CCI/Speer Lawman 125gr 38 Spl +P SJHP Test

[Joshua M. Smith]

Handgun: Rossi M68 38 Spl 1-7/8” barrel
Ammunition: CCI/Speer Lawman 125gr 38 Spl +P SJHP

Having had a fever for a couple weeks and finally securing the doctor’s permission to get out of the house for a bit, I did what most any red-blooded American shooter would do: I went to the gunstore and secured some ammunition that I had been curious about.


This is what grabbed my attention. I wasn’t aware that CCI/Speer markets hollowpoints under the Lawman name, and it turns out they don’t… anymore.

Of course I had to test it…


My standard setup…


… and the four layers of denim on the front of the first jug.


Here’s the shot. Look at that… from a snub 38.

To say that this ammunition is energetic is a bit of an understatement. Though not a .454 by any means, it felt like a heavy 357 Magnum from a 4” K frame S&W. If I want to shoot many more of these, I will buy a gun that can handle it. I don’t see how carrying them for defense would hurt however.


Here is the denim where it landed. The bullet went through a seam as well. The cricket’s cameo was not my idea.


The damage is what I’ve come to expect from 9mm loads, not 38 Spl. The first jug was shredded.


As was the second jug…


And the third jug was hit hard.


The bullet finally stopped in the fifth jug, after trying to exit it as well.


Denim was found in every jug except the last. It seems the bullet was not too impressed by it as it did its job regardless.


Final results…


And a closeup of an unfired bullet. This is the same hexagonal hollowpoint that I’ve found in old-style, pre-Golden Saber Remington hollowpoint 9mm.

Overall, I’m very impressed. However, I truly don’t know if I’ll carry this. There is newer fodder out there and I’m not sure if this ammunition is truly “just” +P or if it’s something above and beyond. At any rate, I’m guessing it’s really pushing the “+P” designation. It would be interesting to see what the true pressures are compared to today’s +P ammunition.

Josh <><

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

Pentagonal - 5 points/5 sides. That's why they call the big building outside DC "The Pentagon."

ECS

 

[.cheese.]

That's why they call the big building outside DC "The Pentagon."

Wait.... you mean to tell me that there wasn't originally some guy named Mr. Penta, and now he's no longer there... so they named the building after him.... Where's Penta? He's gone.

ok... stupid I know.

CCI Lawman ammo (now Speer Lawman as you noted), is now largely practice ammo.

In fact, ATK even notes this:

Training with ammunition that gives you the feel and performance of premium ammo gives you the edge you need when duty calls. However, using premium hollow point ammunition for target practice and training is not cost-effective. That’s where SPEER® Lawman® comes in. It delivers all the performance of premium ammo for a fraction of the cost. Lawman uses high-value, brass cases, CCI® primers and SPEER TMJ® or conventional full metal jacketed bullets. The end result: tight groups and consistent pressure and velocity, every time you squeeze the trigger.
If you’re looking for high-quality ammunition in traditional reloadable brass, Lawman is your ammunition.

They've got a clean-burning line which is interesting, a fragmenting line (RHT) which is jacket-free due to the production method they use. And a rubber based bullet for agencies that aren't allowed to use HP's (EFMJ)

ETA: Ok, I'm confused. LE.ATK.COM is showing that the EFMJ is now under the Federal brand? Wasn't it Speer Lawman not long ago?

 

[Joshua M. Smith]

Pentagonal - 5 points/5 sides. That's why they call the big building outside DC "The Pentagon."

ECS

Ooops! Guess that's what I get for writing while still sick. Duh.

I don't understand how this is constructive however.

Josh <><

 

[Joshua M. Smith]

Cheese,

This is old stuff, '70s or '80s. It was indeed the premier stuff back then. Sometime between then and now the brands flipped and Lawman is indeed relegated to practice ammo in FMJ configuration, but the stuff I shot most definitely is not practice ammo. In fact, I've talked to police who remember using it.

I just get a kick out of how powerful all this older stuff is. All the new stuff seems sissified by comparison.

Expanding Full Metal Jacket has always been made by Federal. I have an older box (circa 2005?) of 124gr+P sitting in my drawer and is definitely Federal LE ammo.

Josh <><

 

[roscoe]

Is it me, or did it not seem to expand much, if at all?

 

[Snowdog]

I didn't appear to expand from the pictures, but that might have plenty to do with it being fired from a snub into 4 layers of denim and a sheet of milk-jug plastic. If fired into 2 layers of denim/ballistic gelatin (perhaps a more realistic representation of what a slug might encounter unless living in Alaska ?), I think the result might have been different.

Nonetheless, it was a very interesting post, Joshua... and those pictures were excellent. Thanks and keep it up! I always enjoy the ballistic testing threads the most.