38 Special? - The Firearms Forum

steve4102 · 01-02-2012, 08:12 AM

My wife wants her carry gun to be a small 38 Special revolver (pink).

At present I do not load for the 38, so I need to order dies and components. She is a little recoil sensitive, so I would like to start her off with some loads that are on the mild side.
I plan on loading lead bullets mostly, so, What bullet design do you recommend to start and more important, what bullet weight for mild recoil loads?

Thanks

carver · 01-02-2012, 08:24 AM

I don't load light bullets for any of my guns, but I am told that the light bullets will produce less recoil. Recently I did buy some of the "Low Recoil" SD ammo for the wife. After shooting both the low recoil, and standard +P ammo, she said she could not tell the difference. So I tried them both, and I couldn't tell the difference. Maybe you should try this little test yourself. Have the wife shoot both loads, and you try them too!

steve4102 · 01-02-2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Have the wife shoot both loads, and you try them too!

Ya, but, but, it's pink.

carver · 01-02-2012, 09:15 AM

I understand! Just let her shoot the gun. You don't really have to.

Alpo · 01-02-2012, 09:17 AM

For starting and for practice, I suggest plain old "target wadcutters". I also think they make a fine "in the house defensive" ammo.

Get or make her some real stuff for actual carry, as if she needs to shoot somebody, recoil will be the last thing on her mind.

Me, personally, I load 4.0 of Unique under s 158 SWC for practice and starting beginners off, and 5.0 under the same bullet for carry. My ammo boxes are marked "wussy" and "social".

76Highboy · 01-02-2012, 10:05 AM

My wife wanted a personal carry with minimal recoil. Instead of buying her a 38 Special, I bought her a lady Smith, moedl 60 .357 magnum. The .357's tend to have a little more weight than the 38's (but not so much weight that it is hard to carry) so that will help with recoil. Now she practices with the 38's, but packs the .357's. By shooting the 38's in her gun, there is even less recoil. So, if your wife still wants to pack the 38's for less recoil, the heavier gun will help with that. Hope that makes sense. Have a good day everyone.

Oneida Steve · 01-02-2012, 10:07 AM

A classic .38 target load will serve you well. Swaged lead 148 grain wadcutter bullet (Speer or Hornady work for me) and 2.7 grains of Bullseye.

A cast lead 148 grain WC can be substituted, and other powder (WW 231, Red Dot, TrailBoss, etc.) will work just as well as the Bullseye.

For indoor shooting I like Berry's or Rainier's plated wadcutter bullets. They shoot a lot cleaner than plain lead.

Good luck. - the other Steve

oldgunfan · 01-02-2012, 10:21 AM

2nd what oneida steve said magnus makes a good swaged 148grn LHBWC 2.6grns of titegroup is a good one, 125grn golddot with 5.7grns of W231 is a good man stopper. about the pink I feel your pain, I have to get my girl one too. gggeeerrrr

76Highboy · 01-02-2012, 11:01 AM

My daughter likes the pink gun thing, but fortunately for me, she is raised and out of the house (she can buy her own now) and my wife isn't into pink at all. She actually likes the rosewood grips. However, I must say. If all I had in my hand was a .357 mag with pink grips and a criminal was in my home faced with it, I then wonder,,,, would he really care about the color then. One can wonder. I am new to this forum, and you guys are alright in my book.

Alpo · 01-02-2012, 11:06 AM

Some years back I was in my gun-pusher's, and this guy was in selling a used gun. "Used", as in "pre-owned", but if it had been shot, it hadn't been shot much.

He had bought it for his wife, and she did not want no "yucky" gun. And he was just too damn macho to shoot a "LadySmith". So, I got a, for all practical purposes, brand new S&W 642 38 special for around 250. I gave it to my daughter, but if she had not wanted it, I'd have been quite happy to shoot the hell out of it.

oldpapps · 01-02-2012, 11:21 AM

My for what it's worth...

Load some inverted hollow base wad cutters, the hollow base forward.
Use loading data for the same weight bullet, 148 grs, only with a flat base and load relatively light. Make certain to seat them flush with the case mouth.
They aren't good for any range and splat out on two layers of sheet rock.

