Hi guys.I have a model 36 and want a good defense load for it.It is an older gun but still very tight.Are semi wadcutters a good choice?Or should i go with HP ammo.Right now i use Federal hydra shock ammo standard velocity.I have heard most .38 HP ammo works best out of 4" guns is this true?Is the .38 SPL a good defense round?I heard of an old man in san fransisco recently that shot and killed an intruder that was advancing on him with a crowbar or something.It worked for him!Any help would be great!
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
GOOD DEFENSE LOAD FOR 2" S&W 36?
- Thread starter 1911guy
- Start date
Mike Baugh
New member
Federal 125 gr. Nyclad standard pressure loads . Good luck , Mike...
I ran several thousand GI hardball through a first edition 2" J. No ill effects.
Current back up is a 3" first edition J, I carry Cor-bon 125+p.
Timing is important, if timing is the slightest bit out the strain on the gun is increased.
Pratice, practice, placement, placement.
Practice with handloads but carry commercial.
------------------
Sam I am, grn egs n packin
Nikita Khrushchev predicted confidently in a speech in Bucharest, Rumania on June 19, 1962 that: " The United States will eventually fly the Communist Red Flag...the American people will hoist it themselves."
Current back up is a 3" first edition J, I carry Cor-bon 125+p.
Timing is important, if timing is the slightest bit out the strain on the gun is increased.
Pratice, practice, placement, placement.
Practice with handloads but carry commercial.
------------------
Sam I am, grn egs n packin
Nikita Khrushchev predicted confidently in a speech in Bucharest, Rumania on June 19, 1962 that: " The United States will eventually fly the Communist Red Flag...the American people will hoist it themselves."
Stephen A. Camp
Staff In Memoriam
Hello, 1911Guy! Since it's not rated for +P, I, too, highly recommend the Federal Nyclad 125 gr HP in its standard pressure loading.
It's my load of choice for my S&W M042. It hits point of aim for me out to about 15 yards and is easy to control in rapid, accurate fire. Expansion has proven reliable in various media like wetpack, water, gelatin, and one armadillo. Nominal velocity is expected to be right around 800 ft/sec from a 2", but it has clocked a bit faster from this particular gun in the past. I see no real advantage in the +P version of this load as the bullet is not pure lead as the standard pressure load is, but is antimonied to make it a bit harder. Best and good shooting.
It's my load of choice for my S&W M042. It hits point of aim for me out to about 15 yards and is easy to control in rapid, accurate fire. Expansion has proven reliable in various media like wetpack, water, gelatin, and one armadillo. Nominal velocity is expected to be right around 800 ft/sec from a 2", but it has clocked a bit faster from this particular gun in the past. I see no real advantage in the +P version of this load as the bullet is not pure lead as the standard pressure load is, but is antimonied to make it a bit harder. Best and good shooting.
Stephen A. Camp
Staff In Memoriam
Hello again, 1911Guy. I failed to answer the rest of your questions! Yes, most HP ammo works better out of the 4" guns as they provide more velocity which means expansion and "terminal effect" are enhanced. Note that the recommend Federal Nyclad load is also called the "Chief's Special" load as it's designed to work in the shorter bbls. The .38 Special is an adequate self-defense round assuming accurate placement of shots and one of the better loads. It does not have energy, momentum, or whatever measure of "stopping power" you may subscribe to. It is adequate, but not superb. In its favor is a recoil level easily handled by most and while the J-frame and other small guns for it are harder to shoot accurately and kick more than the larger ones, the Federal loads helps in that area of concern. The advantage to the .38 snub in my opinion is two-fold: It's a reliable small package of adequate power and it's more likely to be with you more of the time than a heavier, albeit more powerful sidearm. I guess there's a third reason: They are very simple to get into action. I own and shoot many semis and revolvers in 9mm, .357 mag, .44 Spec, .45ACP and so forth as do many here. My "always" gun is my legally carried and concealed S&W snub loaded with Federal Nyclad 125 gr HP. Best.
I believe the 158 SWHP or SWSP is the best for the 2" J frame. You can not expect expansion from a hollow point bullet at the velocity a 2" barrel will give you. The semi-wad cutter's sharp edges will allow more tissue destruction than a hollow point that does not open. The heavier weight of the 158 grain bullet will give fair (better than the 125) penetration. I use the Nyclad 158 SWHP .
I will echo the recommendation for the 125 grain Nyclad HP load. A bit hard to find but you can order from J&G Sales -- see their ads in SGN or TGL.
