Weird .38spl. ammo. Never seen it before.

[Kymasabe]

So, I'm at my local gunshop today and I'm peeking over the counter to see the new/used stuff that just came in that still needs to be checked, tagged, and all that. I see two big cardboard boxes of older ammo and inquire. Left with a little 12 gauge, some .30cal carbine stuff, and a box of assorted .38 special ammo. The .38 has some hollow point stuff I've never seen before. Initially it looks like hollow point with a big cavity, but when I look inside the hollow part, I see three small BB's/lead balls and the cavity is filled/sealed with something like...I don't know, epoxy maybe? There is some stuff like that stamped Winchester and some with Federal on the case. I'm guessing was some kind of old self defense ammo or...who knows. I'm hoping you can tell me.

 

[Rail Driver]

Any way you can take pictures? Sounds interesting to say the least.

 

[gofastman]

did it look like this:

http://www.magsafeonline.com

 

[Kymasabe]

Yes, it did look like that. Some of the smaller examples on the bottom right side of that pic look like what I have. Hollow point opening, three balls inside, covered in a clear epoxy or glue or something.
The interesting thing though is the brass varies, there's some Winchester stamped brass, some Federal stamped brass, and something else, I'll have to recheck the bases for the other brand.

 

[Rail Driver]

I was reading on the website... While the idea looks kinda nice, it doesn't look like it would be as effective as a standard JHP. Much less energy transfer due to the much lower projectile weight.

They look freaking cool though... I'd like to get some for my SKS and my .45

 

[gofastman]

just a gimmick, imo

 

[LawofThirds]

Well known for making messy, shallow wounds. Gimmick is the nice word for them.

 

[Lucky Derby]

This stuff was a pretty big deal back in the mid 90's. Gimmick is the right word.
The guy that founded the company died in a motorcycle crash around 2000 or 2001 while vacationing in Austraila or New Zealand if memory serves.

 

[JFrame]

The guy that founded the company died in a motorcycle crash around 2000 or 2001 while vacationing in Austraila or New Zealand if memory serves.

Specifically, the gentleman's name was Joe Zambone. He was passing a truck on a blind turn and collided with an oncoming vehicle. He was actually conscious and speaking to the EMT's, but evidently had an open artery in his leg and bled out while being med-evaced to a hospital.

I had the good fortune to swap a few emails with Mr. Zambone when he was a contributor on some gun forum or other. I found him to be a totally gracious, humble, and knowledgeable person.

.

 

[Erik M]

Sounds like Glaser rounds. I prefer hard cast wadcutters in my snub.

 

[JFrame]

Sounds like Glaser rounds. I prefer hard cast wadcutters in my snub.

Unless Glasers have been redesigned lately, I believe their pellets are packed loose in a frangible shell. It's the Magsafes that have the pellets packed in a bed of epoxy.

.

 

[gofastman]

Sounds like Glaser rounds. I prefer hard cast wadcutters in my snub.

both fall under the category of frangible ammo.
If I were forced to use frangible rounds I'd pick the Glaser Silvers, but I'll take a modern hollow point or hardcast wadcutter anyday.

 

[Kymasabe]

Thank you !

Thank you all. The price was right, paid $5 for a pile of ammo. I think I'll stick to my Gold Dots for my old S&W model 36 and I'll save these for some fun at the range.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Jframe-Thanks for the details. I suppose I knew them at one time, but they had slipped my mind.