[malvinf]

would you prefer +p bullets on this .38 special revolver?

[Jim March]

For carry and at least "familiarity practice"? Absolutely. I'm pretty sure all of those were +P rated, I hope somebody will correct me if I'm wrong.

You didn't mention barrel length, which would affect specific ammo recommendations but all the rounds I'd recommend would be +P.

[malvinf]

bbl length is 4 inches.

[sm]

My 3" 64 is currently stoked with 125 GR STHP +P

That said ,IME the 158 gr LSWCHP +P is my preferred choice, has given the best performance, not only in this gun but most .38 spl regardless of bbl length. Even in 2" J frames,
has the best record of POA/POI.

In non +P guns the standard 158 gr LSWCHP is still my choice.

Yes the model 64 is +P rated.

(Why STHP? I bought a bunch many years ago to load up eight 38's I had purchased. At the time this was chosen for inside a business, home, apt setting. I bought guns for employees to take home, carry and keep on person /in desk at work...some 20+ years ago)

[Jim March]

I agree that the 158grain +P lead hollowpoints are the "old faithful" and WILL get the job done. The Winchester variant will be the easiest to find, and works great. The Remingtons are supposedly just a hair hotter, the Federals are a bit weaker. This round has been around long enough that Eliot Ness almost certainly used it at some point or another.

That said, you need to see how your gun likes them.

Other rounds to try:

That's a strong 38Spl, so you might consider the Cor-Bon 110 or 125 +Ps. Those are HOT by 38 standards. Accuracy is spotty for some people.

Winchester 130grain +P Supreme: has a truly massive hollowpoint cavity and is noted for decent expansion out of even short 2" barrels. Oughta *rock* out of a 4". I really like this round and it'd be a prime candidate if your gun likes it.

Anything based on the Gold Dot 125grain. Speer loads these as +Ps, as do Proload and Georgia Arms. Proload is the most expensive, but has a rep for excellent quality control, shot-to-shot consistency and hence accuracy. But Georgia Arms aren't shabby and tend to load hotter than others...and their prices are pretty good too.

Any of those rounds will do the trick. I'd test to see what your gun likes, both in terms of impact-near-the-sight-point and grouping.

[malvinf]

thanks for the info guys :)