These will ease the transition to more useful loadings.

231 or HP38 or Bullseye or any quick burning powder can and will get the job done.

My X didn't and still doesn't like any guns. My daughter carries a 45. Be grateful you have an intelligent wife.

Careful enjoyment,

OSOK

steve4102 · 01-02-2012, 11:47 AM

Thanks guys. Looks like I may have a lot of range work ahead of me. Notice the right hand, left eye and of course the grip.

Dan Newberry · 01-02-2012, 12:11 PM

Wadcutters or light cheap ammo for practice, and some good 110's or 125's in hollow point for business (factory loads, so you can't be blamed for cooking up man killer ammo

)...

As to the pink gun...

I think I'd opt for a standard blued revolver. The pink color might cause a perp to think it's a toy, and instead of backing down he might try his luck, so to speak.

Dan

oldpapps · 01-02-2012, 12:18 PM

Can we assume that the lady is right handed with the left eye as her control eye?
A 'cup n saucer' hold is far from the worst out there. At least she won't be getting her thumb nipped when she fires an auto.

I am right handed and my left eye is my control eye. Boy did I get some razzing when I rocked my head over the stock to shoot riot guns when going through the FBI Firearms Instructor course.

Have her bring the muzzle up and try to cover the target with the front sight, then level everything out and slowly squeeze. She will do fine, just give her some time and encouragement.

Be safe,

OSOK

mikld · 01-02-2012, 03:47 PM

My "in house" load is 148 gr. double ended cast wadcutters over a med. to stiff load of W231. Easy shooting, not heavy recoil in my 2" .38. Plenty of full front meplat for tissue damage an not a lot of house to house penetration. I keep my.38 stuffed with these and handy in my bedroom (I also drop it in my back pocket for comfort...).

I used to load HBWC backwards and it was the "thing" in the '80s but I read a lengthy report and the hollow based, soft wadcutters were not accurate past 7 yards and the cavity would either collapse or get plugged with clothing, etc., 90% of the time and act as a solid.

mikld · 01-02-2012, 04:07 PM

oops...

Diamondback · 01-02-2012, 04:40 PM

My favorite home defence load is 3 to 4 grs of Bullseye or Unique under 2 .36 lead balls swaged to .357. The recoil is minimal, penetration is 1 to 1 1/2 milk jugs filled with water. The 2 balls hit between 1/2" and 2" at 7 yds giving you 2 chances to stop someone. They also work pretty good on squirrel and rabbit at close range.

medalguy · 01-02-2012, 07:02 PM

Just thinking about that pink gun and home defense. Suppose you actually DID have an intruder, and you DID shoot him with a pink gun. Would you really tell the cops it was a pink gun, or switch it out for something more.....well......manly?

JLA · 01-02-2012, 07:08 PM

Load her up some HBWCs over IMR trailboss Steve. Let her practice to her hearts content and for her defense ammo, factory loaded 130 gr +p goldensabers

JLA · 01-02-2012, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medalguy

Just thinking about that pink gun and home defense. Suppose you actually DID have an intruder, and you DID shoot him with a pink gun. Would you really tell the cops it was a pink gun, or switch it out for something more.....well......manly?

Nope.. Id stand over the baddie with a camera yelling "ha ha, you shot by a girl, with a pink gun. ha ha"..

JLA · 01-02-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve4102

Thanks guys. Looks like I may have a lot of range work ahead of me. Notice the right hand, left eye and of course the grip.

Thats a crosseyes cup and saucer hold.. Soooo starsky and hutch!

Caneman · 01-03-2012, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpo

My ammo boxes are marked "wussy" and "social".

oldpapps · 01-03-2012, 10:28 AM

When I was in the business new recruits would get hired and they would be sent to me to get them street ready, with weapons not hand to hand.

Sweet little girls would pump out round after round of Department issue ammunition, yet linebacker sized men would cringe with wadcutters out of 6 inch 'N' frames.

It is all a matter of starting with something that the new shooter isn't afraid of and working up. I had a S&W Model 18 and would feed it 22 shorts to get some started.

Water under the bridge.

