Speer GDSB .38 special in a 4" barrel

M

Model12Win

Moderator
Hey guys! I've been doing some reading on .38 special self defense loads, and I read that the NYCPD used Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .38 Special 135 grain +P loads for use not only in it's back up snubs, but also as the duty load for officers that still used 4" 6-shot .38 special service revolvers as their primary sidearm.

This was of interest to me because I have a stock of this Speer GDSB load for my S&W 642 for CCW, but was looking for a home defense load for my S&W Model 64 which has a 4" barrel. I wondered if there were any gel test for the Short Barrel load from a 4" revolver, and I found this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnhjGPhvsIo

Looks like this load works well from both snub barrels AND 4" service revolver barrel lengths. Maybe that's why the NYCPD used them in a dual role like they did. Well I think I have found my new HD load for my Model 64, and conveniently, it's the same load I use in my EDC gun. Just thought you guys might want to see this.

What do you all think?
 
Chrono Data

I have no doubt that the Speer 135 GDSB is about as effective as 38 Special +P is going to be (there is no insult implied there; I consider 38+P plenty sufficient for SD). It is an extremely well engineered bullet design for the application.

I have chronographed them through my S&W Model 67 w/ 4" bbl.

1011 fps; 306 ft/lbs. 17.91 Standard Deviation - which is very consistent.

It's a good round.
 
When he shows the block cut in half all that torn up ballistic gel looks prety permanent to me!
Click to expand...

Understood. The cracks in the gelatin are caused by the temporary cavity. Gelatin fractures more easily than human soft tissues. The "torn up ballistic gelatin" simply represents the diameter of the temporary cavity, which may or may not translate into permanent disruption depending on the specific tissues involved. Elastic soft tissues will be bruised. With non-elastic soft tissues, such as kidney, liver and spleen, the temporary cavity has the potential to increase permanent disruption beyond that which is directly contacted and crushed by the penetrating bullet.
 
I was just reading a thread today where it stated that the Speer Gold Dot .38+p Short Barrel ammo does not expand at all from a 2" barrel.

I will try to find and link it, but he had multiple gelatin tests. That is the only load I own and carry in my j-frame, and I was not pleased to read that.

Yes, I own a 4" S&W, but I don't carry that, so the fact that this ammo works well in a 4" is irrelevant.
It is marketed as Short Barrel ammo, and it if it does not expand from a 1 7/8 S&W j-frame, it is useless to me..
 
orionengnr, if you can't still find the Technical Data Package 38 Special +P 135 gr Gold Dot Hollow Point .pdf online, PM me your email address and I'll send it to you. It ought to answer your questions and concerns.

I saw some fired in a 4-layer denim/gel hosted test I attended (for another ammo company) when it had just been released, fired from a guy's 360PD. It did just as advertised. (Then again, so did the guy's grungy Remington 125gr HPJ/BJHP +P loads, when he tried them in the same test that afternoon.)

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orionengnr, every test I've seen of this load out of a snub barrel is excellent.

I would like to see the link of what you were reading.
 
I was just reading a thread today where it stated that the Speer Gold Dot .38+p Short Barrel ammo does not expand at all from a 2" barrel.
Click to expand...
Or you could do a google search of Speer Gold Dot 38 Short Barrel, and watch a half dozen or more videos of ballistic gel test that shows it penetrates, and expands quite well. Both with four layers of denim, and bare gel.
 
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