Just picked up a .38 special +p rated J-frame. Had it for two days and I'm already impressed at how easy it is to carry this thing!
Looked at lots of .38 gel tests. Lucky Gunner rules.
Looks like, out of really short barrels like this one, no ammo is really going to steal the show, and minus a few total flunkies, most that he tested came in around the 12-13" average penetration. +p didn't seem to matter much in the 2" barrels, maybe a slight edge when he tested with the 4" barrels.
All came up consistently short of typical 9mm performance from 3" barrels.
My takeaway with 9mm defensive ammo was "pick any major reputable brand, and don't miss." With .38 it seems "pick any major reputable brand, and REALLY don't miss cuz ya only gots 5 shots."
I picked up Critical Defense 110 grain +p, because it was a decent price, pretty well rated and the little red rubber tips look cool.
I guess my questions here:
1. Since expansion on any of these is not tremendous, and penetration is overall shallow, is it ballistically better to just shoot FMJ? (Similar questions are often asked of .380 ACP)
2. I haven't had a chance to shoot the new ammo yet -- does +p really make much recoil difference?
I have shot .357 magnum from an airweight revolver once before, and do not care to repeat that experience -- although within 10' I think the bad guy would have been consumed in a ball of fire
Looked at lots of .38 gel tests. Lucky Gunner rules.
Looks like, out of really short barrels like this one, no ammo is really going to steal the show, and minus a few total flunkies, most that he tested came in around the 12-13" average penetration. +p didn't seem to matter much in the 2" barrels, maybe a slight edge when he tested with the 4" barrels.
All came up consistently short of typical 9mm performance from 3" barrels.
My takeaway with 9mm defensive ammo was "pick any major reputable brand, and don't miss." With .38 it seems "pick any major reputable brand, and REALLY don't miss cuz ya only gots 5 shots."
I picked up Critical Defense 110 grain +p, because it was a decent price, pretty well rated and the little red rubber tips look cool.
I guess my questions here:
1. Since expansion on any of these is not tremendous, and penetration is overall shallow, is it ballistically better to just shoot FMJ? (Similar questions are often asked of .380 ACP)
2. I haven't had a chance to shoot the new ammo yet -- does +p really make much recoil difference?
I have shot .357 magnum from an airweight revolver once before, and do not care to repeat that experience -- although within 10' I think the bad guy would have been consumed in a ball of fire