38 special?

dipbait

dipbait

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Feb 9, 2008
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I have an older 38 special, the S&W Chiefs special . Its probably fifty years old in fantastic shape. Im gonna use it for concealed carry. What ammo would be best? +P loads are unsafe for it, right?
 
dipbait said:
I have an older 38 special, the S&W Chiefs special . Its probably fifty years old in fantastic shape. Im gonna use it for concealed carry. What ammo would be best? +P loads are unsafe for it, right?
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DO NOT use +P loads in that pistol. They were built for standard 38's only. I would try some lighter weight hollow points. The 158 grain loads don't have enough velocity to be effective stoppers.
 
Consider putting some decent grips on it; the little J-frame revolvers are surprisingly nasty in the recoil department.
I have Pachmayrs on mine; don't even know if they still make 'em.
Also, a quick-loader is a good idea. Only 5 shots....
 
i load m 38 revolver with gold dot 125 or 135 grain hollow points.non+p.also leaded semi wad cutter 158 grain this was the old fbi load.if it was good enough for them its just fine for me.
 
dulledge2 said:
also leaded semi wad cutter 158 grain this was the old fbi load.if it was good enough for them its just fine for me.
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There is a good reason why the FBI quit using that load. It has a lousy reputation for effectiveness which was demonstrated in the Miami shootout, though that shootout had numerous other failures as well.
 
dulledge2 said:
i load m 38 revolver with gold dot 125 or 135 grain hollow points.non+p.also leaded semi wad cutter 158 grain this was the old fbi load.if it was good enough for them its just fine for me.
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For the average Concealed carrying citizen, any of these loads out of a .38 would probably work just fine. I personally wouldn't want to be shot with even the weakest .38 round. Just my 2 cents.
 
Sid Post said:
There is a good reason why the FBI quit using that load. It has a lousy reputation for effectiveness which was demonstrated in the Miami shootout, though that shootout had numerous other failures as well.
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Actually, the FBI quit using all the loads fired in that incident. The .38 lead semi-wadcutter hollow point did just as well or just as poorly as any of the other handgun rounds fired. What the shootout really showed was how many hits a body can take and still function.

Back to the original question. If your Chief Special is marked Model 36, it is safe to shoot +P ammo, but don't shoot it a lot. It will loosen things up. Stick to lower pressure ammo for practice.
 
I would recommend regular standard lead wad-cutters. Recoil is very tolerable, the lead deforms well and expands admirably on bone. Two or three rounds through the chest are going to collapse lungs and make breathing seriously difficult because those rounds cut a nice round hole through the chest wall through which blood can easily also flow.
 
As others have said, never use +P ammo in that pistol. I always kept
Silvertips in my .38 Ruger Service Six. Best is to try several loads and see what groups best in your gun.
 
considering most SD scenerios that involve guns are what point blank out to 20yds?? i think a .38 will suit you just fine with regular loads. keep in mind they are better now than 5-10 yrs ago. if you worry about penetration use FMJ's.. i would feel safe with a .38. with today's rounds
 
I actually used to load those hollow-base wadcutter-backwards loads. You could, if you wished, even put a gas-check over the slightly-cut-back nose of the bullet.

They did expand very well on everything I tested 'em on. Can't testify as to actual combat effectiveness...
 
hoopster said:
any of these loads out of a .38 would probably work just fine
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Thats the best answer. Any differences in weight and loading are subsumed by the countless variables one would encounter in a defensive shooting scenario: placement, angle, body mass, clothing, recipient's demeanor, etc. JMO. Whether with a wheelgun or auto, I am much more concerned that a particular round goes boom every time I pull the trigger.
 
powernoodle said:
thats the best answer. Any differences in weight and loading are subsumed by the countless variables one would encounter in a defensive shooting scenario: Placement, angle, body mass, clothing, recipient's demeanor, etc. Jmo. Whether with a wheelgun or auto, i am much more concerned that a particular round goes boom every time i pull the trigger.
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exactly.
 
Wadcutters do not produce a lot of recoil. Many recommend them even for +P rated guns because they allow fast and accurate shooting. Most would agree that speed and accuracy trumps fancy bullets. Keep in mind that wadcutters are NOT good for fast (and stressful) reloads because of their flat profile.

If you insist on a fancy bullet, Buffalo Bore produces standard pressure .38s that are reputed to hit pretty hard. (I have no experience with them.) http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=23
 
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