I just picked up my new M&P 360 yesterday and that is what I will be carrying from now on. I don't think I'm going to carry .357's in it.....but can any of you guys recommend some good powerful .38 +p ammo for personal defense? Thanks.

Hornady Critical Defense in .38 +P

quote:

Originally posted by billinthewild:
Hornady Critical Defense in .38 +P

IMO, the bullet wt is just too light. Many like the Speer 135grGDHPSB+P load. I still like & carry the 158grLSWCHP+P from Win or Rem. It always expands, being dead sfot lead, & penetration is assured by the 158gr wt. It's also easily duplicated in a reload using cheap 158grLSWC.

Any of the major makers +p 38 hollow points well work just fine. that said freds 158swhp at a decent vel well work find too

I tested both the Speer 135 gr Gold Dot Short Barrel loads in 38+P and 357 Mag in my M&P 340PD CT which, barrel wise, is similar to yours.

357 Mag, 977 fps Av for 10 shots (990 advertised), 63 ES, 23 SD.

38+P, 827 fps Av for 10 shots, (860 advertised), 35 ES, 12 SD.

The 357's recoil is not bad and I shoot it with my weak hand.


Alan

Since I was first aware of it [1976] the Winchester, and later Remington, and now Buffalo Bore 158gr Lead HP +P SWC, has a very good track recored in actual shootings.

I think Buffalo Bore also offers a non +P 158 HP SWC that would good as well.

I most often now carry Federal 147gr Hydra Shok JHP +P+ in my snubbie... Mainly because I was "gifted" some of it...

I ordered a couple boxes of Speer Gold-Dot 135 gr. short barrel +P ammo from Midway, and shot some this morning. They are very accurate and seem to pack quite a punch for a .38 round.

If you're carrying it for personal defense, I see no real reason not to use the more powerful mag rounds. You can always practice with some cheaper .38 reloads.

RBCD.net

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:
If you're carrying it for personal defense, I see no real reason not to use the more powerful mag rounds. You can always practice with some cheaper .38 reloads.

The reason I'm not carrying .357 rounds is because you don't get the full performance out of them with a 1 7/8" barrel. All you get is a substantial increase in recoil, noise, and muzzle flash.....with minimal increase in velocity out of the short barrel. I am very pleased with the .38 +P ammo.

With the harsh recoil of the .357's.....I won't be able to get back on target as fast as I can with the .38's. I'd rather be able to give the bad guy 3 rounds in the chest quickly.....