Snub Nose .38 Special...Critial Defense or Nyclad?

[Zaydok Allen]

If I knew I would be up against heavy clothing with a snub, I would go with the Buffalo Bore full wadcutters.

If I knew I would be up against heavy clothing, I wouldn't bring a snub. That's why I carry a 3" .357 or a full size 1911 in winter.

I know not everyone can afford multiple guns, but if you have a different gun to bring, I would. I only carry my 38 snub in summer. When I wear heavier clothing for winter, I carry something bigger, just like I don't wear winter boots all summer.

Different tools for different needs.

But..... if that's the only gun you can bring, then a heavier bullet is probably a good idea with heavy clothes in play.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

If I knew I would be up against heavy clothing with a snub, I would go with the Buffalo Bore full wadcutters.

If I knew I would be up against heavy clothing, I wouldn't bring a snub. That's why I carry a 3" .357 or a full size 1911 in winter.

I know not everyone can afford multiple guns, but if you have a different gun to bring, I would. I only carry my 38 snub in summer. When I wear heavier clothing for winter, I carry something bigger, just like I don't wear winter boots all summer.

Different tools for different needs.

But..... if that's the only gun you can bring, then a heavier bullet is probably a good idea with heavy clothes in play.

 

[S&Wfan]

Anything will work fine in it as long as you hit the target properly.

 

[BSA1]

You need only look to Hornaday itself, the Critical Duty round was developed because their other rounds failed FBI criteria and many departments would not allow their use.

I checked the Hornady website about the Critical Defense and did not find any reference about their other rounds failing the FBI criteria.

As the Hornady website is large it would be helpful if you could post the link discussing their FBI test results.

Your statement "many departments would not allow their use" sounds subjective.

Duty ammunition is often choosen by budget minded administrators so the absence of certain brands of ammunition is not necessarily due to the actual performance.

Many smaller departments in my area "copy cat" the ammo used by larger departments. A large city (population 300,000) near where I live adopted the 147 gr. JHP in the 9mm. Most of the departments in the smaller communities also adopted it simply becasue they figured that since the big city P.D. was using it it must be the best choice.

As already discussed what does the FBI test criteria have to do with civilian use?

On a personal note, I attempted to dispatch an injured Deer on the roadside, and a point blank shot behind it's ear failed to penetrate the skull with my 1911.

I once shot a opposum right between the eyes with a 38 Special and the bullet bounced off without penetrating. Was it a result of poor bullet placement or that all 38 Special ammo is underpowered?

I still stand by my statement that their products are light and under powered.

There are lots of good choices out there for you to match your needs for the tasks you need to perform..

 

[Lawdawg45]

You need only look to Hornaday itself, the Critical Duty round was developed because their other rounds failed FBI criteria and many departments would not allow their use.

I checked the Hornady website about the Critical Defense and did not find any reference about their other rounds failing the FBI criteria.

As the Hornady website is large it would be helpful if you could post the link discussing their FBI test results.

Your statement "many departments would not allow their use" sounds subjective.

Duty ammunition is often choosen by budget minded administrators so the absence of certain brands of ammunition is not necessarily due to the actual performance.

Many smaller departments in my area "copy cat" the ammo used by larger departments. A large city (population 300,000) near where I live adopted the 147 gr. JHP in the 9mm. Most of the departments in the smaller communities also adopted it simply becasue they figured that since the big city P.D. was using it it must be the best choice.

As already discussed what does the FBI test criteria have to do with civilian use?

On a personal note, I attempted to dispatch an injured Deer on the roadside, and a point blank shot behind it's ear failed to penetrate the skull with my 1911.

I once shot a opposum right between the eyes with a 38 Special and the bullet bounced off without penetrating. Was it a result of poor bullet placement or that all 38 Special ammo is underpowered?

I still stand by my statement that their products are light and under powered.

There are lots of good choices out there for you to match your needs for the tasks you need to perform..

I totally agree with that comment, and the OP had issues with penetration through clothing, hence my comment on the Hornaday line. While he might not need the penetration requirements of LE, his issues still dictated something other than a light, under powered, gimmick round. As far as your comment on departmental choice, you're also right that economics has a part in the decision, but not in totality otherwise they'd be using PMC or Wolf. Every large agency that I know of here in Indiana uses FBI criteria as a minimum selection, then the finances come into play. Hornaday had posted a video with DownrangeTV.com a year or so ago, and skated over the FBI criteria by saying that the Critical Duty ammo was developed for LE requiring "more penetration qualities" in their ammo. I also formerly used their Leverevolution .45 Colt in my Henry rifle when Deer hunting, but soon found the published 950 FPS chrono'd at around 860 to 880. It was quickly replaced with Buffalo Bore JHP's that moved at around 1500 FPS.

LD

 

[bikerdoc]

An old time cop once told me Aim for the triangle between the nose and the nipple line.
easier said than done under stress, but doable with mind set and practice.
Shot placement is every thing.