+P rounds = early problems for my new 638?

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TyRip

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I just bought a new Smith and Wesson 638, and love it so far.

My questions is if shooting +P for target practice/training will lead to anything other than really sore hands? I've heard a few people say they will tear your gun up if shot all the time, but I wanted some other opinions.

I have been looking around at ammo and picked up some Gold Dot 125GR hollowpoints for my carry ammo.

I bought some 130GR standard pressure Winchester FMJ at WalMart, but they were $30/100. Where I bought my gun they are selling some Blazer 135GR FMJ +P, which I would think would be more similar to the Speers I will be carrying for $12/50. Should I buy the Blazers or pay a little extra for the Winchesters and save my gun and hand/wrist?

I would like to shoot something with a similar feel to what I will be carrying, but want to practice a lot, and to do that I would really prefer the cheapest ammo possible. Help me out with this, or if you like you could send me a couple thousand of your favorites to try :D
 
I would suggest you check out www.mastercast.net for excellent quality reloads in just about every bullet weight and type you can imagine.

I also have a 638 its a great gun and you will not be dissapointed. I dont shoot a whole lot of +p though it...usually 10-15 rounds at the end of a range session.
 
A gun may be +P rated but that doesn't mean you won't increase wear using +P. I'm not a big fan of +P in J-frame guns. +Ps are hard on the gun and you. You really don't gain a lot in a 2" using +P.

If you really want to carry +Ps follow wnycollectors advice.
 
Gold dots are a great choice for carry. Just read of a 135 gr version that sounds like they may na=have merit. Shoot the regular stuff for fun & practice.
 
Your S&W is good for at least 5000 +P rounds but there is really no reason to shoot anything other than target loads w/ an occasional +P ... see post #21 & 22 of the link below ... :)

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=344790

In the event of using your gun in a defensive situation you will not notice the difference between target rounds and +P ... unlike a semi-auto w/a revolver you do not need to shoot a whole lot of your carry rounds to know they will work ... Mastercast and Georgia Arms are the way to go for bulk .38 target ammo ... :)

Chester

New_Smyrna_Beach.gif
 
+++ 1 on www.mastercast.net. They are reloaders of top quality, this from someone who has been stung by other reloading services. I have gone through 4,000 of Mastercast's reloads and am well into another thousand, with 500 of a different caliber on order. They are reliable, inexpensive and prompt.

You can save money by sending them your brass (check their website on the difference). I discovered I could save a bundle by mailing my brass via USPS Priority Mail! A thousand cases go for eight bucks and change. Any other way I know of would cost more than twenty.

Oh yeah! If you insist on shooting + p at the range, your 638 will certainly outlast your interest in shooting it.

Cordially, Jack
 
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