Help, Very Specific Ammo Needed

[mesinge2]

Not sure where to post this, but:

I have been looking like crazy for Magtech 38G 125gr. 38 Special Short LRN (ammo http://www.a1ammo.com/products/magtech-ammunition/38g/).

I have been looking every where for it at Cabela's, Midway, every local shop. It has been at least 6 months since I have seen any and then I only bought 3 boxes (big mistake).

I really want this ammo. My mother is a retired NYPD officer and her hand was shot, specifically her ring finger. A great doctor reattached the finger. I often go shooting with her and my girlfriend, but regular 38 specials hurt her hand now. These light recoil loads are great for her as even wadcutters are too much now. With out these rounds she is stuck shooting her 22 and she is getting bored with it.

I would greatly appreciate any help. Midway is my usual source but it has been on backorder forever (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=511908).

 

[acdodd]

Try here. Not sure if it's listed.

http://www.ammoengine.com/find/ammo/.38_Special?sort=1&group=2

http://www.ammoengine.com/find/ammo/.38_Special_Short

 

[Robert]

Is reloading an option? If so you can load light enough to not hurt her hand.

 

[btg3]

What gun is she shooting? Perhaps a heavier gun would help. Have you let her try .38spl ammo in your .357?

 

[mesinge2]

reloading an option

Not really, She is still a little jumpy since the incident and she doesn't trust reloads. She had too many cop friends that screwed up the reload and blew their guns up.

Right now is not the time to try and convince her that they are safe if properly done.

 

[Tommygunn]

.38 Long Colt and .38 Short Colt will work in a .38 Special and the short will be very gentle by comparison. They are often used by cowboy shooting sports guys. IIRC Cabela's sells them.

 

[mesinge2]

Tommygunn, She has actually used them in her model 36 Smith and I tried them in my 37; They feel like 22s.

They are the same length as 38 S&W but they are not the same width (as least the case isn't).

Perhaps a heavier gun would help. Have you let her try .38spl ammo in your .357?

I didn't think of that... I could let her use my Model 19-4 the all steel K frame absorbs most of the recoil.

Good idea.

 

[Bhamrichard]

I this something like what your looking for?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=154703376

 

[mesinge2]

I this something like what your looking for?

Close, but these are actually shorter than regular 38 specials, they are like 38 short colts.

 

[Bhamrichard]

Only thing I see for .38 shorts is http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=155115878

And I dunno if I'd be interested in purchasing myself

 

[FROGO207]

I believe that they are the same as 38 Smith and Wesson. Graf & Son used to have them in stock. grafs.com is the web address. I have a box of empty brass shells by RP that were that grain here. The ones in above post are rimfire and not usable in a centerfire.

 

[mesinge2]

FROGO207, you're right!

But they're out of stock also:

http://www.grafs.com/ammo/3859

http://www.grafs.com/product/265181

But now I have a new site to keep track of the ammo. I'll check periodically to see if it is in stock.

Maybe, it will be in stock before it is on Midway, or Cabela's.

Thanks

 

[hammerklavier]

If she's getting bored with .22, why not start shooting with her other hand? That would be a reasonable challenge.

 

[mesinge2]

why not start shooting with her other hand?

She does, but she is a natural righty so she only shoots about 20 rounds lefty with the 38. Then she starts shooting her SIG mosquito again.

Would a cowboy load (such as Magtech cowboy loads) be lighter than a wadcutter?

-

 

[FROGO207]

I will dig a little deeper and if I find a source I will PM you. Possibly some of the older gunshops may have them around still. Had a buddy that used them in his lemon squeezer cause of the low recoil. Watch GunBroker also as there might be a listing there under either one of the names.

I Googled 38 S&W ammo and got about 10 sites that showed that they stocked it and you could run down the list to see if anyone has any left.

 

[David E]

I believe that they are the same as 38 Smith and Wesson.

The .38 Smith & Wesson round, developed in 1877 with a base measurement of .3865 will not chamber in guns chambered for .38 Smith & Wesson SPECIAL. (commonly called .38 Special for short) which was developed in 1899 and has a base measurement of .379

IE; the .38 S&W is too fat.

 

[Kimber45acp]

.38 special hurts my hand too. All signs point to her having the wrong gun for her. Get her a glock 9mm. Get her a .22 mag revolver. There are dozens of guns in different calibers that have less recoil and easier ammo availability.

 

[natman]

Have you tried 38 Special Wadcutters?

Everybody loads them and recoil is very mild.

 

[Sunray]

The .38 Special Short is a Brazilian designed cartridge with a 19mm case length. Made for .38 S&W revolvers and as Brazilian police training cartridge. Not made for .38 Special revolvers.
Won't make any difference if mom can't shoot a .38 Special WC. Try and find mom an old Police Postive in .32-20. Doubt it'll make any difference though. Her hand is permanently damaged. A .32 ACP pistol might be ok.
"...Get her a Glock 9mm..." That won't help either.
"...Would a cowboy load..." Nope. A 148 grain WC is a target load. 2.5 to 2.8 grains of Bullseye. Doesn't get much lighter than that. Virtually no recoil.