Speer's 135 grain Gold Dot 38 Special +P Short Barrel load info

[daveboy]

I have Model 36 2"and I'm looking at self-defense loads for it. I understand all the arguments stating that most +P ammo only produces more flash and recoil in a short barrel. However, the Speer 135 grain Gold Dot + P that the manufacture claims is tailored for short barrels has caught my attention. Does anyone have personal experience with this round and barrel length? Specifically, has anyone chronographed it or tested it in ballistics gel?

I did a search but found everything except what I was looking for. Many thanks for any info.

 

[stansdds]

I do not remember if I ever chronographed this ammo or not, but it is my preferred carry load in my S&W 640-1. Lucky Gunner did test this load, along with lots of other loads, for velocity and gel performance.
Link to Luck Gunner's tests:

.38 Special and .357 Magnum Self-Defense Ammo Ballistics Test - LuckyGunner.com Labs

We conducted ballistics gelatin tests for 38 self-defense revolver loads in 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Here are the full results along with photos and video

www.luckygunner.com

 

[daveboy]

I do not remember if I ever chronographed this ammo or not, but it is my preferred carry load in my S&W 640-1. Lucky Gunner did test this load, along with lots of other loads, for velocity and gel performance.
Link to Luck Gunner's tests:

.38 Special and .357 Magnum Self-Defense Ammo Ballistics Test - LuckyGunner.com Labs

We conducted ballistics gelatin tests for 38 self-defense revolver loads in 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Here are the full results along with photos and video

www.luckygunner.com

That's a good read. Thanks!

 

[rwsmith]

The Lucky Gunner tests show the Gold Dot's expansion to be a little iffy out of a 2" barrel. The Federal HST balloons pretty reliably. I also like the Remington Golden Sabers. I'm partial to BIG hollows in my hollow points.

 

[stansdds]

Good luck finding Federal's 130 grain HST ammo, it was discontinued some time ago. The Speer load was the last ammo issued to NYPD officers who still preferred a revolver. The load earned a good reputation in use. I do agree, the Remington 125 grain Golden Saber looks like it would be a good performer, even from a 2 inch barrel.

 

[Mannlicher]

I know I'm somewhat old school, but I still prefer the 158 gr LSWCHP bullet over a good dose of Unique or SR4756 in my short barrel .38 and .357 revolvers.

 

[Norton 750]

Most old fixed sight Smiths shoot point of aim with 158 grain bullets. How close do the Speer loads hit to the sights?

 

[stansdds]

My 640-1 does well with a 6 o'clock hold (NRA B-8 target) on the black at 25 yards, but does put the hits nearly 2 inches to the right. Given this revolver's intended use, it's more than close enough.

 

[Buford57]

I've been using it in a 642. Recoil is manageable, shoots reasonably to the sights out to 15 yards. Of the common SD loads I found it the most accurate. I have not chronographed it, shot it into gelatin or attended any autopsies where it was used.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

Most old fixed sight Smiths shoot point of aim with 158 grain bullets. How close do the Speer loads hit to the sights?

From my 3" 64-6 and 1-7/8" M49 ND, the Speer load hits low as close as five yards. OTOH, my 642-2 hits to POA with that load.

 

[Baxter6551]

I have no input to assist with ballistics etc with the plus P load you are asking about.
In my 36s and my 442 I carry the Hornady Critical Defense .38 not plus P load. Link below. In my .357 686 snub, 3 inch 65 etc. I carry the Speer .357 gold dot short barrel load.

38 Special 110 gr FTX® Critical Defense® - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

...

www.hornady.com

 

[BrBa]

I've chronoed a fair amount of the 135 +p with a Garmin Xero. It runs 875 fps from my LCR, but with a large spread. 850-900 fps is pretty common.

 

[REParker]

That's a good read. Thanks!

For your files...

 

[mscampbell2734]

Will just add this was the LAPD authorized load for revolvers as of March 2025.