OSOK

01-02-2012, 08:12 AM	#1
steve4102 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 2,760	38 Special? My wife wants her carry gun to be a small 38 Special revolver (pink). At present I do not load for the 38, so I need to order dies and components. She is a little recoil sensitive, so I would like to start her off with some loads that are on the mild side. I plan on loading lead bullets mostly, so, What bullet design do you recommend to start and more important, what bullet weight for mild recoil loads? Thanks -->

01-02-2012, 08:24 AM	#2
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,283	Re: 38 Special? I don't load light bullets for any of my guns, but I am told that the light bullets will produce less recoil. Recently I did buy some of the "Low Recoil" SD ammo for the wife. After shooting both the low recoil, and standard +P ammo, she said she could not tell the difference. So I tried them both, and I couldn't tell the difference. Maybe you should try this little test yourself. Have the wife shoot both loads, and you try them too! __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

01-02-2012, 09:15 AM	#4
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,283	Re: 38 Special? I understand! Just let her shoot the gun. You don't really have to. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

01-02-2012, 09:17 AM	#5
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: 38 Special? For starting and for practice, I suggest plain old "target wadcutters". I also think they make a fine "in the house defensive" ammo. Get or make her some real stuff for actual carry, as if she needs to shoot somebody, recoil will be the last thing on her mind. Me, personally, I load 4.0 of Unique under s 158 SWC for practice and starting beginners off, and 5.0 under the same bullet for carry. My ammo boxes are marked "wussy" and "social". __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

01-02-2012, 10:05 AM	#6
76Highboy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Meridian, Idaho Contributor Posts: 6,968	Re: 38 Special? My wife wanted a personal carry with minimal recoil. Instead of buying her a 38 Special, I bought her a lady Smith, moedl 60 .357 magnum. The .357's tend to have a little more weight than the 38's (but not so much weight that it is hard to carry) so that will help with recoil. Now she practices with the 38's, but packs the .357's. By shooting the 38's in her gun, there is even less recoil. So, if your wife still wants to pack the 38's for less recoil, the heavier gun will help with that. Hope that makes sense. Have a good day everyone.

01-02-2012, 10:07 AM	#7
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,028	Re: 38 Special? A classic .38 target load will serve you well. Swaged lead 148 grain wadcutter bullet (Speer or Hornady work for me) and 2.7 grains of Bullseye. A cast lead 148 grain WC can be substituted, and other powder (WW 231, Red Dot, TrailBoss, etc.) will work just as well as the Bullseye. For indoor shooting I like Berry's or Rainier's plated wadcutter bullets. They shoot a lot cleaner than plain lead. Good luck. - the other Steve

01-02-2012, 10:21 AM	#8
oldgunfan V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Contributor Posts: 137	Re: 38 Special? 2nd what oneida steve said magnus makes a good swaged 148grn LHBWC 2.6grns of titegroup is a good one, 125grn golddot with 5.7grns of W231 is a good man stopper. about the pink I feel your pain, I have to get my girl one too. gggeeerrrr

01-02-2012, 11:01 AM	#9
76Highboy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Meridian, Idaho Contributor Posts: 6,968	Re: 38 Special? My daughter likes the pink gun thing, but fortunately for me, she is raised and out of the house (she can buy her own now) and my wife isn't into pink at all. She actually likes the rosewood grips. However, I must say. If all I had in my hand was a .357 mag with pink grips and a criminal was in my home faced with it, I then wonder,,,, would he really care about the color then. One can wonder. I am new to this forum, and you guys are alright in my book.

01-02-2012, 11:06 AM	#10
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: 38 Special? Some years back I was in my gun-pusher's, and this guy was in selling a used gun. "Used", as in "pre-owned", but if it had been shot, it hadn't been shot much. He had bought it for his wife, and she did not want no "yucky" gun. And he was just too damn macho to shoot a "LadySmith". So, I got a, for all practical purposes, brand new S&W 642 38 special for around 250. I gave it to my daughter, but if she had not wanted it, I'd have been quite happy to shoot the hell out of it. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

