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.