What ammo do you use in your Colt Agent?

[SupernovaNole]

I have a Colt Agent .38 Special which looks like this:



I have read that I'm not supposed to use +P ammunition so I'm trying to find a good self defense load for it.

I read good things about the Federal .38 Special Premium Hydra-Shok JHP Personal Defense Low Recoil round:

http://www.ammobank.com/cgi-bin/cshop/store/detail.tam?xax=843735&item%2Ectx=%3APD38HS3H

I'm concerned that the 110gr might be too light. Does anyone have ballistics info on this round? Does it penetrate with enough stopping power?

Otherwise can you guys recommend the best Self Defense round that is NOT +P?

Thanks,

SupernovaNole

 

[sm]

I use standard pressure 158 gr, LSWC quite a bit. [note:not hollow point]
This is what is in a 1929 Colt Detective special, Model 36 and Model 64.

 

[Gary A]

sm - every time I come across one of your posts, I find you making too much sense.

 

[Gordon]

Remington +p LSWCHP for about 20 years.

 

[RandomMan]

Remington +P 158-grain Lead Hollow Point. Or Buffalo Bore's non +P version of the same LHP. I am however, considering switching to Cor-Bon's 110-Grain +P DPX Hollow Point, it looks very promising.

All of these are in an Agent, exactly like the one you posted.

-Rob

 

[Gordon]

I USED o use 110 grain Winchester "Treasury" +p+ loads when I was given them free. It wore out the first agent in about 1000 rounds, because I was lucky or those things astrong! The second one I was wise to +p+ but did shoot a few,. I sold the gun to a friend, and it was (and is) still good with a about 1000 +ps thru it.My 3rd agent gets non +ps for practice, maybe 150 a year (I am QUITE profricient with it) and has the Rem 158+ps loaded and in the back up sources- I KNOW where it's gonna hit after using these for 30 years!

 

[Gordon]

I USED to use 110 grain Winchester "Treasury" +p+ loads when I was given them free. It wore out the first agent (shrouded barrel) in about 1000 rounds, because I was lucky or those series Agents are strong! The second one I was wise to +p+ but did shoot a few,. I sold the gun to a friend, and it was (and is) still good with a about 1000 +ps thru it and as many non plusp and a hundred or so +p+..My 3rd agent gets non +ps for practice, maybe 150 a year (I am QUITE profricient with it) and has the Rem 158+ps loaded and in the back up sources- I KNOW where it's gonna hit after using these for 30 years!

 

[Moonclip]

The Colt so pictured that I used to once own can use +P ammo. IIRC Colt does reccomend a checkup after 1000 rounds of such ammo thru such an alloy frame gun. I used to use Renington 158gr LSWCHP +P out of mine.

 

[mnw42]

I use the Buffalo Bore 158 gr SWC-HP or Hornady 130 gr XTP standard pressure ammo in my Cobra and I don't fret over the performance difference.