.38 Special/.357 purchasing sources

cdoc42 · November 17, 2024, 04:24 PM

I have a friend in Brooklyn, NY who has introduced himself to the handgun world with a .38 Special/.357 Mag.

He is looking for sources to purchase "factory" ammo. I suggested Freedom Munitions but they only offer 158gr and those are out of stock.

Are there any other mail-order sources that anyone can recommend for either or both "factory" and "remanufactured" (for practice) fully loaded 125gr HP and RN ammo?

**JohnKSa** · November 17, 2024, 05:00 PM

SGAMMO.com

Haven't ordered from them in a while, but I've always been happy in the past when I've bought from them. They have a good selection in both calibers right now.

bjw741 · November 17, 2024, 05:24 PM

https://www.georgia-arms.com/

Outpost75 · November 17, 2024, 05:50 PM

Online purchases of ammo cannot be shipped to a residential address im NYC.
It must be shipped to an FFL licensed dealer.

cdoc42 · November 17, 2024, 10:16 PM

The suggestions and opinions are sincerely appreciated. This thought may have been better introduced in the reloading forum, but since I'm here, I'll ask.

Is 158 gr more attractive than 125 in .38 and .357? I found offers on the sites suggested more often are 158, than 125, in RN at least.

My suggestion to my friend was 125 because that's what I've reloaded for the past 47 years, and during that time I have come to understand that energy is more influenced by velocity being squared than mass in the E calculation, so 125gr delivers more energy than 158 at max velocities for each bullet. But is it possible that in-home defense is better with 158 because the lower energy is less likely to penetrate adjoining walls??

**JohnKSa** · November 17, 2024, 10:33 PM

I haven't seen any drywall penetration studies comparing 125gr vs. 158gr bullets in .38Spl and .357Mag, but my gut feel is that the 158s would probably penetrate better.

**44 AMP** · November 18, 2024, 12:32 PM

Quote:

But is it possible that in-home defense is better with 158 because the lower energy is less likely to penetrate adjoining walls??

Not sure what you consider "better", but anything that will penetrate a person will penetrate a wall, IF YOU MISS the person, and some rounds will penetrate a wall after going through a person, unless the wall is made of stone, brick, concrete, or some other bullet resistant material. Regular sheet rock/drywall or even the old lath and plaster construction isn't bullet proof, or even all that bullet resistant.

Paul B. · November 18, 2024, 01:47 PM

I concur with what 44 AMP said. In my S& M60 .38 Spl., my go to load is the federal 125 gr. hollow point Plus P load (Product # 38E on the box) Practice loads are either a home cast 148 gr. wadcutter or a 158 gr. home cast semi-wadcutter. I sometimes run a hard cast 125 gr. truncated bullet at Plus P levels but prefer the others to limit wear and tear on my gun.
For the .357 Magnum, my particular gun is a full size "N" frame S&W and I run a stiffly loaded 158 gr. gas checked semi-wadcutter bullet. Very accurate and has caused the demise of many a jackrabbit.
Paul B.

Webleymkv · November 18, 2024, 04:01 PM

While I'm not particularly familiar with the gun laws of New York (city or state) I do know that they're quite restrictive and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if buying ammunition mail-order were extremely difficult or impossible in NYC. As such, your friend might have better luck finding a brick-and-mortar store to buy ammo from or ordering from a big-box store like Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Academy, etc. and having the ammunition shipped to a nearby store to be picked up.

As far as 125 vs 158 gr in .38 Special and .357 Magnum, 158 gr was the original bullet weight offered in both calibers and therefore considered by most to be the "standard" bullet weight. Many revolvers with fixed sights, particularly older ones, will have their sights regulated for 158 gr bullets since that was the the most common weight. Of course, if your friend's revolver has adjustable sights he can regulate them to whatever bullet weight he likes.

125 gr bullets are more common in hollowpoint loadings intended for self-defense partly because, when HP bullets first gained popularity in the 60's and 70's it was found that the higher velocity that lighter bullets could be driven at was more conducive to bullet expansion. There is a plethora of 125 gr hollopoint loadings available in both .357 Magnum and .38 Special. As far as a "practice" loading of similar weight, Remington's 125 gr JSP loading in .357 Magnum can be had for lower prices than HP loadings in that caliber (though "cheap" and ".357 Magnum" are nearly mutually exclusive in factory ammo these days). In .38 Special, 130 gr FMJ loadings are available from several makers including Remington, Winchester, Federal, Magtech, Aguila, and Fiocchi. In my experience, 130 gr bullets shoot close enough to the same POI as 125 gr to be useful as a practice load when one is carrying 125 gr defensive ammo.

Paul105 · November 18, 2024, 05:08 PM

I've bought here with complete satisfaction.

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/

paul

mikejonestkd · November 18, 2024, 08:16 PM

Your friend will not be able to have ammo shipped to his address in NYC.
They will have to have it shipped to an FFL, and he will have to undergo a background check to be able to purchase it.

Polinese · November 18, 2024, 08:35 PM

Get in touch with the folks at the Westside pistol range in Manhattan. Me and my buddy have sent ammo there before for pickup, but you'll want to touch base with them first.

