Model 36 loads?

Z

ZVP

New member
I had my eye on a Model 12 when this Nickle 36 caught it away and I jumped on the little Model 36 2"!
Now I am looking for some advice on ammo for it.
Would 125gr or 158gr bullets be best?
How bout suggested ammo brands?
I have some handloads and a couple boxes of 158gr Remingtons on hand for my Vaquero...
I know the little steel 36 is NOT +P rated but I am sure that is no problem.
I dunno about using the reloads in the little revolver as they are pretty stout. I think I ought to stick with Factory loaded ammo both for pratice and social work.
Thanks,
ZVP
 
M36's generally have their sights regulated for 158gr bullets so that weight would probably be the best choice for both practice and carry. While older J-Frames are not rated for +P, it can be shot in limited amounts (i.e. 1-2 boxes per year) with no ill effect. My carry loading of choice for my own M36 is Remington 158gr LSWCHP +P. For practice, I usually shoot my own handloads consisting of a 158gr LSWC over 4gr. of Unique, but if I'm using factory ammo for practice, I usually just pick the cheapest 158gr standard pressure .38 Special ammo I can find (usually either UMC or American Eagle LRN).
 
If you can find it, I would carry 135 grain Speer +P Short Barrel in it for social work.
For practice some standard velocity 158 should work fine.

Bob
 
I would stick wit the old school standard pressure 158 grain LSWCHP round. Its tried and true with no nonsense about it. I would look at either the Winchester variety or the standard pressure Buffalo Bore.
 
Aside, perhaps, from Buffalo Bore, I can't think of anyone that offers a standard pressure LSWC hollow point. Several offer standard pressure LSWC (and I could live with that). The Nyclad is as close as I can think of and it is 125 grain to boost velocity (presumably). Is there someone I'm missing?
 
Buffalo Bore, Winchester, Remington all offer 158 grain LSWCHP. I beleive Hornady has a 158 grain jacketed load ad well.
 
Viper hit it right on the nose. The load was developed at the request of NYPD, and in my humble opinion, it puts the venerable .38 Spl. into a whole new world. I guess that's why I have so many of them in my safe.
 
My wife and I have carried a 3" barreled M36 since '92, and in her case, a M637 for the last two years. Over the years I've changed ammunition choices several times but finally ended up with Remington's Golden Saber, +P 125 gr JHP; after they were recommended by an FBI agent friend. His son, currently a Secret Service agent, seconded the choice as well. Accuracy with this round produced ragged one hole groups from these two Smiths at 10 yds. Expansion, tested in a water medium is shown in the pic below...the velocities shown were personally chronographed, using a five round average. While water will not duplicate expansion in flesh and blood, it does allow repeatable test variables and the end expansion shows what the particular bullet is capable of. BTW, that Golden Saber round's expansion duplicates the long discontinued "Black Talon" round of similar weight...a plus in my estimation!

We carry using the +P rounds and have shot them enough to check for impact points, expansion and reliability. We practice with LSWC's hand loaded to simulate the recoil from the +P rounds. At defense distances, up to 15 yds, impact points are very close, less than 2" difference at 15.

While S&W does not, to my knowledge, recommend +P for use in older guns, their modern versions, to include the Airweight M637 are OK for +P use. Higher pressure ammunition will prematurely wear a gun not designed for its use, so we practice with the lower pressure rounds.

Here's some comparative results with several brands of defensive .38 Special ammunition. The LSWC on the left is our practice round for comparison.

HTH's Rod

P8181567-1.jpg
 
If you can find it, I would carry 135 grain Speer +P Short Barrel in it for social work.
For practice some standard velocity 158 should work fine.
Click to expand...

Actually, if you're going to use the 135gr Speer loading (which will likely shoot low in a fixed-sighted M36) you'd be better to use a similar weight bullet for a practice loading so that it will shoot to a similar POI. I've found that the 135gr Speer SBGD and Winchester 130gr FMJ shoot to nearly the identical POI in my M36.
 
So basically the 158 gr is the factory suggested bullet weight that S&W designed the Model 36 around and it is the best weight of bullet to shoot? Since this is the optimum weight I think that I wil shy away from the 125 gr bullet weight with several powder charge levels available.
I really appreciate the explainarions given to me by posters and will adhere to the advice given.
I have waited all my life to get a Model 36 (you know how it is, you always buy something else...) and now that I have finally bought one, I don't want to harm the revolver! The little gun is a "Keeper", a highly personal gun meant to be part of me and a friend for life! It will be my primary self defense option. I can't think of a more friendly personal weapon.
Yhankyou for all yhe help!
ZVP
 
ZVP 158 is not exactly THE best load. When the 36 came out the 158 grain was pretty much the standard. For a standard pressure round IMO it is the best but a 135 grain Speer SBGD JHP is a serious load. The +p 158 grain Buffalo Bore is about the hottest factory .38 Special round but I have not heard such good things for their standard pressure variety. Any good modern JHP or Semi JHP will give very good performance.
 
ZVP, you've received lots of good advice so far, but let me add my $.02. For your Chief Special I would train with standard pressure 158Gr. ammo, for self defense I would carry the Federal brand F.B.I. load which is a P+ 158Gr. HPSWC. I would finish every range session by firing 10 - 15 rounds of this ammo to determine your Point of impact.

Best with whatever you do.
 
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