Where did all the 38special go?

[SquarePizza]

As a reloader I never watched factory ammo, but since my model 10 is getting time in the carry rotation I was trying to find some factory defensive ammo.

I was completely shocked that those options are almost completely barren. Locally I am limited to blazer aluminum or hornady HST 110s. Online I can find a few speer 125s but I can't order it since I'm in NY. I was hoping to find some 135 GDSB or any of the 158 LSWCHPs but its like the ammo factories are pumping out FMJ ammo only.

Its shocking to me considering how many J-frames are in service.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I am a reloader too. But all the years I was a cop we were told not to carry reloads on or off duty. Either Department issue or Factory made.

I am retired so I am not buying any ammo. At one time the PD will annually give retirees ammunition. But the budget does not allow that now.

Like I mentioned on another Post I seldom see people shooting revolvers especially J-Frames.

 

[sw702]

take a look at Targetsports

 

[local_dirt]

Try these:

.38 Special +P 158 grain Poly-Coated Lead Semi Wadcutter. (100 RND)

 

[murphydog]

Try these:

.38 Special +P 158 grain Poly-Coated Lead Semi Wadcutter. (100 RND)

Please see the OP's statement:

"Online I can find a few speer 125s but I can't order it since I'm in NY. "

I think his best bet would be ordering from a local gun store, or looking at a gun show. If both of those haven't been outlawed in his home state...

 

[ladder13]

Proliferation of 9mm carry guns.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I'm in Virginia, you'd think .38's would be available at any hardware store. Not so for a couple of years. Now, yes an assortment of SD loads are back. But I haven't seen 148gr. wadcutters in many years. I can still mail order them bulk which I do. Even then it's hard to find and very expensive.

You have to move, I did, NJ sucks too. Take your pension to where a state allows you to live free.

 

[SquarePizza]

I have my local dealer looking, but the pickings are slim. I may end up with something that doesn't have a good track record for expansion in a snub (like the blazer aluminum series) or maybe buying factory 148WCs.

 

[chief38]

The 38 special cartridge is in the process of being antiquated. By that I mean it is no longer the go-to carry round as it used to be a few decades ago. Basically, the new ubiquitous cartridge is the 9mm and the .380 has even made a small come-back as of late. Almost every single young person I have ever seen buy a SD, EDC, CCW gun buys a pistol, not a revolver now. That obviously cuts down on the demand for 38 spl. As the older fellows stop shooting, that hurts a bit more. While most here own plenty of wheel guns, many also reload - again, another reason 38 spl. has been so scarce on dealer's shelves.

38 Spl. is still available, but it is harder to find and the price has skyrocketed. My suggestion would be to fond some then stock up for the long run. It is my opinion it will only get harder and harder to find in the carry loads you want. For plinking, there is still an abundant supply and places like Target Sports (online) usually carry a few different brands for that at somewhat reasonable prices. cases are shipped for free.

They do carry SD ammo, but it is out of stock many times you log on. Just leave a notification alert and they will send you an email when it's back in stock. When it is.... stock up.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Proliferation of 9mm carry guns.

This is the answer, sadly... Believe me, I wish it were not so. The reality is that 9mm carry guns offer many benefits over revolvers, without the drawbacks that autos used to be plagued by.

 

[Three Tees]

I just recently received a 500 rd. case of .38 Spl. from Optics Planet but it was 130 gr. FMJ stuff and not what I really wanted but it took TWO YEARS to get it on backorder. Ridiculous!

 

[Fide686]

Speer 135 SB Gold Dot

All of the above posts are correct. It appears that Speer will not be making the +P 38s for the foreseeable future. I cannot locate any on-line. Since I am almost out of them (my preferred carry round) I will be saving the few that I have left for my mod 60. Speer isn't making the 135 gr. bullets for reloading anymore either.


Since I don't own a pistol, my only option has been to develop my own carry load with bullets that are readily available on the shelves of my local sporting goods store, and also found on most on-line component sites.

I am now able to afford to practice, and sight in my revolvers.

 

[djohns6]

SG Ammo has a lot in stock . As does the Academy stores around here .

 

[murphydog]

In general, if you have the funds and need/want for ammo of any kind, now is a good time to stock up for current and future use. Feel free to quote this post during the next Great Ammo Shortage of (best guess) late 2024 to early 2025.

 

[max503]

I'm still waiting for people to start dumping their 38's.



Been waiting for a while.

 

[Mule Packer]

Almost every single young person I have ever seen buy a SD, EDC, CCW gun buys a pistol, not a revolver now.

Boy! Is that ever the truth!! In the the sporting goods stores in this area, it's almost all pistols. And the revolvers, if there are any, are usually the inexpensive .22 single-action revolvers.

As one guy said to me as I was shooting at the range one day, "I figured you for a wheel gun man." In other words..."you're old so you must be old-fashioned. That's why you carry a revolver."

 

[haywood]

Road Trip to a free state !! Call and check some gun store inventory.

 

[ruger 22]

Gunprime.com and Ammo.com have plenty available but it is not cheap.

 

[Drm50]

I don’t find it hard to find 38sp. Just don’t expect to get it on the cheap.
I got bulk box Blazer 38sp WCs at gun show last month for $25, 100rds but aluminum cases. So what, can shoot my 52 and not worry about picking up brass, priceless. Show was full of ammo for revolvers, didn’t see many good deals, everybody scalping.
It’s going to get worse before it gets better. With political situation on guns the manufactures don’t want to shut down para military cartridges to retool for cartridges that don’t have sales volume. Also take into account the wars going on that we are providing ammo and our own supplies are dwindling.
We see this not only in revolver ammo but many classic rifle cartridges have been out of production. If you are lucky they can be formed from a
popular brass.

 

[ggibson511960]

For sure 9 mm Para has become the dominant pistol caliber, closely followed by .380 ACP, and manufacturers are not on economic suicide missions to focus on less popular calibers. For me .38 Spcl has become my dominant caliber. Targets don't know what they've been hit with and wadcutters sure do cut satisfying holes. Don't have to chase brass either. I'm getting old and rhino-roller magnum loads and high capacity autoloaders make no sense for targets. I have squirreled away a lifetime supply of .38 Spcl. Brass lasts forever with target loads. The best satisfaction comes from that crisp trigger let-off from a S&W revolver. I have autoloaders, but too many have a prolonged trigger pull process as opposed to that glass rod break. To each his own.