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Post by LowKey on Feb 9, 2018 3:28:49 GMT
Among the firearms I just inherited are two .38 Specials, one a Colt Police Positive the other Taurus.
What are the "optimum" loads in the opinion of the crowd here?
BTW, is it heresy that I actually like the feel of the Taurus? I thought they were the Hi-Point of revolvers.
I'm a newbie to wheel-guns, so please be gentile...
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Post by Browning35 on Feb 9, 2018 19:58:28 GMT
You kinda scored (IMO) on the Colt. Always liked those. As far as Colt went it was generally the one getting used and carried in holsters back in the day compared to their other models. Sort of in the same class as the S&W model 10, a work horse. With the Taurus for the most part they're fine. The Taurus isn't going to fetch as much as the Colt, but it'll likely work fine. Their QC isn't the same as American or European gun companies, but they put out a decent pistol. Sending it back for warranty is supposed to be a nightmare. On loads I mostly shot the 158 grain fir practice (kinda like how most people shoot 55 gr .223 for training/plinking and then go to the 70 to 75 grain for social work) and as a second choice the 125 gr. For defensive loads I went with the 125 JHP with the lead exposed on the tip. In terms of wound potential from what I understand it's supposed to be about the same as a 9mil. edit : Found this.... hipowersandhandguns.com/38%20Special%20158gr%20LSWCHP.htm |
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Post by LowKey on Feb 11, 2018 0:50:12 GMT
Thanks, Browning.
Unless something I inherited turns out to be investment potential or worth thousands they're going to be shooters.
Pampered in some cases, but shooters none the less.
I appreciate the load data, looks like 158 gr is a reliable load to feed both of them. Nothing fancy but will get the job done right.
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Post by Browning35 on Feb 11, 2018 18:51:47 GMT
Yeah, 158 gr is generally pretty good. I'm not sure if the .38 Special benefited from the new bullet technology the same way that 9mm did with as many loads being made for it. I imagine that it did though. That's something you might want to research further. I'm not sure if those loads are considered +P and if that might hurt the Colt.
I've only ever owned one actual .38 special (a S&W model 10), but I've shot a ton of it out of S&W model 19's and 66's. Revolvers get somewhat of a bad rap in comparison with some of the 17 and 20 rd 9mm's made today, but for short engagement and run type situations it would likely be fine. It's just that most are going to default to the 9mm or .40 just because you can't ever tell what might happen. On gunfight statistics I've always heard that 3 rds are the average for being fired at 3 yards, in not sure how much truth there is to that though.
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Post by as556 on Feb 27, 2018 2:38:51 GMT
I like .38 a lot.
You can easily get a .358" 158gr LHP to 900fps in a 3" bbl which compares favorably to a .355" 147gr JHP 9mm out of a 4" bbl clocking 990.
.38 has great diversity in loads and inherently is superbly accurate. Its easy to handload in a variety of different power levels as its not needed to have a certain fps to cycle the slide and is a great small game cartridge. Will work with virtually any powder and bullet but fixed sight guns are generally regulated for 158gr pills at about 800fps. Deviating from that will likely change your POI.
If you are looking at using them for defense (I do!) Then 135gr Gold Dot, 130gr HST and 158gr +P LSWCHP (the famous FBI load) will serve you well.
Its been around since the late 1800s and I expect it'll be around 100 more. .38spl is a true classic like the .45auto and .30-06 and is a necessary part of any collection.
As to the brands, I had poor luck with my Taurus 85 snub. I just have S&Ws now and love them.
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Post by Browning35 on Feb 28, 2018 13:13:40 GMT
I keep meaning to get a S&W DAO snub for pocket carry, but it keeps getting bumped off the top of the list for AR stuff.
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Post by as556 on Mar 2, 2018 0:14:19 GMT
Yeah I have a 442 but mostly carry it IWB. It doesn't get a lot of carry time but I still appreciate a solid revolver I think even in today's age of semis it has a lot of upside to it.
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