Best Defensive Ammo for .38 Snubby and Pocket .380

[2damnold4this]

If you reload, Speer makes bullet that are specifically designed for short barrels.

Do you know where I can find some 135 Gold Dots for short barrels?

[TruthTellers]

In this calibers with short barrels I prefer the solid copper-polymer bullets made by a few companies, the one I know most is Inceptor. Performance is consistent, no need to worry about having enough velocity to expand the bullet and the recoil is a bit lower too.

[Hellcat1]

In case anyone is interested, Underwood is having a pretty nice sale on their highly rated defensive .380 ammo right now (possibly other calibers as well). I just ordered some, myself.


Frank

[Nathan]

Luckygunner labs is your friend.

I went with Remington Golden Saber Defense Compact Ammunition 38 Special +P 125 Grain. I’ll be carrying in my 2” 340.

In my Kahr CW380, I carry Fiocchi Extrema 380 ACP AUTO Ammo 90 Grain Hornady XTP. That bullet performed quite well.

[MDCCXXIs]

Choosing the best defensive ammunition for a .38 snubby revolver and a pocket bulk 45 ACP pistol involves considering factors like penetration, expansion, and recoil. Here are some popular choices for defensive ammo in these calibers.

[Sgt127]

I’m weird. I get that. I’m all about penetration. I bought a case of .38 Special 158 gr Semiwadcutters years ago. No HP. On the rare occasions I carry my Airweight 642, that’s what’s in it.

In .380 I carry the non +P Buffalo Bore hardcast. UNLESS I know I’m carrying in a heavily populated area, like Las Vegas. Then, I’ll load with Gold Dots.

[Paul B.]

"Best" is a discussion that typically evokes a lot of personal opinions.

How true. My thought has always been the best load in the gun is whatever happens to be in the gun when the Vigaro hits the Mixmaster. You don't have time to holler, "Hold on. I've got to change from target ammo to fighting ammo." You just go with what you have.

My carry back up .380 is a Walther PPK/s and I run the Federal Hydrashoks. I also sometimes carry a Walther PP in .32 ACP on very rare occasions, usually as a back up to something bigger.

My usual back up piece though is an S&W M60 .38 Spl. running Federal 125 gr. +P hollow points. Most time when I practice I run 148 gr. wadcutter loads, sometimes Winchester brand or handloads using my home cast 148 gr. Lyman #358495 bullet over .3.1 gr. W231 or 2.7 gr. Bullseye when just plinking with the gun.

Normal carry gun is a Colt Combat Commander in .45 ACP BTW.
Paul B.

[Buckeye!]

642 148gr LWC , 158gr SWC in speed strips for reloads

LCP … 100gr FNFMJ

[ZoieBarnett]

I looked for recommendations on YouTube, but, you know, sometimes personal experience speaks louder than anything else. I was kinda skeptical about buying ammo in the first place. Although, of course, my perspective has recently changed when I started buying from https://bulkmunitions.com/. It seemed like a good option since it was easier for me to compare different options from the home site. I was just curious to find out if anyone has ever tried to buy ammunition from them.

[Nathan]

There is so much suspect and conflicting info in these 2 pages. I cannot comprehend how to make a good decision or if I made one.

It all comes down to ballistic performance of a round, your guns ability to facilitate that and your ability to run the gun. I thought we were talking about ballistic performance…..hmm.

[44caliberkid]

For 38 Special, in the old days (70’s) I loaded the 148 gr. hollow base wadcutters backwards at around 850 - 900 fps. Now, all my snubbies are 357, but if I was loading for 38, I would still like a soft lead 158 gr. SWC at 850 - 900. My daughter has the 38 and I have her buy Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain, mainly for lower recoil with the lighter bullet. She practices with 130 gr. FMC.
My 380 has Remington Golden Sabers in it, but I have a box of high zoot Underwood sitting on the shelf.

[Drm50]

I carry Winchester 200gr lead, super police in my 37.