Suppressors Ammo for the snubby

[SPM]

The gent at my local gunshop suggested wad cutters for personal protection for my S&W 642. He stated with a barrel length of less than 2" hollers wouldn't expand. Not my area of expertise so what do you think? Thanks, SPM

P.S no +P's as my wife will be carring this weapon.

 

[malaga2]

Re: Ammo for the snubby

good advice.... wadcutters are the way to go....

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Ammo for the snubby

I wouldn't say ALL HPs dont work in snubbies because I havent tried them.

I will say I haven't had much luck with the HPs I've tried in my 642.

Below is a compairson of a Black Hills 125 gr HP +P and my 150 grn SWCs (Lyman 358477) pushed by 5.4 grns of unique. They were fired into wet phone books, penitration was about the same.

 

[Red_SC]

Re: Ammo for the snubby

135 gr Speer Gold Dots- they're specifically designed to expand out of snubbies.

 

[bachelorjack]

Re: Ammo for the snubby

As Red Stated. Speer makes a 135gr Gold Dot Short barrel load.

I also like Buffalo Bore's 158gr Soft Lead HP's. They have a short barrel and a short barrel +p load. I'm running the +p.

These short barrel specific loads are nice in that they are optimized for barrel length and utilize low flash powders.

 

[ORD]

Re: Ammo for the snubby

The short-barreled specific loads (I have only used the Speed GD ammo) is the ticket for any snubby. They expand well, don't kill you on recoil even with the +P loads, and the muzzle flash is reduced to a level that a follow-up shot (or shots) in low-light conditions is much easier to accomplish.

Here you go:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=738035

 

[Doc Holiday13]

Re: Ammo for the snubby

Hornady critical defense ammo has gotten some really good reviews. It's a ballistic tip 38 special

 

[SPM]

Re: Ammo for the snubby

As always great info. I never knew about short barrel loads. Thanks alot, SPM

 

[16 Bore]

Re: Ammo for the snubby

I'd worry less about what's coming out and more about where its going........

 

[BookHound]

Re: Ammo for the snubby

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 16 Bore</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd worry less about what's coming out and more about where its going........ </div></div>


True, but when you do hit your target the round needs to perform. So, while accuracy is essential bullet performance very much needs to be a strong consideration.

I hike a lot and find toting the 642 with CT grips a better choice than humping a full-size 1911. I did my own research into projectile performance and then tested various loads in phone books and ballistic gelatin. I settled on the aforementioned Speer +P 135-grain GDHP loads. They shoot very well out of the gun, flash isn't too terrible and the weapon is controllable.

I'd still rather have a full-size 1911 on my hip but for times when that isn't practical I know the 642 will be okay.

 

[drmarc]

Re: Ammo for the snubby

As mentioned above Hornady's Critical Defense non +P, ballistic tip hollowpoints are nice.

 

[16 Bore]

Re: Ammo for the snubby

642 is no slouch......Still waiting for the titanium 1911.