Picked up a S&W 386PD 357mag, what ammo?

[HighVelocity]

What is a good defensive round for this gun? The main reason I wanted it is because of it's super lightweight. Which I have heard does not help in the "fun to shoot" department. I do not plan on shooting it a bunch but would like to CCW it on occasion.
What is a proven performer in a 2.5" 357 that won't break my wrist if I actually had to use it?
Also, who's speedloader works best? Who's got a nice roughout or horsehide IWB holster?

Thanks in advance.

[Marshall]

Shoot .38's out of it or you'll not like the gun. Seriously, I'm not a recoil shy dude either but some things are just not right.

[HighVelocity]

Hmmmm Ok. :confused: I was thinking about those new Gold Dots designed specifically for snubbies, which are 38spl. Or maybe some 125gr SIlvertips in 357mag. Like I said, this isn't something that I got for a range gun. This is more like a drop in pocket to walk the dog gun, or a late night run to the ice cream shop gun.

[revolvergeek]

Very cool! I have been lusting after one of those for a while. I normally shoot either Federal 110 jhp 357mag or Federal 147 +P+ 38spl in my smaller/lighter 357s. Both are very accurate with not too bad blast or kick. I tried so ProLoad Tactical Lite 125 gdhp 357mag ammo, and the recoil is not bad in my 640-1 but the muzzle flash was horrible. I have had a couple guns that preferred the Remington sjhp 110 jhp 357 load to the Federal, so you might try that too. The Speer 135 gdhp 38 spl +p load is very nice, but pretty scarce at the moment.

With all the big dogs I keep seeing around the area, I am thinking to switching to some 140 jhps. The recoil on the Federals that I tried is still managable, but the blast is not as bad as on most of the full power 125 jhps. I have personally had bad luck with the 125 Golden Sabre 357mag load, with it tumbling in two of my guns. Could have been a bad batch of ammo, but I didn't feel like wasting more money to find out.

[dairycreek]

I have a TiSc 7-shot with which I have had great success and satisfaction from Remington 125 grain Golden Saber HPJ 38spcl.+P's. It has been unusually accurate, posesses satifactory power for a self defense round but does not produce overly strong recoil. I surely recommend it for your consideration. :)

[Elmer]

The Speer 135 gdhp 38 spl +p load is very nice, but pretty scarce at the moment.

They've been shipping it for some time. If your local dealer's says it's scarce, they're not trying very hard to find it..... And I have never seen any .38 special perform like it does in gelatin.

[ChristopherG]

Don't be afraid of the gun; it's not going to hurt you. Or rather, it's going to hurt you less as you get used to it. It won't ever be your favorite gun at the range, but that's obviously not its job. I carry an airlite S&W--one of the 12 oz 357's--and yes, it's unpleasant to shoot. But I shoot lots of rounds with other S&W's--Double action, of course--and shoot a few rounds with the 340, and the skills transfer pretty well.

When I first got it, I thought I would never be able to shoot it without bleeding. I was wrong. I don't know if you develop technique, or what, but I can handle a fair amount of .357 fairly comfortably now. I suggest you get some of the 135 gold dot +p in .38 for now, and practice mostly with just .38's--maybe the cheap Winchester 130's, or those you reload (best, of course). Then, this summer, Speer will come out with the 135 Gold Dot in a .357 loading at about 1000 fps, formulated precisely for guns like yours. By that time, you'll be less afraid of the gun and ready to load 'em up.

That's for city carry. For the woods, pack in a full-power 158 JHP or SWC, and tough it out.

[Marshall]

Well, I'm not saying never shoot 357's out of it, if you want to just have them only for defense, nothing wrong with that. I have a M60 J-Frame, it weighs close to twice what that gun does. I shoot average 145gr Silvertips out of it and I promise, you don't want much more kick or boom. I see nothing wrong with carrying what you practice most with and that should be .38's, I would think. Speer has some terrific .38 GDHP in 135gr +P that would make a great load out of that gun and be much more manageable. If the gun was heavier, a whole different story. You'll figure out what you like and don't like though. ;)

[6530]

Then, this summer, Speer will come out with the 135 Gold Dot in a .357 loading at about 1000 fps,

Looks like Midway (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=121256) should have it soon.

It's what I'm planning on using in my 340PD.

[HighVelocity]

Some good info here, keep it coming! For now I've got some Winchester Ranger 110 gr +P+ 38spl in it. Fired a cylinder full to check POI and it wasn't bad at all, well, except for the solar flares coming out of the muzzle. :evil:

[Elmer]

Some good info here, keep it coming! For now I've got some Winchester Ranger 110 gr +P+ 38spl in it. Fired a cylinder full to check POI and it wasn't bad at all, well, except for the solar flares coming out of the muzzle

The large muzzle flash is indicative of powder burning outside of the barrel instead of inside.

The 110 +P+ "treasury" loads were notoriously poor stoppers when they were in vogue. Don't think there's many departments still using them.

[HighVelocity]

The large muzzle flash is indicative of powder burning outside of the barrel instead of inside

Yes, of this I am aware. Still fun though. :p

I'll be at the gunshow this weekend and hopefully I'll be able to find some of those Speer 135's.

[71Commander]

The Speer 135 gdhp 38 spl +p. It was the only gun I have ever shot in .357 that I wished was a 6 shot. After the 6th round, I thought, aw poop, I still have one more to go.

With CT grips.

[HighVelocity]

Went to the gunshow and not one single box of the Speer 135's was to be found. :banghead:

I did pick up a couple boxes of the 125gr Remington Golden Sabres though. :)

[Elmer]

Speer's been shipping it for over a year. Most of the ammo dealers won't carry something unless they get a lot of requests. Not much foresite....