Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special Non-Plus P from a Snub Nose...Effective??

Non +P at 900 and +p at 950 from 2 inch
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Thank you, cocojo, for that info. Never could find out before now just how much CD ammo fell of in a snub. Those are pretty good velocities for two inches of barrel. I wish I could find some actual shooting results, say from a police agency using it for backup. That in itself would speak volumes if they stuck with it after some ballistic testing on suspects.
 
I don't know why Hornady ala Critical defense products makes the argument that armed civilians don't need the penetration recommended by the FBI (12 inches in ballistic gelatin). Yes, as an armed civilian, it is unlikely that I will need to shoot a bad guy through a car windshield so the need for bonded bullets is less.

However, bad guys can be large individuals with arms in the way of critical thoracic structures (heart and lungs) and I would like 12 inches of penetration for my SD loads.

The infamous Miami shootout of 1986 would have been over much sooner if the 9mm Winchester silvertip hollowpoint bullet had penetrated 12 inches into the vitals of one of those bank robbers, Michael Platt. Instead, Platt ran around, kill 2 FBI agents, and wounding nearly a half dozen others after being struck by a fatal but not incapacitating bullet that passed through his arm into his chest but stopped short of his heart early in the fight.

Hornady's critical defense products expand after passing through denim but come up short of the recommended minumum of 12 inches of penetration in .380, 9mm, and 38 special, and 38 special plus P (Hornady claims only 9-10 inches in ballistic gelatin).

I prefer Speer Got Dot, Federal HST, and Winchester Ranger for my snubbie. You can find gelatin test for all those products on the web (goggle search) and they all penetrate 12 inches and expand after passing through denim.

Ballistic gelatin tests may not be perfect but its the best reproducible data we as consumers/users have to compare ammunition made by the various manufacturers. Unless you are unfortunate to live in one of the less free states, nearly any ammuntion is available online delivered to your door by UPS.
 
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The 110 critical defense is going in about 11 to 12.5 more so on the high end. It makes sense, why because expansion is moderate which allows it to go deeper and not slow down. I love this round deep pentration to 12.5 and expansion in the 46 to 50 range, good accuracy and the plug prevents clogging. This really is a good load. As for PD's using it not many 38 specials out there anymore other than a back up gun.
 
As I recently read, the FBI set a minimum penetration depth of 12 inches to allow for sufficient penetration into a torso after passing through several inches of arm or hand. Apparently this is a common enough occurrence in police shootings that it demanded consideration in formulating minimum standards for handgun terminal ballistics. Do a little math, and the desired level of torso penetration is 8-10 inches, more or less. If the Critical Defense 110 grain standard loading will achieve that depth in an unobstructed frontal shot, and is really that much easier to control, then it gets a place on my radar screen.
 
I carry critical defense .357 mag in my SP101, but she should carry what ever round that she can get multiple shots on target with quickly.

I would think that .38 would penetrate the average meth head.
 
I carry Critical Defense in all the autos I use for SD and have never had a problem. I have fired their .38 standard pressure from my j-frame, but when I carry the little Smith, it's loaded with Federal 110gr low-recoil JHPs ... the airweight frame -- pretty close in weight to the LCR -- lets a lot of recoil through, so I looked for the best ammo I could find with low recoil ... I'm guessing if I do my part, those rounds will ruin anybody's day ...

and DON'T give her +p 158gr lead semi-wadcutters, the so-called FBI load ... I fired TWO of them from the j-frame and that was enough; my hand hurt for days ... way too much kick in a lightweight gun ... I love them in my 686+ 4-incher, but that's a ton heavier than the airweight j-frame.
 
Comparing perceived recoil is of little value unless gun weights are included. A couple of ounces makes a noticeable difference when weights get down into the middle to lower teens.
 
" .38 Special Non-Plus P from a Snub Nose...Effective?? "

Depends a whole lot on the attidude of the target. If he's a wimp, yeah, it would be effective. Otherwise, not so much but it's better than rolling into a fetal ball and begging, "Please don't hurt me." Just being small and light will encourage having it at hand when it's needed and that's much more effective than a 1911 at home.

My 70 year old wife has a 2" .38 Stainless Charter Arms in her purse and a 6" .357 Ruger Black Hawk at her bedside, both loaded with normal hard cast bullet reloaded ammo for the cartridge. She has the skill and balls to use either one effectively; Lord help the fool who tries to harm her - or me! ;)
 
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