As for weight I'm of the opinion that 357 was designed for a 158 and that's what it works best with.

November 17, 2024, 04:24 PM	#1
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,765	.38 Special/.357 purchasing sources I have a friend in Brooklyn, NY who has introduced himself to the handgun world with a .38 Special/.357 Mag. He is looking for sources to purchase "factory" ammo. I suggested Freedom Munitions but they only offer 158gr and those are out of stock. Are there any other mail-order sources that anyone can recommend for either or both "factory" and "remanufactured" (for practice) fully loaded 125gr HP and RN ammo?

November 17, 2024, 05:00 PM	#2
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 25,401	SGAMMO.com Haven't ordered from them in a while, but I've always been happy in the past when I've bought from them. They have a good selection in both calibers right now. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

November 17, 2024, 10:33 PM	#6
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 25,401	I haven't seen any drywall penetration studies comparing 125gr vs. 158gr bullets in .38Spl and .357Mag, but my gut feel is that the 158s would probably penetrate better. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

November 18, 2024, 01:47 PM	#8
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,904	I concur with what 44 AMP said. In my S& M60 .38 Spl., my go to load is the federal 125 gr. hollow point Plus P load (Product # 38E on the box) Practice loads are either a home cast 148 gr. wadcutter or a 158 gr. home cast semi-wadcutter. I sometimes run a hard cast 125 gr. truncated bullet at Plus P levels but prefer the others to limit wear and tear on my gun. For the .357 Magnum, my particular gun is a full size "N" frame S&W and I run a stiffly loaded 158 gr. gas checked semi-wadcutter bullet. Very accurate and has caused the demise of many a jackrabbit. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION! Last edited by Paul B.; November 19, 2024 at 02:44 PM.

November 18, 2024, 08:16 PM	#11
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,729	Your friend will not be able to have ammo shipped to his address in NYC. They will have to have it shipped to an FFL, and he will have to undergo a background check to be able to purchase it. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

November 17, 2024, 05:24 PM	#3
bjw741 Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Location: Bella Vista, AR Posts: 79	https://www.georgia-arms.com/

November 17, 2024, 05:50 PM	#4
Outpost75 Member Join Date: October 4, 2024 Location: Potomac Highlands WV Posts: 51	Online purchases of ammo cannot be shipped to a residential address im NYC. It must be shipped to an FFL licensed dealer.

November 17, 2024, 10:16 PM	#5
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,765	The suggestions and opinions are sincerely appreciated. This thought may have been better introduced in the reloading forum, but since I'm here, I'll ask. Is 158 gr more attractive than 125 in .38 and .357? I found offers on the sites suggested more often are 158, than 125, in RN at least. My suggestion to my friend was 125 because that's what I've reloaded for the past 47 years, and during that time I have come to understand that energy is more influenced by velocity being squared than mass in the E calculation, so 125gr delivers more energy than 158 at max velocities for each bullet. But is it possible that in-home defense is better with 158 because the lower energy is less likely to penetrate adjoining walls??

November 18, 2024, 04:01 PM	#9
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,610	While I'm not particularly familiar with the gun laws of New York (city or state) I do know that they're quite restrictive and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if buying ammunition mail-order were extremely difficult or impossible in NYC. As such, your friend might have better luck finding a brick-and-mortar store to buy ammo from or ordering from a big-box store like Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Academy, etc. and having the ammunition shipped to a nearby store to be picked up. As far as 125 vs 158 gr in .38 Special and .357 Magnum, 158 gr was the original bullet weight offered in both calibers and therefore considered by most to be the "standard" bullet weight. Many revolvers with fixed sights, particularly older ones, will have their sights regulated for 158 gr bullets since that was the the most common weight. Of course, if your friend's revolver has adjustable sights he can regulate them to whatever bullet weight he likes. 125 gr bullets are more common in hollowpoint loadings intended for self-defense partly because, when HP bullets first gained popularity in the 60's and 70's it was found that the higher velocity that lighter bullets could be driven at was more conducive to bullet expansion. There is a plethora of 125 gr hollopoint loadings available in both .357 Magnum and .38 Special. As far as a "practice" loading of similar weight, Remington's 125 gr JSP loading in .357 Magnum can be had for lower prices than HP loadings in that caliber (though "cheap" and ".357 Magnum" are nearly mutually exclusive in factory ammo these days). In .38 Special, 130 gr FMJ loadings are available from several makers including Remington, Winchester, Federal, Magtech, Aguila, and Fiocchi. In my experience, 130 gr bullets shoot close enough to the same POI as 125 gr to be useful as a practice load when one is carrying 125 gr defensive ammo.

November 18, 2024, 05:08 PM	#10
Paul105 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 347	I've bought here with complete satisfaction. https://www.targetsportsusa.com/ paul

November 18, 2024, 08:35 PM	#12
Polinese Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2010 Posts: 969	Get in touch with the folks at the Westside pistol range in Manhattan. Me and my buddy have sent ammo there before for pickup, but you'll want to touch base with them first. As for weight I'm of the opinion that 357 was designed for a 158 and that's what it works best with.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search