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Best self defense ammo for a 38 special
July 14, 2026, 11:16 AM
71 TRUCKBest self defense ammo for a 38 special
My wife and I will visit locations that do not allow carry inside there property. You have to go through a scanner in the parking garage to get in.
I normally carry a small 380 and unload it, including the chamber before placing in a lock box that has a cable attaching it to our car.
My thought was a 5 of 6 shot revolver and a speed loader might be better.
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State
NRA Life Member July 14, 2026, 02:14 PM
Bullwinkle J MooseOptimum ammo will depend on the barrel length and sturdiness of the weapon you choose. Have you considered a micro 9? Ones with higher capacity, smaller size and perhaps equal or less recoil than a 38 are available.
I might not always be right, but I'm always me.
July 14, 2026, 02:44 PM
dking271My personal favorite 38 special ammo is the Speer Gold Dot 135gr +p short barrel (23921GD). It’s not the easiest stuff to find but it functions very well out of short barreled revolvers.
_________________________
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile - hoping it will eat him last” - Winston Churchil
July 14, 2026, 02:52 PM
71 TRUCKquote:
Originally posted by Bullwinkle J Moose:
Optimum ammo will depend on the barrel length and sturdiness of the weapon you choose. Have you considered a micro 9? Ones with higher capacity, smaller size and perhaps equal or less recoil than a 38 are available.
Whenever we go to a place like I mentioned above I have a 380 I will bring.
What I am trying to not have to do is, remove a magazine, rack a slide to remove a round then store it in my lock box, then reverse the process to re load the firearm, all while sitting in a car in a somewhat busy parking lot.
My thought was that a revolver with a speed loader would avoid any loose rounds in the lock box and not having to re rack the slide in a car to re load the gun. To me this process may be a little safer.
I know pointing the firearm down to reload, god forbid something should malfunction I don't want a round shooting through the floor of my car and skipping around a parking lot.
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State
NRA Life Member July 14, 2026, 03:02 PM
71 TRUCKquote:
Originally posted by dking271:
My personal favorite 38 special ammo is the Speer Gold Dot 135gr +p short barrel (23921GD). It’s not the easiest stuff to find but it functions very well out of short barreled revolvers.
Thanks.
I am looking at a revolver with a barrel length around a little shorter than 2 inches and holds 5 rounds.
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State
NRA Life Member July 14, 2026, 09:36 PM
Bullwinkle J Moosequote:
Originally posted by 71 TRUCK:
quote:
Originally posted by Bullwinkle J Moose:
Optimum ammo will depend on the barrel length and sturdiness of the weapon you choose. Have you considered a micro 9? Ones with higher capacity, smaller size and perhaps equal or less recoil than a 38 are available.
Whenever we go to a place like I mentioned above I have a 380 I will bring.
What I am trying to not have to do is, remove a magazine, rack a slide to remove a round then store it in my lock box, then reverse the process to re load the firearm, all while sitting in a car in a somewhat busy parking lot.
My thought was that a revolver with a speed loader would avoid any loose rounds in the lock box and not having to re rack the slide in a car to re load the gun. To me this process may be a little safer.
I know pointing the firearm down to reload, god forbid something should malfunction I don't want a round shooting through the floor of my car and skipping around a parking lot.
I load 125gr +p jhps in my J frame. I never agonized over "the best," but many recommend them and I certainly would not want to be on the recieving end of this combination.
I might not always be right, but I'm always me.
July 15, 2026, 08:07 AM
dking271quote:
Thanks.
I am looking at a revolver with a barrel length around a little shorter than 2 inches and holds 5 rounds.
I have a S&W 642 Pro which is cut for moon clips but can be used with or without. I load and unload my initial 5 rounds with a moon clips, and carry a reload in a safariland speedloader. It makes the extraction of the first five shells a lot more positive and the speedloader is easier to load than a moon clip. Is there a law/reason you are loading and unloading your firearm before you lock it up? I just unholster and lock mine up to avoid messing with a loaded firearm in public.
_________________________
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile - hoping it will eat him last” - Winston Churchil
July 15, 2026, 10:13 AM
71 TRUCKquote:
Originally posted by dking271:
quote:
Thanks.
I am looking at a revolver with a barrel length around a little shorter than 2 inches and holds 5 rounds.
I have a S&W 642 Pro which is cut for moon clips but can be used with or without. I load and unload my initial 5 rounds with a moon clips, and carry a reload in a safariland speedloader. It makes the extraction of the first five shells a lot more positive and the speedloader is easier to load than a moon clip. Is there a law/reason you are loading and unloading your firearm before you lock it up? I just unholster and lock mine up to avoid messing with a loaded firearm in public.
Thanks for the information.
Is there a law/reason you are loading and unloading your firearm before you lock it up?
Yes, no law that I am aware of however.
As a past active firefighter and fire service instructor in New Jersey we used to teach about the hazards of fighting vehicle fires. When I moved to Florida and started carrying, in a class some ware my wife and I took, the instructor talked about loaded fire arms left in a car and if the car caught on fire the fire arm could go off and what ever direction the barrel was pointing the round would go. So for me it is a safety issue.
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State
NRA Life Member