Hollow point, yes or no for J frame revolver?

[Doc8404]

I find that I will be carrying my 642 airweight more often than in the past. She is always been loaded with hollow points. With such a short barrel, I begin to wonder if they will be effective or not?!

Real world effectiveness of 642

 

[kev74]

Effective? I don't want to get hit by one.

I carry a Kel-Tec 380 most days, mostly due to its size. I think I have Gold Dots in it. Its better than just a pocket knife or nothing at all.

 

[GOPerfect]

Absolutely. Hollow points should be carried for personal protection. 100% of the time.

 

[@thewheels]

I might try a jacketed or semi jacketed soft point instead.

 

[MoMan]

Absolutely. Hollow points should be carried for personal protection. 100% of the time.

^^^This right here^^^!!

 

[Doc8404]

I guess I could watch one of the many videos here. I have the same round in my 9 mm and 45.

remington golden saber 38 special - Google Search

 

[Robin]

Absolutely. Hollow points should be carried for personal protection. 100% of the time.

Willjr, where are you?!?!?!?!?!?!?
I keep the ball ammo rolling.
Robin

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Get some extreme defenders. Doesn't rely on velocity and barrier blind. Good all year round.

 

[Steal2B]

Get some extreme defenders. Doesn't rely on velocity and barrier blind. Good all year round.

+1. Also in short barrel 38 special (as well as 380) you may want to consider the heavier ( but a bit slower) Xtreme Penetrators.

 

[ECU Pirates]

Full wad cutters for the win.

 

[turbobike]

Latest - Greatest...Federal HST 38 +P...LuckyGunner gives them a decent rating...(but I'm a 158gr wadcutter guy myself)

 

[HighlandLofts]

I have carried my 642 for about 7 or 8 uears. I have hornady critival defense in it because it is readily available hete locally all of the time. The other brands and types of defensive ammo is hit & miss.
Any of the major brands will work and it it ever co.es to having to use your 642 or any otjer defensive handgun shoot until the threat is totally incapable of retaileating.
I have seen videos where the nad guy went down so they stopped shooting only to have the bad huy regain hit wits and shoot the victim of his crime.

 

[ECU Pirates]

I like to pratice with what I carry. I have a 360j (scandium). It’s downright unpleasant to pratice with. Thst is unless I use full wad cutters. Many hp’s Won’t expand at low velocities anyway.

 

[ECU Pirates]

Latest - Greatest...Federal HST 38 +P...LuckyGunner gives them a decent rating...(but I'm a 158gr wadcutter guy myself)

158 or 148? I have not seen any 158 that I recall.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Okay. Just looked at some trusted reviewers on YouTube that actually calibrate their gel. (Some YouTubers don't calibrate their gel and it warms up and becomes softer allowing expansion).

Based on just 3 videos I've seen from YouTubers that calibrate their gel, most don't expand at all and just act like FMJ anyway.

You are better off with proven wad cutters.

 

[turbobike]

158 or 148? I have not seen any 158 that I recall.

I was using Stateline 158gr Keith style SWC bullet over a full load of Power Pistol...1000fps 2” barrel.

38 Cal 158 gr SWC H&G 51 Cast Bullets - Stateline Bullets

 

[S&W Fan]

Lehigh ammo for the win. This is what I would use in a short barreled revolver.
38 Special +P 140gr Xtreme Penetrator Ammunition

 

[timboy]

I keep Hornady critical defense in my Kahr .380,there was a guy at the gun club one day test firing .380 ball ammo into old books,I happened to have my .380 on me and we fired the hornady from the same distance at a book he had been shooting(no good science involved)
Not only did the hornady penetrate further but it also somewhat expanded,i don't recall it being full or pretty expansion but it was good enough for me to keep carrying it.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I keep Hornady critical defense in my Kahr .380,there was a guy at the gun club one day test firing .380 ball ammo into old books,I happened to have my .380 on me and we fired the hornady from the same distance at a book he had been shooting(no good science involved)
Not only did the hornady penetrate further but it also somewhat expanded,i don't recall it being full or pretty expansion but it was good enough for me to keep carrying it.

Harder objects cause bullets to react differently than soft flesh. If you look at tests, you'll see that that particular round is a very low penetrator.

 

[livingston]

The Problem With Short Barrel .38 Specials
The Problem With Short Barrel .38 Specials
interesting read ...
They talk a bit about buffalo bore ammo. I sent them an e-mail last week and they said they do ship to NY State .
Buffalo Bore Ammunition | Strictly Big Bore - Strictly Business

 

[FLA45fan]

Doc, hollow points absolutely for your j-frame. Over the years my 442 and 340PD have been loaded with some form of Speer Gold Dot loadings. Currently they have 135 +P GDHP short barrel in them. The new Federal HST looks very promising in the 130 gr +P loading - I may be changing over.

It looks like a good load, with excellent expansion, penetration, and energy levels.

 

[spat]

I find that I will be carrying my 642 airweight more often than in the past. She is always been loaded with hollow points. With such a short barrel, I begin to wonder if they will be effective or not?!

Real world effectiveness of 642

What's the worst that's going to happen because of the reduced velocity, they're not going to expand ?

It's not like the are going to over expand and perform worse than an FMJ round.

 

[Doc8404]

Kind of what I was thinking.
Other than the nose filling with material.

 

[Marine Cpl]

The Problem With Short Barrel .38 Specials
The Problem With Short Barrel .38 Specials
interesting read ...
They talk a bit about buffalo bore ammo. I sent them an e-mail last week and they said they do ship to NY State .
Buffalo Bore Ammunition | Strictly Big Bore - Strictly Business

Very good article with actual tests that proves that " Jacketed" hollow points don't work for the .38 Special.

People should read the article and watch those tests.

 

[NYGuns]

Well I learned something today. I was under the impression to use hollow for anything you carry....TBH I still will

 

[Marine Cpl]

Well I learned something today. I was under the impression to use hollow for anything you carry....TBH I still will

Why for a .38 when it's proven that non jacketed, hollowed out soft lead wad cutters are the only projectile for the caliber that reliably expands and penetrates sufficiently when jacketed hollow points do not?