First J-Frame CCW - Need Ammo Recommendation

[Rockrivr1]

I'm sure this has been covered before but I was unable to find it using the search function.

My question basically is that I'll be CCWing full time, for the first time ever for me, starting tomorrow with a new 642. I'm looking for some recommendations on what is a good carry round for this type of revolver.

If someone has a link to a post that covers this please post it and I'll go there.

Thanks.

 

[P95loser]

corbon +P JHP is excellent ammo... itll run you like 15 bucks for 20 rounds...

but its got great spreading and penetration

 

[Universal]

Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P.

 

[Bulldozer]

Either the 135-grain Gold Dot or the 158 LSWC-HP. Both are great loads.

 

[Ala Dan]

Federal Nyclads

 

[DR]

Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P.

+1 on that. Speer designed the load specifically for snubbies. It has acceptable recoil, is accurate, and ejects easily in my 642. I've also used the Federal 129gr load. It seems to have slightly worse recoil to me and the cases are a little sticky.

 

[Jim Watson]

Dan, you got a time machine or a private stash of Nyclads? I have a few left dedicated to my old M38 but when they are gone, they are gone.

I will then use 158 gr lead HP which I have for my steel .38s but will check out the 135 grain Speer to see if it is hype or hit.

 

[fiVe]

I've had good success with 125gr JHP from Federal & Remington.

 

[pfgrone]

"Good Success" ?

Five,
Just curious, what do you mean by "good success"? Very accurate or no fail-to-fires or a number of one shot stops in the LEO world or what?
Paul G.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Jim Watson My Friend-

No sir, I just have five (total) .38 Special Federal Nyclads. They came
with a firearm that we recently took in on trade.

 

[ChuckB]

I put some Spreer Gold Dot 135gr +P's through my 637 today, and was surprised that the recoil was not worse. Not much heavier than standard load .38's. I wouldn't shoot them all day, but a box of 20 through a gun now and then gets you comfortable with the combination.

Chuck

 

[P. Plainsman]

Either the 135-grain Gold Dot or the 158 LSWC-HP. Both are great loads.

What he said. That's the Speer Gold Dot 135 gr .38 Special +P JHP or the Winchester (or Remington, but I never see the Rem version on the shelves) 158 gr .38 Special +P plain lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint.

Plenty of capable .38 stuff out there, but I think it'd be hard to make the case against carrying one or the other of these two rounds in your S&W 642. This is an extremely popular CCW arrangement. Once I get my 642, it's what I'm going to use. Snubby in the right pants pocket (DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster), five Speer 135 gr Gold Dots on board, speedloader in the other pocket or in my jacket with five more of same. I bet there are a half-dozen folks reading this thread now with a virtually identical setup.

Interesting article on .38 snubbies vs. small autos that should make you feel good about your carry choice:

http://www.gunweek.com/2005/feature0620.html

 

[Bulldozer]

Got a box of 50 125 Nyclad HP for just $10 in a local gunstore's "junk" bin.

Also got 2 20-rd boxes of Super Vel 110 JHP 38 special from same junk bin, just $6.00 per box.

 

[Pointblank]

Corbon DPX

 

[fiVe]

pfgrone: Sorry for the confusion. I meant "very accurate or no fail-to-fires".

I'm not an expert marksman, but I noticed my accuracy improved with the 125gr over the 135gr Gold Dots. I'm sure it has more to do with the shooter than the ammo, but since my shot placement was better, I feel better carrying them.

As far as 1-shot stops, I have no clue. They are +P rounds, but placement, I'm sure, will be a key factor.

I know the vast majority say the 135gr +P Gold Dots are the best snubbie round and I can't argue with that. I personnally did better with the 125gr +P, and thus felt I should carry the ammo with which I am more confident. YMMV.

Concerning failure-to-fire: I have shot 5 different brands from my 642 with absolutely NO failure-to-fire incidents.

Regards,
fiVe

 

[MR.G]

I like the 158 gr. +P SWHP. Either Federal Nyclad, or the Winchester. Zero also makes some good ones, new and reloaded.

 

[fiVe]

P. Plainsman: Thanks for the link.

This is an extremely popular CCW arrangement. Once I get my 642, it's what I'm going to use. Snubby in the right pants pocket........five Speer 135 gr Gold Dots on board, speedloader in the other pocket or in my jacket with five more of same. I bet there are a half-dozen folks reading this thread now with a virtually identical setup.

This is almost my setup. I carry 125gr +P Remingtons in my 642 and being left-handed, I carry opposite your description.

 

[Universal]

Mine as well. I carry a model 640 (no dash) loaded with the 135 grain Speer rounds in a Nemesis holster.

 

[cookekdjr]

I'm thinking of loading 148 grain WC target loads. Low velocity, sure, but they are easier on the hand, easier to make follow-up shots, and wadcutters are known to be pretty deadly. Kind of a dum-dum bullet.
-David

 

[magsnubby]

Another vote for the 135 gr Gold Dots.

 

[HighVelocity]

125gr Remington Golden Sabre is a nice load. Shoots real nice in my J frame.

 

[Newton]

Another strong rec. for Speer Gold Dot 135 gr .38 Special +P JHP