[bowwave]

Hello,
The gents at my local gun store urged me to consider the subject ammo in my S&W 442. I tried to research the round on this and other sites but didn't get much information good or bad. My apologies to any poster on this site who made a valuable contribution that I missed.
My observation - I went through a box of 25 and, despite the kick and flash, could put two in the dead zone at 7 yards fairly quickly.
My question - will the expected self-defense results be "reasonable" for that model?
Thanks/Bowwave

 

[twoguns]

Mr. Bowwave,

I have no first hand experience with the GS in .38 special. My agency was lucky enough to hire a ballistician who retired from H.P. White, who became our first genuine "ammo expert", which was his primary job.

We were using Glock 19s and began having problems with some not wanting to feed either the 125 standard or +P Gold Dot 9mm, which were our carry rounds. Jim selected the 9mm +P GS as another carry round for those 19s that would not feed the GD reliably.

If he chose a round, based on his background and the fact I knew from conversations with him that every round he selected he had personally done testing on - I trusted it without reservation. Based on that, assuming the projectiles are the same type construction (I know of now reason they would not be) I would think it would prove reliable for you to use.

There are some members who have done some fairly extensive testing on various rounds, so hopefully someone who has done some first hand testing will offer their opinions for you too.

Another round for you to consider is the Speer 135gr short barrel load, as many of our members speak very highly of it in their J-frames.

Take care,

twoguns

 

[Guest]

I had that model snub and foolishly traded it in for the much more expensive PD360. I found that I could shoot the Speer short barrel .38spl. much more accurately than a full load .357 in my new 12 oz. wonder. So I now have a very expensive .38spl. snub using the Speer 135+ short barrel. ammo which I can fire much more effectively than using .357 ammo. The moral of this story is that I should have kept the 442. Live and learn.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Your story is not unique to be sure! (Don't ask me how I learned this!!! I'll only say that I have a book of all my firearm transactions, ie: when I got them & when I sold them. Looking through it now and again, I often refer to it as "The Book of Tears.")

As far as the 38 Special Golden Saber is concerned, I have no experience with it in that caliber. In the mid-range 357 load, it works fine. Ditto, 9mm and .45 ACP. If memory serves, it usually gets around 11.5 to 13" of penetration depending upon bbl length and probably lot numbers as the gelatin is reported to be calibrated. I have not had a problem with lack of expansion with any Golden Sabers I've tried in 380, 9mm, 357, or 45 ACP and would expect that the same is true with the 38 Special +P version.

Best.

 

[oldgranpa]

bowwave,
In previous wetpack tests, the Rem GS 125+p gets better expansion than Speer GD 135+p but the Speer gets better penetration. While the GoldenSabre is a fine round I personally would go for the better penetration. Right now it seems most folks favor the Speer 135gr+p.
Just my opinion.
og

 

[pff]

I have my S&W 342 loaded with the +P Golden Sabres. No lead +P ammo in that one.

I went with the GS for several reasons: The wetpack test mentioned up-topic showed expansion. I've done my own testing on the 9mm+P GS and it worked. And most importantly, I got a killer deal on a few hundred of them.

The new bonded bullets ought to work even better.

The 442 I had went last fall to cover some bill. I understand the pain.


Regards,

Pat

 

[demented]

Ammo in 38 special that will outperform the old plus P 158gr. semiwadcutter hollow point load has yet to be made. Until that magic load appears, I'll stick with what I know works and stay away form all these expensive fad loads coming down the road.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Unless you are dead set on the 125-gr. Golden Saber, I honestly would suggest looking (hard) at Remington 158-gr. LSWCHP +P for use from the snub. In the article linked below, I did some informal "testing" and comparisons of Corbon's DPX and Speer's relatively new "Short Barrel" 135-gr. Gold Dot with the "old techology" LSWCHP +P.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/38%20Snub%20Ammo%20Test.htm

In several other calibers I use and have used Golden Sabers quite a bit but for right now, I am still sticking with the LSWCHP +P in the snub 38.

If I can, I'll get a box of the Remington 125-gr. Golden Saber +P in .38 Special and give 'em a look.

Best.