Which round would be the best for self defense in a older S&W 38spl.with 4in.barrel ..not a plus +p load....125gr. Hornady xtp or a 158gr.lead or jacketed bullet/RN or wadcutter/hollow point?Any favorites?

Some say the old 158 SWC-HP all lead bullet that Remington used to sell in bulk for reloaders.

Others used to swear by the long gone 200 RNL "Super Police" loading.

Modern though I'm told is the heavier and faster the better but if you can't do both together then do fast.

Do bear in mind that if it is a fixed sight S & W it may well be set up for a 158 grain weight bullet and that a lighter bullet will shoot low.

+P is ruled out? Why?

The Winchester or Remington 158gr Lead Hollow Point has a very good track record, even from 2" revolvers.

It is rated at +p, however.

If you have to have a non +p load take a look at some Speer offerings, or the Hornady 125 or 158 XTP loads.

If it is an old, old revolver just use Factory 148gr Wadcutters.

Thanks for the help,how can you tell if a revolver is rated for +pammo?Is it stamped or is there a year to look at say 1980 & newer?I have a few older 50's models & also newer 1990's era 38spl.& thought the units would have +p stamped somewhere?
Thanks for any ifo
I think i found the answer..heres the link..

http://www.handgunsmag.com/amm...sp_0306-7/index.html

Strictly speaking the +P designation is an extension of the old 38-44 loads of the Smith & Wesson Outdoorsman (adjustable sight) or Heavy Duty (fixed sight).

This was a 38 Special chambered revolver built on the large N Frame used for the 44 Special sized round. So a big thick heavy cylinder wall. Especially in the part weakened by the bolt stop cuts.

Next came the longer 357 Magnum and with the Model 19, at last, a K Frame revolver for that powerful cartridge until then reserved for the N Frame or Colt's New Service.

I suppose that the lessons in heat treating the cylinders for the Model 19 were then just used on the 38 Special cylinders. After all apart from a longer chamber they are identical.

But even though these things can stand the supposed excess pressure of +P or 357 Magnum prolonged use isn't good!

Smith & Wesson have good customer service of you call them with details of your guns they will advise you.

I am not aware that any S & W revolver is marked other than either 38 Special or 357 Magnum except the aforementioned 38-44 Heavy Duty or Outdoorsman...but think they too are marked just 38 Special?

Thanks ,i found another good read/link..



http://findarticles.com/p/arti...s_2_52/ai_n15978705/

In my expereince, the light fast 125s and 110 JHPs do not help much in a short barrelled revolvers. Lead SW HPs do "expand" even at low snubby velocities, and do it with less flash and blast.

Also, most fixed sight revolvers are regulated for the 158 grain loads.

Your revolver may like lighter bullets, and given a longer barrel, may even let them expand.

My advice is to obtain a sample of several types and weights and try them out on a reasonable facsimile target for penetration and expansion, as well as accuracy (meaning point of aim/impact), not necessarily group size- minute of torso or less is fine, anything that requires more than than, needs a rifle anyway.

I load Hornady 158 grain LSWCHPs to standard velocites with bullseye for my wife's 38 spl. They expand when full speed factory 125 XTPs do nothing-and the Lead 158s penetrate better to boot.

Or, bump up to a 357 or 40 or 357 Sig or 10mm or 45 or....

All that said, a center hit with a poor bullet beats a peripheral hit with a premium slug...

Regards;

quote:

Originally posted by blackbearhunter:
Which round would be the best for self defense in a older S&W 38spl.with 4in.barrel ..not a plus +p load....125gr. Hornady xtp or a 158gr.lead or jacketed bullet/RN or wadcutter/hollow point?Any favorites?

blackbearhunter, what "older S&W Special" pistol do you have that you don't think will handle +P ammo?!!!

SAMMI pressure specifications in +P for any caliber fall within the standard pressure limits for any gun chambered in that caliber.

Stop and think about it for a second. SAMMI has gone to great lengths to insure that ammo that chambers in a specific caliber will fire safely in guns chambered for that caliber.

+P loads are standard caliber loads, just a bit hotter than factory production loads. Personally I think it's a marketing scheme to charge extra for standard loads, and then reduce the charge in "production" ammo.

It's like making the candy bar smaller.

38 Spl for carry? 158 gr. JHP. Heavy works better than fast every time.

I like the Speer 135 gr. +P loads. Never a problem.

I have read years ago that S&W does not recommend +P loads in the Miltary and Police revolvers, but that they're o.k. to use in the Model 10 revolvers. The Model 10 desgination came about sometime in the mid 1950s.

Joe A.