I think I'm hooked on .38 Special
- Thread starter Arkansas Paul
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bergmen
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Just the name has a special ring to it "Combat Masterpiece". It is absolutely one of my favorite handguns and probably my favorite DA revolver.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2006413710053667879vstJAD
Well, the "link to it" on Webshots is nowhere to be found so this is a link to the photo I have. It is not my Model 15 but it looks identical to mine.
Dan
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Arkansas Paul
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Absolutely. Most of the smoke is from the lube on the boolit, no doubt.
I don't mind shooting plated stuff, it's that I just started casting about a year ago and I'm loading bullets so cheap it's just crazy. That's why I shoot a lot of lead. 1,000 .45 Colt rounds are running me about $75 these days.
Yeah, now I've got to figure out what else she needs.
Frizzman
Member
The first .38 Spl that I ever fired was a S&W M10 4" HB issued to me by the first PD I joined in 1978. The ammo for carry was Remington 158gr LSWHP + P. For the range, we were issued 148gr wadcutter target reloads. Those were the days before expensive duty ammo was used for the range...I observed two incidents that culminated in a subject being shot with the duty ammo and both resulted in instant incapacitation with one shot. I never thought I was inadequately armed with the M10...AND a Charter Arms Undercover .38 on my ankle. I still frequently carry a .38 for defense.
I have been reloading .38 Spl for about 30 years. For the range, I mostly use cast lead 158gr SWC with 3.5 grains of Titegroup. I used the use WW 231 but find the Titegroup to burn cleaner at mild pressures. My RL550 setup has been through a LOT of .38 over the years.
I have been reloading .38 Spl for about 30 years. For the range, I mostly use cast lead 158gr SWC with 3.5 grains of Titegroup. I used the use WW 231 but find the Titegroup to burn cleaner at mild pressures. My RL550 setup has been through a LOT of .38 over the years.
jolly roger
Member
Our experience too Frizzman back in the day. Winchester 38 158 LHP +P. 3 shootings all dirt naps..we went to 45s around 86 or so. All shootings since then have been effective stoppers but the people survived. Go figure...
I think the LHP 38 is a pretty effective round myself. Still carry those in the house gun since the wife does not like "the guns with little levers and likes to see the bullets"
I think the LHP 38 is a pretty effective round myself. Still carry those in the house gun since the wife does not like "the guns with little levers and likes to see the bullets"
floydster
Member
AP, if you really want to have fun with your 38 SPL. get the Lee 158 gr. SWC mold two cavity--load with 4gr. Trail Boss, what a great load, the best I have found yet for the 38.
Accurate, soft shooting, very enjoyable.
I size the bullets to .358, lube twice with Alox--never any leading.
Accurate, soft shooting, very enjoyable.
I size the bullets to .358, lube twice with Alox--never any leading.
MCgunner
Member
The .38 is pretty special. I own 3 .38s, a 3" Rossi 5 shooter circa 1981, a 4" Smith and Wesson M10 circa early 1960s, and a 2" Taurus M85SSUL. The Taurus is a favorite carry and gets shot the most. The Smith was my grandpa's and is in great shape. The Rossi I got for my step dad to get my grandpa's gun away from him, so he'd have some in home protection. It's a GREAT shooter and well made all steel gun that is similar to the M36 Smith. All three are accurate, well made, reliable firearms and accurate. The .38 has never been broken as a self defense gun, especially with modern ammunition. I know there's lots of magnum toters, carry one myself sometimes. I know there are big bore fanatics, but the .38 still works fine for me in the self defense roll and it's fun to shoot. I reload, so ammo cost and availability for me are a non-issue. I do like the fact that my revolvers don't lose my brass for me.
I have the tumble lube version of that 158 Lee mold, but I kinda prefer the 148 WC mold and 2.7 grains of Bullseye. Powder lasts forever, doesn't use all that much lead. Great stuff.
I have the tumble lube version of that 158 Lee mold, but I kinda prefer the 148 WC mold and 2.7 grains of Bullseye. Powder lasts forever, doesn't use all that much lead. Great stuff.
same story here. I have several handguns but the ones I shoot more than any other by far are my m64s and m67 .38 Specials. I reload by the hundreds each month. My "go to" load is 4.0 gr of w231/hp-38 and the 158gr SWC wide nose from Rim Rock bullets. My favorite handgun caliber by far for many reasons.
sixgunner455
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I shoot and carry .38 Special more than any other caliber... even though lately, my range and woods gun has been mostly a .357.
It was the first caliber I learned to load for, and is probably my favorite to load for, even now.
It was the first caliber I learned to load for, and is probably my favorite to load for, even now.
just for fun
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At one time RCBS stated that the 38/357 dies were they're best seller for pistol dies. Most old timers (me included) started out reloading 38's. Could never say that I'm a big numbers gun collecter, we have club members that buy and sell more guns in a year than I own! Of the few that I do own more than half are 38/357's. Shoot I'm so old school that my carry and nightstand guns are revolvers.Do I even own auto's? Sure do and would not be willing to part with any of them. Unlike many others I don't buy guns to sell or trade but to keep.To date I have yet to shoot a 38 that wasn't a keeper! Must be because it's where I started and two, almost ANY combo will result in sub 2 inch groups at 15 yds from a rest! There was a time when I could say 25 yds and be more than willing to back it up with cash!! Alas, those days are behind me. Must be something to what I'm rambling on about as it's over 100 yrs old and still being made.
bwsmith2850
Member
It's my most shot center fire cartridge by a wide margin even in my .357s. Soft shooting and accurate.
MCgunner
Member
Well, I cannot say that. I shoot more .22LRs BY FAR than any centerfire. Of my centerfires, I really don't know which gets fired most, 9x19 or .38, but it's between the two. I shoot .38s in my .357s, too. I carry either a 9 or a .38 in the strong side pocket, but my NAA always gun in .22LR is in my weak side pocket with either gun.
sixgunner455
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Okay, you got me. I shoot .22lr more than .38. But only by a little bit, and I rarely carry one, unless I'm hunting rabbits.
Stress_Test
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Our experience too Frizzman back in the day. Winchester 38 158 LHP +P. 3 shootings all dirt naps..we went to 45s around 86 or so. All shootings since then have been effective stoppers but the people survived. Go figure...
I think the LHP 38 is a pretty effective round myself. Still carry those in the house gun since the wife does not like "the guns with little levers and likes to see the bullets"
I suspect modern medical techniques have more to due with survival rates than anything, kind of like survival rates for soldiers wounded in battle improving throughout the 20th century.
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Arkansas Paul
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I am actually one that shoots more centerfire than rimfire. I have a couple of .22 rifles, but I don't own a rimfire handgun. That needs to change. I need to get me a Buckmark or a MKIII.
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