When I started carrying my snub revolver, I spent some time trying to find out the best ammo for it. I performed some of my own research and trials, additional observations, and this was probably my last entry on the topic for some time.
Downrange.tv has an article discussing the Speer Gold Dot. I like Gold Dots. My “social” ammo is Gold Dot 9mm 124 grain +P which has a proven track record. It’s solid stuff.
What caught my eye in the DRTV article was this paragraph:
The issue load for NYPD officers carrying a .38 Special revolver is the Speer 135 grain +P Gold Dot hollow point. This load was developed by Speer at the request of the NYPD to mimic the excellent performance the NYPD has experienced with their 9mm duty load, the 124 grain +P Gold Dot HP.
I didn’t know that the .38 load was 1. made the request of NYPD, 2. that it was developed to mimic the performance of the 9mm 124 grain +P load.
Interesting.
Now note! There are actually 2 Speer .38 Special +P loads: one has a 125 grain bullet, the other a 135 grain bullet. What we want here is the 135 grain version, which is made for “short barrels” (GDHP-SB).
When I was doing my own trials, I really wanted to go with the Gold Dots. However, data was showing that it didn’t have quite the peformance of a couple other loads, specifically the Remington R38S12 (.38 Special 158 grain +P LSWCHP, the fabled “FBI load”) and the Buffalo Bore 20C/20 (.38 Special standard pressure 158 grain soft lead semi-wadcutter). But you know… I just hate carrying lead bullets because… it’s lead! So I’ve always used either the R38S12 or the Buffalo Bore, but I always hated it because of the exposed lead. I wished the Gold Dot was a better performer.
But you know what’s changing my mind? All the tests and data I looked at was “contrived”. That is, it’s not real-world application. Ballistics gel is useful because it provides a close-enough medium that is consistent so we can have some sort of “apples to apples” comparison of load performance. And while it provides useful data, it doesn’t necessarily correlate to the real world. But if there’s such real-world data as 35,000 NYPD cops carrying that particular load and having real-world success with it well… that says something.
So yeah… maybe I’ll be switching my snub load to Gold Dot.
Stuff From Hsoi 
I don’t know if the NYPD is having “real-world success”. They seem to spray bullets and yet miss their targets with alarming regularity.
Well yes… NYPD doesn’t have a very good hit rate. But it seems when they do it, the Gold Dot is performing. Or so it seems.
I always start with the rounds that pass the FBI test and then eval myself. Great place to start:
http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm
For snubnose (.38 or .357) there appears to be one clear leader that you found. Speer .38 Special +P load with a 135 grain bullet. It is also nice that there appears to be great availability and reasonable cost!
Back when I did my original snub ammo research, data was inconclusive… enough things gave me pause to wonder. For example, the brassfester gel tests:
http://www.brassfetcher.com/Speer%20135%20grain%20GoldDot%20Short%20Barrel.html
9-10″ of penetration? I’m not sure about that. FBI wants 12″ to 18″ (IIRC). While I want both penetration and expansion, if I have to choose I’ll take penetration because a big hole on the surface means nothing, while a smaller hole that gets down where it needs to is somewhat acceptable.
So that’s why I was reserved about the Gold Dot and opted for the LSWCHP’s because they were getting the penetration and reasonable expansion.
John, this is what I load my J-frame with. My original intent was to carry .357 loads (I bought an M&P 340 so I could shoot both). I guffawed at all of the hysteria about J-frame recoil because of my shooting history, which included shooting full-house .44 mags. After leaving my first range session with bleeding hands I decided that a .38 +P load would be sufficient. The 135 gr load shoots to POA in my J-frame and has moderate recoil and minimal flash. I’ve gotten comfortable enough with the recoil that I’m considering trying Speer’s 135 grain .357 load. It’s not that much hotter than the +P load. If I try them out I’ll keep you updated.
Oo.. brave soul. 🙂 I got a 640 because I wanted a steel frame… every ounce to help mitigate recoil. But I still intended to only shoot .38+P’s through it because I see no reason for the 357’s. But if you want to try out Speer’s 357 load… well.. its your hands. 😉 I’ll be curious to hear any results.
I think the short barrel .38 special gold dot was made to mimic the old NYPD issue nyclad blue coated lead hollowpoint.
I probably should have worded that differently. Instead of saying mimic, to replace..
At least according to the article, it was made to mimic the 9mm load. But replace the nyclad? I could see that. I recall reading about the “old” nyclad and that it was a reasonable load, but that it’s no longer, no more. There is a nyclad out these days, but apparently it’s not the same one and isn’t the best performer. HOWEVER, I think it’s a standard pressure load and it may be a reasonable consideration for someone that can’t handle the +P.