What personal defense round?

[Antlershed]

I'm wondering what grain/round to go with. The gun is a S&W 442 Airweight chambered in .38 special+P. I shoot the 165 hydrashocks out of my .40 but am not sure what to go with for this gun. Thanks.

[CP]

This is a good read on the subject:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/ammo_by_anonymous.htm

[spur_ride]

i have gold sabres for my .45 and i like the way they shoot. they gun seems to like them as well. i know they make them for the .38 special but i am not sure on their performance in that caliber. 

[huntingfool7]

M. Ayoob lists 158 gr LSWCHP +P (lead semi wad cutter hollow points) and 135 gr Gold Dot hollow point +P as the two stand outs.

[C-Money]

I shoot the 150 gr PMC starfire in my .357 for a defence round. I have some 124gr Starfires for the 9mm. They have shot well for me!

[DOUBLELUNG]

Since that is strictly a concealed carry defensive handgun (and a great one for that purpose), at least take a look at the Glaser safety slug.  Expensive, lethal and overpenetration is a non-issue - pretty important in urbanized areas.

[Gobble]

I shoot the 150 gr PMC starfire in my .357 for a defence round. I have some 124gr Starfires for the 9mm. They have shot well for me!

I shoot the same round out of my .45 good round

[demontang]

I like the pdx1 wins. The gold dot, starfire, hornady xtp, ect are all great bullets too.

[jstone]

Ya know i am looking at pistols for the wife. I have some but need a good one for her when i am gone. I am getting some shady people next door and sometimes i cant sleep. Any ideas for her. I leave her my 44 but it is kinda big, maybe something she can handle?? going to buy soon. I was going to buy a muzzy, but this will be first.

[bankwalker]

Since that is strictly a concealed carry defensive handgun (and a great one for that purpose), at least take a look at the Glaser safety slug.  Expensive, lethal and overpenetration is a non-issue - pretty important in urbanized areas.

my friend shot his self in the leg with a safey slug out of a 380 last year. um OUCH!   it looked very bad and penetrated to the bone. i would not wanna be hit with one thats forsure. might as well be hit with a 410 shotgun

safety slugs is what i used when i conceal carried. those rounds never went with the guns when i sold them. never know when i was gonna get another in the same caliber so i kept them. kinda of one time buy type thing.

[DeKuma]

Go shoot a pumpkin or other melon with a Glaser Safety Slug!     
Would not hesitate for home us with those, but Like the Hornady XTP in the .45

[Antlershed]

This is a good read on the subject:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/ammo_by_anonymous.htm

Wow, thanks for the link. Lots of good info. The article says with a non-steel frame revolver I shouldn't carry a +P load... 

I went to cabelas and Wholesale sports, but all they had was Magtech ammo in stock in .38, so I left empty handed.

[thinkingman]

I bought HSM with Golddots at Sportco a couple of years ago.
Great ammo.
It was like $13/50.

[Huntbear]

.45 Cor bons and Federal hollow points!

[thinkingman]

.45 Cor bons and Federal hollow points!

You'll need a big hammer to get them in the 38sp cylinder.

[mattaylor81]

I'm wondering what grain/round to go with. The gun is a S&W 442 Airweight chambered in .38 special+P. I shoot the 165 hydrashocks out of my .40 but am not sure what to go with for this gun. Thanks.

To answer your original question...  I have a S&W 637 Airweight .38 +P.  This is what I shoot in mine.  129 grain .38 Spcl +P Federal Hydrashocks.  They shoot to point of aim and hydrashocks have a pretty good reputation.

[Antlershed]

I'm wondering what grain/round to go with. The gun is a S&W 442 Airweight chambered in .38 special+P. I shoot the 165 hydrashocks out of my .40 but am not sure what to go with for this gun. Thanks.

To answer your original question...  I have a S&W 637 Airweight .38 +P.  This is what I shoot in mine.  129 grain .38 Spcl +P Federal Hydrashocks.  They shoot to point of aim and hydrashocks have a pretty good reputation.

Thanks. Have you had any issues using the higher pressure +P rounds out of the Airweight like that article alludes to? Now i just gotta find somebody who has federal ammo in stock.

[Huntbear]

.45 Cor bons and Federal hollow points!

You'll need a big hammer to get them in the 38sp cylinder.

Naw, just go buy a .45 

[bankwalker]

imo self deffense with normal rounds IN PUBLIC will get you in trouble. to much of a chance you hit someone in the area.

i would only use safety slugs.

my friends dad uses safety slugs aswell. 16 rounds of 9mm...fills the first half of the clip with safety slugs and the other half with federal vital shoks.

[Grizzly95]

I reload with the XTP when packing for urban predators, I use wad cutters in the woods.