they can't!
We used to wonder whether a certain HP would function in our semi-autos. Now we wonder if a certain load will function in our revolvers... or will it jump the crimp, or stress the frame, or will it be dirty, or jam up the cylinder?
Hey Arch, appreciate your previous likes of my posts! Blazer can be a mixed bag. Absolutely love their +P 158 JFP and .357 158 JHP. But their 158 .38 LRN jammed up solid two of my revolvers while others ate it up! I now stay away from Blazer .38 LRN 'service' load.
Years ago, we bought ammo and shot it. Now, when available, ammo seems to have 'vintages' like wine. Problems arise, like my Blazer LRN experience above. I have Federal 38G (the +P LHP FBI load) where the bullet jumps the crimp. That's not supposed to happen! (Another poster indicated this previously.) Certain guns (Tis, Scs) can only take certain ammo...or they can't!
We used to wonder whether a certain HP would function in our semi-autos. Now we wonder if a certain load will function in our revolvers... or will it jump the crimp, or stress the frame, or will it be dirty, or jam up the cylinder?
Bought a box of .357 Blazer JHP for my 649-5 a few years ago. It was a little dirty (no problem), but also difficult to extract. Still have half the box.
Most seem to like I, just didn't work well for me. I don't think I tried it in any other gun...
Will
Most seem to like I, just didn't work well for me. I don't think I tried it in any other gun...
Will
attn Will2
Many thanks for your corroboration. Guess you don't want to help me work down the case of .357 Blazer I bought recently?
Another example, W-W Silvertip .44Mag loads will absolutely not extract in my Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. They are a somewhat lighter load than standard .44 Mags, but it takes a dowel and a small mallet to tap them from the chambers. Everything else pops out nicely. Go figure.
Thanks again,
Kaaskop44
Many thanks for your corroboration. Guess you don't want to help me work down the case of .357 Blazer I bought recently?
Another example, W-W Silvertip .44Mag loads will absolutely not extract in my Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. They are a somewhat lighter load than standard .44 Mags, but it takes a dowel and a small mallet to tap them from the chambers. Everything else pops out nicely. Go figure.
Thanks again,
Kaaskop44
gregintenn
Member
The beauty of a revolver is that there is no "cycling". Load it with anything marked 38 Special, pull the trigger, and it'll go "BANG!"
If you fire a firearm, it will get dirty. You've ignited a fire inside the chamber of the gun. I've never understood the constant internet worry of what is the cleanest ammo, powder, primers, etc.
If you fire a firearm, it will get dirty. You've ignited a fire inside the chamber of the gun. I've never understood the constant internet worry of what is the cleanest ammo, powder, primers, etc.
Alk8944
US Veteran
"Cycling", when it comes to ammunition is a concept applicable only to semi-or Fully-automatic firearms. A double action revolver will properly function with anything from snap-caps/dummies to full power ammunition. The only thing that affects "Cycling" is if your trigger finger continues to function correctly.
Then you asked about the "Blazer" being "clean". No, it isn't! No ammunition is "clean", the gun will always get dirty when it is fired. Resign yourself to the fact that a gun should (must) be cleaned after being fired. A gun fired with "dirty" ammunition needs the same amount of cleaning as one shot with "clean" ammunition! That is why cleaning supplies are sold.
Forget any 110 gr JHP load, you will be better served by either the Federal or Winchester 158 gr. LSWCHP +P "F.B.I." load in a pocket pistol. There is the Buffalo Bore version too.There is a very good reason this was adopted by the FBI many years ago after extensive testing of various ammunition types.
attn ALK8944
Careful with the Federal version of the 158gr. LHP (38G)! I've had bullets jump the crimp in lightweight 5-shot guns. Another poster reported this before me. My next stop is to try the load in heavier steel frame guns.
Stay safe partner.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Careful with the Federal version of the 158gr. LHP (38G)! I've had bullets jump the crimp in lightweight 5-shot guns. Another poster reported this before me. My next stop is to try the load in heavier steel frame guns.
Stay safe partner.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
