Question about ammo for my 649

[Jake Benson]

It has been recommended from several different posters that Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Ammunition 38 Special +P 135 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point is an excellent self defense load for my 649. I bought a box from G&R Tactical and it arrived today. The box does not look anything like the box on Speer's website or other Website's selling these cartridges. The box does say .38 special +P 135 GR GDHP on it. But the number is 53921. Other boxes on these other websites have Short Barrel written on the front of the box and the number is 23921. This box just reads Gold Dot Duty Ammunition. I have not been able to reach either Speer or C&R Tactical by phone yet. Is anyone familiar with this ammo and have I been sent the wrong ammo or what?

 

[OldCavSoldier]

You have a great round for your 649. Don't sweat the details. You will probably shoot all 50 rounds of the box in no time practicing with your piece. When done, go out and get the same stuff or any good (ie, Win, Speer, CorBon, Hornady, Rem) 125gr - 158gr STANDARD VELOCITY ammo to carry in your piece. Never forget "a hit with a .32 is better than a miss with a .45" There ain't many bad guys who will continue the fight if hit center of mass with a .38 If they do, just shoot them again...and again...until they are down or decide you are not worth their further messing with

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

No need to call Speer or G&R.

Here is what's going on: Speer/CCI markets that ammo in boxes with 20 rounds each for a nice premium. These packages usually say "personal protection" and are targeted at civilian consumers.

Speer/CCI also packs the exact same ammunition in boxes of fifty and marked down in price for law enforcement agencies around the country and on contract.

Wholesalers like ammo to go and G&R tactical got access to these boxes which are marked "duty ammunition" or "law enforcement" and make them available to the civilian consumer, allowing you to buy 50 rounds for $30. It's a good deal.

Speer/CCI only makes one 135 grain +p gold dot in .38 special and that is the "short barrel" load. I bought a couple boxes myself. I have also purchased .357 gold dots as 50 count duty ammunition boxes and they are quite a handful. No way I would have been able to pump 500 rounds of it through my Gp100 without these high-count but low-cost steals on premium ammo. Now if only my .38 + p 50 count boxes would arrive ;p

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

You can find more info on LE duty ammunition here:

http://le.atk.com/general/speerproducts/handgun/golddotshortbarrel.aspx

"53921" Duty ammo

Caliber: .38 special + P

Grains: 135

Bullet Style: Gold dot hollow point - short barrel (GDHP-SB)

Velocity in Feet Per Second @ muzzle: 860

Energy in Foot pounds @ Muzzle: 222

Compare to part "23921" Personal protection ammo from the speer-ammo general website

Caliber: .38 special + P

Grains: 135

Bullet Style: Gold dot hollow point - short barrel (GDHP-SB)

Velocity in Feet Per Second @ muzzle: 860

Energy in Foot pounds @ Muzzle: 222

You can rest easy knowing you're loading that 649 with the same ammo marketed to law enforcement professionals. The price is probably lower because of wholesale purchases to departments and suppliers vs. individual sales.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It's exactly what Tony said above. The #53921 is the 50 round box and the #23921 is the 20 round box. (that's what the 5 and 2 designate in the part numbers)