There are two schools of thought on loads for the snubby .38 Specials: (1) the Nyclad load ; or (2) the Treasury load. The Treasury load is the Winchester 158 grain SWCJHP load in +P guise.
The Treasury load is based upon the premise that you're not going to get enough velocity out of a 2" barrel .38 Special to get reliable penetration -- so it throws the heaviest bullet possible without a real HP cavity for expansion.
Even though most J-Frames are not rated for +P loads, some people carry the Treasury load and practice with a standard pressure load. IMHO, this is not a good idea -- gotta practice with the closest thing to your carry load so you don't get a surprise when the balloon goes up.
The Nyclad load, with its nylon jacket, is supposed to expand despite the low velocity because of the (lack of) strength in the nylon jacket. Bullet with nylon jacket will expand more easily than bullet with copper or brass jacket.
Take your pick and you'll be fine. Just make sure you can shoot the Treasury load (+P loads out of a snubby are a real hoot) before you carry it.
Justin
------------------
Justin T. Huang, Esq.
late of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
There are two schools of thought on loads for the snubby .38 Specials: (1) the Nyclad load ; or (2) the Treasury load. The Treasury load is the Winchester 158 grain SWCJHP load in +P guise.
The Treasury load is based upon the premise that you're not going to get enough velocity out of a 2" barrel .38 Special to get reliable penetration -- so it throws the heaviest bullet possible without a real HP cavity for expansion.
Even though most J-Frames are not rated for +P loads, some people carry the Treasury load and practice with a standard pressure load. IMHO, this is not a good idea -- gotta practice with the closest thing to your carry load so you don't get a surprise when the balloon goes up.
The Nyclad load, with its nylon jacket, is supposed to expand despite the low velocity because of the (lack of) strength in the nylon jacket. Bullet with nylon jacket will expand more easily than bullet with copper or brass jacket.
Take your pick and you'll be fine. Just make sure you can shoot the Treasury load (+P loads out of a snubby are a real hoot) before you carry it.
Justin
------------------
Justin T. Huang, Esq.
late of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Kentucky Rifle
New member
My S&W model 36 is my second oldest pistol. I purchased it the day before I got married so I would have something fairly powerful to take on our honeymoon/camping trip to Colorado. I also use the Federal standard pressure Nyclad hollow points. That's what my wife shoots in her Taurus Total Ti. Great round that doesn't leave lead in the barrel. A lot of people here use them.
I didn't know that you could get standard pressure Hydra-Shoks. I'll look for those.
Will
------------------
Mendacity is the system we live in.
I didn't know that you could get standard pressure Hydra-Shoks. I'll look for those.
Will
------------------
Mendacity is the system we live in.
I'm kind of late to the party here, but any experiences with the Federal PD load for .38 sp? (110 gr Hydra-shock). I recently picked up a new J-frame (PRE-sellout) airweight, and haven't quite worked up to +P's yet, though I'm planning to try some in the near future. I'm not that recoil-sensitive, and have never been able to tell the difference in recoil with other Federal PD loads (in 9mm and .40), so I'll probably go with a mid-weight projectile in +P if it's manageable, but wondered about other's experiences. Thanks!
Andrew
Andrew
Patrick Graham
Moderator
I carry Federal Nyclad 125 gr Std velocity in my Modl 60. They go splat when they hit and the muzzle blast is not bad. They are also easy on the little J frame.
Nyclads are real good,,,,I prefer the heavier bullet but that 125 apparently does all right as well.........but i weigh in a little differently, in my pocket pistol a little jframe smith i use glaser, Im not going to be trying to stop you at some hughe distance.....and generally a speed strip with hydrashocks...thats the combo I use ....fubsy.
VictorLouis
New member
What WESHOOT2 said, in Nyclad of course.
Years ago, the NRA did an article on this. One overlooked load for alloy frames especially was the target WC!!
Think about it. The square nose and pure lead aids energy transfer,and the low recoil helps control. Since the most effective load is one accurately placed, the " Shootability" of that load and its cheapness(hence more can be shot) will make up any supposed lack of moxie.
BTW, wet newspaper results we did with Federal Target WCs and the old 95gr Chief's Special load were nigh identical, 8-10" penetration and better expansion from the WC.
Think about it. The square nose and pure lead aids energy transfer,and the low recoil helps control. Since the most effective load is one accurately placed, the " Shootability" of that load and its cheapness(hence more can be shot) will make up any supposed lack of moxie.
BTW, wet newspaper results we did with Federal Target WCs and the old 95gr Chief's Special load were nigh identical, 8-10" penetration and better expansion from the WC.