S&W Model 19 2.5" AMMO

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Owners/CCW of Model 19 2.5" revolvers:
What SD ammo do you use/carry?
Thank you,
Jimmy

 

[Dump1567]

Don't currently have a 19 or 66, but this is ammo I would carry:

Speer GDHP 135gr. Made for short barrels. This is very similiar to their excellent .38 spl. load, but it's still under 1,000 fps.

Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Ammo 357 Mag 135 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 20

Technical Information:
•Muzzle Velocity: 990 fps
•Muzzle Energy: 294 ft. lbs.


If you want to step-up velocity, I also have some of this:

Vital-Shok Ammo 357 Mag 140 Grain Barnes XPB Hollow Point Lead-Free Box of 20

Ballistics Information:
•Muzzle Velocity: 1400 fps
•Muzzle Energy: 609 ft. lbs.

 

[redlevel]

Jimmy, that is a question I'm pondering right now, too. I have thought about carrying the BB gas-checked 158 grain soft lead swc "heavy +p" that I carry in my j-frames. The problem there is that, according to BB's info, I would be giving up a good bit of velocity and energy that I would have in my 3" Model 36-1. Why carry a heavier, bulkier sidearm and give up that advantage? I have thought about ordering some of the BB "Tactical low flash etc" .357, but there just isn't that much advantage over the "heavy .38 special +p" ammo, and that would be another expensive specialty round to buy.

To answer your question, right now my 2.5" Model 19 is loaded with a 6.4 grain Unique/158 grain GA Arms 158 grain swc handload. I haven't had the opportunity to really wring that load out, but it seems to have very acceptable "combat accuracy" from the short barrel.

 

[xcop]

That short barrel magnum from Speer averaged 1104 fps from my 2.5 in 686.

 

[arkdweller22]

In my 2.5" 66 and Colt Lawman 2" revo's I typically carry 125 Gr. Golden Sabers.
It's a low recoiling .357 round (I would call it a -P). Easily controllable in a snubby and the ammo averages 1163 FPS chronographed out of the 66, 1121 out of the Colt.
Much more powerful than a .38 without the sturm und drang of the full house .357's.

I tried the 125 Gr. Gold Dots out of both in .357 and averaged 1325 but 6 was enough. It was just getting unpleasant.

BTW: 125 Gr. Gold Dots in .38 averaged 870 and 850 out of the S&W and Colt respectively.

I hope this helps.

 

[photoman]

Any one of the following....

.357 Magnum DPX
.38 Special DPX
.38 Special or .357 Magnum Gold Dot

 

[Pig Hunter]

.357 dpx 125 grain

 

[Harrison]

Federal 158 gr SWCHP +P, the old FBI load. I have about 4 boxes of the stuff. Its what I carry in all of my 38s and/or 357s. As an alternate, I would carry Speer 135gr GD short barrel, either 38 or 357.

 

[chief38]

I've go a 3" M65 (just about the same) and stoke it with Buffalo Bore 158 gr .357 Magnum JHP ammo for SD against two legged animals. When I am in the woods (Bear Country) I stoke it with 180 grain Buffalo Bore Hard Cast .357 Mag's. When I feel I do not need to carry magnums I will go back to my daily CCW which is a M60-7 with BB 158 gr. +P's.

Chief38

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I like using a 158gr bullet and I do the same with .357 Magnum ammo. Find a 158gr round that shoots well in your revolver and run with it.