38 Special +P Carry Ammo: Where Did All Of It Go?

My .38 is a 637 airweight, and even though it's +p rated, I don't often carry it loaded with +p ammo. After shooting is a few times with +p, it's just too light to be comfy for that. I do often shoot my 640 with .38 +p when I can't find .357 in stock, but being stainless, it's a heavier gun. A SWC or SJWC is fine for me in my .38 most of the time. I keep extra speed loaders in the glove box, (including one with snake shot) just in case. Gold Dot makes a "short barrel" round for their .357 ammo. I found a couple boxes for my 640, (they were not cheep) and I'm betting they make a .38 version, but finding some these days would be like hitting the lottery.

wcwhitey said:

Why, it’s what I carried for many years and have a stockpile of sorts.

I attend the school of carry what the Police do in your defensive gun, not completely necessary but one less variable.

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I agree, I still carry what our official loads were, in 9mm it's the 147g HP, in.38Spl .it's the 158g+P HP. There may be better loads out there, but it's what I trained with and what I'm familiar with.

I hope to never have to explain this to a jury, but as mentioned, one less variable.

OP: thanks for sharing your test results!

I use PriviPartizan 158 gr SWCHP when I carry a .38. Specs say it is not +P (Europe measures differently) and moves at about 900 fps (probably out of a 4"). Seems "enough" for me. Joe

Back when Wal-Mart was getting out of the handgun ammo business I came across the last 6 boxes of the Federal HST plus P short barrel load at $8.00 per box. Noticed a few boxes of 130gr Golden Saber's for $7.50 per box on the shelf so I got all 3 boxes of those too. I shot a few of the HST's and was surprised at the mild recoil in my aluminum framed J frame

I have maybe 30 rounds back in the safe somewhere thats been there for 10 or so years. I don't like shooting +P. And I don't think there is that much difference in 38spl and + P to make it worth the price.
But I'll ask the same question about 38spl jhp. I may find a box of fmj now and then in my area but have not seen any hp at all.

As stated above, production of 9 mm seems to be a priority.

I'm lucky enough to have scored some 110+P before before this latest shortage started. These rounds shoot well and point-of-aim for me. They are close enough the the 110+P+ Treasure load used in the 1970-1980's for me. I've seen those slugs from three different victims to known that they are pretty effective.

In priority order:
buy ammunition,
buy something accurate in your firearms,
buy a reasonable defense load,
Practice.

I’m about at the point with .38 Special ammo that I don’t much concern myself with what’s available commercially anymore. Either I can get primers and I’m able to make what I need to shoot, or I will stuff six of the same loads I’ve had around for years into whichever gun I’m carrying that day. Since revolvers don’t chew ammunition up as an autoloader will I have been able to hold on to 6-12 rounds each of Speer +P 158gr flat nosed TMJ, Hornady 110gr +P Critical Defense as well as 158gr XTP standard pressure (for my 6” M&P since it’s might just throw them fast enough to open up a little), and the old half jacket 125gr +P Remington hollow point. In theory I could end up holding on to these rounds for decades to come. I hope so, anyway.

Usually some for sale on gunbroker

Mr.Revolverguy said:

Where Did All Of It Go?

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It didn't get made, and the 9mm did.

Big_Al said:

Usually some for sale on gunbroker

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I don't buy online. Just refuse to do it. It's always way over priced. Ammo is over priced at my local stores also but at least if I buy local it helps keep local store open. I could not care less about gbroker.
The best decision I made was to buy a backup carry gun in 9mm. In my area today 9mm is more available than 38. But, I still prefer the 38 much more. Just me.

I've found the opposite, it's usually cheaper for me to order online. I can usually find some with free shipping if you order a case and I pay sales tax either way.

tws3b2 said:

I don't buy online. Just refuse to do it. It's always way over priced. Ammo is over priced at my local stores also but at least if I buy local it helps keep local store open. I could not care less about gbroker.
The best decision I made was to buy a backup carry gun in 9mm. In my area today 9mm is more available than 38. But, I still prefer the 38 much more. Just me.

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I've seen quite a few +P .38's in stores in my area. Academy, Farm & Home Supply, Bass Pro, etc..

tws3b2 said:

I don't buy online. Just refuse to do it. It's always way over priced. Ammo is over priced at my local stores also but at least if I buy local it helps keep local store open. I could not care less about gbroker.
The best decision I made was to buy a backup carry gun in 9mm. In my area today 9mm is more available than 38. But, I still prefer the 38 much more. Just me.

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I respect your opinion - but IDK how you can say that "online is way overpriced". I was buying brass case 9mm online for $189 per thousand a couple years ago. I have recently bought .38 online for $5 a box cheaper than it is in any store around me. Got some .17WSM off gunbroker for less than you could EVER find it in a store. You just have to know how to search and look, and be patient. I agree about supporting your local gun stores, and I do when it comes to buying guns and some accessories, but many of the sellers on gunbroker ARE local gun stores somewhere. Spread the wealth...

Jonesy814 said:

Back when Wal-Mart was getting out of the handgun ammo business I came across the last 6 boxes of the Federal HST plus P short barrel load at $8.00 per box. Noticed a few boxes of 130gr Golden Saber's for $7.50 per box on the shelf so I got all 3 boxes of those too. I shot a few of the HST's and was surprised at the mild recoil in my aluminum framed J frame

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That's part of what is also nice with the HST, you get +P velocity without the +P recoil... my guess is the deeply seated bullets have more distance to accelerate... it's like having a longer barrel than normal. Makes sense to make use of all that wasted cash volume, which is only there since 38 Spl was originally designed for black powder.

Many places allow you to get a product notification when stock returns. I recommend doing so and then purchase quickly once stock arrives.

Since the NYPD reported successful stops on bad guys using Speer Gold Dot 135gr. 38+P, I bought 10 boxes back in the day. That’s what’s in all my Snubs.

SteadyD said:

Many places allow you to get a product notification when stock returns. I recommend doing so and then purchase quickly once stock arrives.

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Yes, very quickly.

SteadyD said:

Many places allow you to get a product notification when stock returns. I recommend doing so and then purchase quickly once stock arrives.

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I did this when .22 LR was "unobtainium". Set an alert on ammoseek that made a certain sound on my phone notifications. Had an account set up with a certain store chain, and was able to buy a lot of .22 at a good price for the time (5¢/rd). You gotta be quick but it does work...