01-02-2012, 11:21 AM	#11
oldpapps Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Middle America, Missouri Posts: 20	Re: 38 Special? My for what it's worth... Load some inverted hollow base wad cutters, the hollow base forward. Use loading data for the same weight bullet, 148 grs, only with a flat base and load relatively light. Make certain to seat them flush with the case mouth. They aren't good for any range and splat out on two layers of sheet rock. These will ease the transition to more useful loadings. 231 or HP38 or Bullseye or any quick burning powder can and will get the job done. My X didn't and still doesn't like any guns. My daughter carries a 45. Be grateful you have an intelligent wife. Careful enjoyment, OSOK

01-02-2012, 11:47 AM	#12
steve4102 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 2,760	Re: 38 Special? Thanks guys. Looks like I may have a lot of range work ahead of me. Notice the right hand, left eye and of course the grip.

01-02-2012, 12:11 PM	#13
Dan Newberry Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 33	Re: 38 Special? Wadcutters or light cheap ammo for practice, and some good 110's or 125's in hollow point for business (factory loads, so you can't be blamed for cooking up man killer ammo )... As to the pink gun... I think I'd opt for a standard blued revolver. The pink color might cause a perp to think it's a toy, and instead of backing down he might try his luck, so to speak. Dan

01-02-2012, 12:18 PM	#14
oldpapps Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Middle America, Missouri Posts: 20	Re: 38 Special? Can we assume that the lady is right handed with the left eye as her control eye? A 'cup n saucer' hold is far from the worst out there. At least she won't be getting her thumb nipped when she fires an auto. I am right handed and my left eye is my control eye. Boy did I get some razzing when I rocked my head over the stock to shoot riot guns when going through the FBI Firearms Instructor course. Have her bring the muzzle up and try to cover the target with the front sight, then level everything out and slowly squeeze. She will do fine, just give her some time and encouragement. Be safe, OSOK

01-02-2012, 03:47 PM	#15
mikld Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 573	Re: 38 Special? My "in house" load is 148 gr. double ended cast wadcutters over a med. to stiff load of W231. Easy shooting, not heavy recoil in my 2" .38. Plenty of full front meplat for tissue damage an not a lot of house to house penetration. I keep my.38 stuffed with these and handy in my bedroom (I also drop it in my back pocket for comfort...). I used to load HBWC backwards and it was the "thing" in the '80s but I read a lengthy report and the hollow based, soft wadcutters were not accurate past 7 yards and the cavity would either collapse or get plugged with clothing, etc., 90% of the time and act as a solid. __________________ My Anchor is holding fast.

01-02-2012, 04:07 PM	#16
mikld Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 573	Re: 38 Special? oops... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast. Last edited by mikld; 01-02-2012 at 04:10 PM..

01-02-2012, 04:40 PM	#17
Diamondback Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Silver City, Oklahoma Posts: 662	Re: 38 Special? My favorite home defence load is 3 to 4 grs of Bullseye or Unique under 2 .36 lead balls swaged to .357. The recoil is minimal, penetration is 1 to 1 1/2 milk jugs filled with water. The 2 balls hit between 1/2" and 2" at 7 yds giving you 2 chances to stop someone. They also work pretty good on squirrel and rabbit at close range.

01-02-2012, 07:02 PM	#18
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 585	Re: 38 Special? Just thinking about that pink gun and home defense. Suppose you actually DID have an intruder, and you DID shoot him with a pink gun. Would you really tell the cops it was a pink gun, or switch it out for something more.....well......manly?

01-02-2012, 07:08 PM	#19
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: 38 Special? Load her up some HBWCs over IMR trailboss Steve. Let her practice to her hearts content and for her defense ammo, factory loaded 130 gr +p goldensabers __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

01-03-2012, 10:28 AM	#23
oldpapps Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Middle America, Missouri Posts: 20	Re: 38 Special? When I was in the business new recruits would get hired and they would be sent to me to get them street ready, with weapons not hand to hand. Sweet little girls would pump out round after round of Department issue ammunition, yet linebacker sized men would cringe with wadcutters out of 6 inch 'N' frames. It is all a matter of starting with something that the new shooter isn't afraid of and working up. I had a S&W Model 18 and would feed it 22 shorts to get some started. Water under the bridge. OSOK