Surprise at the range today...:)

[sipowicz]

I was working our mobile range today and I asked an elderly reserve that was coming in if he had any of the old dept. 38 ammo we used to use when they carried revolvers. He said he had a few boxes. I wanted to try some different ammo and see if my DS still shot high. The ammo was Remington 125 +p jacketed hollowpoints...from 1977. I tried it and low and behold, my DS shot to point of aim. The ammo is in great shape and there were no misfires so I figure it's safe to carry....any opinions to the contrary are welcome...I would love to have brand new ammo for carry so maybe the new Remington 125 +p has the same POI....I'll have to pick some up and try it.


On a side note, he brought his model 15 from when he joined the dept. Sorry for the terrible cell phone pic but the lighting in the trailer stinks. He said he might part with it since he doesn't shoot it anymore and asked me what it's worth. I told him it I would love to buy it but right now it's out of my price range since the gun is immaculate and should sell for at least 450. He told me if he decides to sell it he will give it to me for much much less...we'll see....

 

[rags]

Great story Sip. I'm sure he could tell a tale or two. I hope you end up with the 15. Considering the history behind the snubby, it would be apropos that another LEO would get it.

 

[Mickey D]

Sweet 15 snubby. Only thing better would be that it was a round butt.

 

[redlevel]

Great story Sip. I'm sure he could tell a tale or two. I hope you end up with the 15.

Me, too. I am sure he would rather you have it than a lot of other folks who would not appreciate the history and tradition behind it. Luck

 

[sipowicz]

Thanks guys. Here's the ammo...btw, s it true that +ps from the 70s are hotter than today's..I don't want to hurt my DS...

 

[rimfired]

That D frame will handle anything. Made good.

 

[TheHobbyist]

Greetings Sip,

I hope you get the model 15 as well! It appears to be in fine condition; and the history from one LEO to another is neat.

Relative to the age of the ammo, it's really a non-issue. There should be little to no concern with it; if even remotely stored well. Isn't it amazing how much ammo can affect point-of-aim? Just goes to show to practice with what you carry.

I've owned that exact same model and variant before, my only recommendation would be that if you end up with it, to find an appropriate holster for it. Personally, i've always felt this was an odd one to carry without the right holster; but, i suppose that could be said about any.

Kind regards--

 

[sipowicz]

Thanks TH..but it would be a range gun...the DS is as big as i want to go in a 6 shot 38...

 

[scooter123]

You may want to take a look at the Speer Catalog. They offer a 125 gn Gold Dot 38 +P under part number 23720 that will probably shoot to POA for you. One plus is that in my past experience Speer makes an extremely consistent and accurate ammunition.

 

[sipowicz]

You may want to take a look at the Speer Catalog. They offer a 125 gn Gold Dot 38 +P under part number 23720 that will probably shoot to POA for you. One plus is that in my past experience Speer makes an extremely consistent and accurate ammunition.

We use the gold dot 135 +p and it shoots high, as does our 125 winclean target ammo...but I will give it a try if I come across some...

 

[badge]

Sip,
That was my first duty ammo in 1981. It worked very well and tended to shoot to point of aim in a 2" as well as our 4" weapons. Many of the " older " weapons were generally regulated, if thats the correct word, for the 158 grain projectiles but those rounds are excellant and if stored properly can still be carried with confidence. I believe Remington still makes that load however.

 

[Texas Star]

Sip-

In the 1970's, Colt advised returning steel D -frame guns to the factory for exam after 3,000 rounds of Plus P. They'd check for such things as frame stretching, etc. Alloy guns (Cobra, Agent) were to be returned after 1, 500 rounds.

Whether modern Plus P is milder or just measured via vented barrels is another iissue. You now know what the factory thought in the day when your "new" ammo was made.

Re Gold Dot Short Barrel, are you saying that it shoots high in your DS, or in .38's in general? I have some, but haven't fired any yet. The other Speer load, 125 grain JHP, shoots to point of aim in my M-60-4 and is VERY accurate. Chrono tests in magazine articles gives it over 900 FPS in three-inch barrels. I'm pretty sure that Short Barrel is at least as fast. I think it "lists"at 860 in snubs, and actually gives close to that.

 

[sipowicz]

TS..the gold dot 135 shoots fine in my 442...it is dept. issue and most guys use the j-frame for a back up so if there were any issues with accuracy in those guns, our range staff would probably nix it...so you are most likely good to go with it in yours...it only shoots high in my DS..as does the 125 winclean and some 158's I had lying around. I don't understand how different 125s can shoot to different points....maybe someone else can explain it to me...is it maybe because some are faster and leave the barrel before the recoil has more effect?

 

[jkc]

TS..the gold dot 135 shoots fine in my 442...it is dept. issue and most guys use the j-frame for a back up so if there were any issues with accuracy in those guns, our range staff would probably nix it...so you are most likely good to go with it in yours...it only shoots high in my DS..as does the 125 winclean and some 158's I had lying around. I don't understand how different 125s can shoot to different points....maybe someone else can explain it to me...is it maybe because some are faster and leave the barrel before the recoil has more effect?

That's it................

 

[sipowicz]

So I guess the +p's from the 70s are hotter...

 

[j38]

I suspect you'd really like a Model 15 snubby. Mine is both accurate and fun. It came with TT and TH, ... a bit unusual - but the local smith said he saw a number of these as they qualified for a specific competitive niche back in the day.

As to +P ammo; I (unknowingly) ran a box of +P+ "police only" ammo through an M&P back in the eighties. The gun showed no ill effects from this single exposure to hot ammo - but I still singularly remember the experience.

Hope you get the 15!

Jerry

 

[TACC1]

I just wanna see some REAL pics.....
TACC1

 

[blujax01]

Anyone who is or will be in central Ohio and is interested should stop by Vance Outdoors.

Sunday's ad says they are selling police turn in Remington 38 Special +P 125 gr. SJHP for $15/50 and Golden Sabres $15/25.

I hand load so I scoff at these prices but it's a good deal if you need them.
http://www.vanceoutdoors.com/flyer/flyer.pdf

 

[Rule3]

TS..the gold dot 135 shoots fine in my 442...it is dept. issue and most guys use the j-frame for a back up so if there were any issues with accuracy in those guns, our range staff would probably nix it...so you are most likely good to go with it in yours...it only shoots high in my DS..as does the 125 winclean and some 158's I had lying around. I don't understand how different 125s can shoot to different points....maybe someone else can explain it to me...is it maybe because some are faster and leave the barrel before the recoil has more effect?

Yes.
Different bullets, different powder (lots), velocity. Rem Express ammo from the "old" days is generally hotter no matter what caliber or bullet. So is some of the Federal stuff. It actually is rocket science
I handload pretty much every caliber and a guy gave a box of some old Federal 357 158 gr. Ochy Momma! Trying to duplicate some of the factory loads is tough as we do not have access to the powders the companies do.