So I'm waiting for my paperwork to come in for my CCH, and I've designated my .38 Special J-Frame for my carry gun (initially, at least). And I'm thinking, What kind of ammo should I carry in it? SJSP? FMJ? What about wadcutters? I've heard those are actually considered decent defensive rounds. And what about reloads? For one, I've heard that one should only carry with store-bought ammo, so that you don't end up getting painted a sociopathic gun nut should you ever find yourself in court. But then, on the other hand, KS laws are written to shield CCH carriers from civil and criminal charges, should the shooting be determined justifiable, so part of me thinks that is n/a? Just wanted to get some thoughts. Thanks.
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I'll keep my freedom, guns and money. You can keep the "Change."
Last edited by Airweight38; 08-19-2008 at 08:53 AM.
I like Gold Dots just for the reason of ending up in court. First off, my local Sheriff and police department carry them so I am only using what local law enforcement carry. Good for one is good for all. Also, it says "Personal Protection" right on the Gold Dot box. Tell the judge and jury you were only following what the law does and bought ammo designed for personal protection. Lately I've been leaning towards Golden Saber though. I just like the way they shoot. No matter what I would stay away from hand loads. A prosicutor will make you out to be a nut wou couldn't buy ammo strong enough.
KW, everything you said should not matter. Unfortunatly, it does. Our system is so shallow if they wrote Personal protection on a box of "black talons" we would be good to carry those. I agree, don't ever do the hand loads.
I carry Gold dot in my 9MM and Golden saber in my .45. Gold dot is what the local law enforcment uses. I like the way the golden sabers shoot in my .45 though so that's what I use.
I carry lightweight plus P hollowpoints in my 2 inch five shooter.
For my reloads I carry the old treasury load in speedloaders- 158 grain lead hollowpoints. I also have some 125 grain JHPs in .357 in another speedloader if that has not gotten the job done.
The reason I carry lighter weight bullets in the gun is because I want the gun to weigh less. I am one of those fussy people who can tell how much an item weighs. Last week, i won a bet when the local gun dealer had a Titanium frame .44 in stock. I guessed 28 ounces and he checked it on his postal scale and I was dead on the money....
I am a reloader myself and love to shoot my light weight S&W. I shoot the hell out of my reloads at the range that's it. I was told, "If you be chance were to go to court, you reloading your own ammo could really hurt your case."
I don't really know how much it'll hurt it, but it will. Go with factory load hp or what ever you group well with. EVERY gun shoots different.
Even if you follow everything by the book and you pull your side arm to defend yourself, you will lose you gun, at least 10K in court, and your licence.
I carry either gold dots, or hornady tap in all my weapons. I used to carry federal hydrashocks, but they always seemed inaccurate to me. They're what my brother carry's in his duty weapon, but from what I've seen nothing beats a Gold Dot or Tap round. Although there is a new winchester SD round out there, though I believe it's only available in 9mm and .45acp currently, haven't heard anything on it really though.
So I'm waiting for my paperwork to come in for my CCH, and I've designated my .38 Special J-Frame for my carry gun (initially, at least). And I'm thinking, What kind of ammo should I carry in it? SJSP? FMJ? What about wadcutters? I've heard those are actually considered decent defensive rounds. And what about reloads? For one, I've heard that one should only carry with store-bought ammo, so that you don't end up getting painted a sociopathic gun nut should you ever find yourself in court. But then, on the other hand, KS laws are written to shield CCH carriers from civil and criminal charges, should the shooting be determined justifiable, so part of me thinks that is n/a? Just wanted to get some thoughts. Thanks.
Hi, "neighbor." I'm in Colorado, and luckily live in a county where it is ENCOURAGED to obtain a CCW. Anyway, I have two recommendations. Oh, and I agree, always carry factory when you carry.
First, I recommend the Corbon Power Ball .38 Special +P, 110 gr JHP.
Second, go with Corbon DPX 110 gr DPX.
Always carry factory or your asking for a lawsuit. Gold dots, silvertips, Glassier, Hydrashocks, taps, or the good old flying ashtrays all will work well, your choice.
In a few states you CAN'T carry reloads, its against the law. I'd go with cor-bon
Even when you can, it's not always smart!
Remember a few years ago the guy who had worked up some really mild loads for his wife then had to use them on a bad guy!
They did some forensics and said that if the guy had done what he said he did (shoot at close range) then the powder residue would have been in a higher concentration on the "bad guy". He was charged w/ murder b/c they said the perpetrator was farther away than the victim (shooter in this case) had said.. He explained the load and even had made notes of the load when he worked it up but LEO's and DA never took that into consideration!
Any of the big name 125 grain +P JHP's is what you want. Anything else is second best, but in truth, there's not a lot of difference. If a 158 grain lead round nose shoots best for you, go with that. Placement, placement, placement. Everything else is BS.
Although any of the 3rd generation high performance JHP's are fine (DPX, Gold Dot, Hornady, Golden Sabre, PwrBall, Hydra, etc.), the round with the best track record so far in .38 is the .38 +P 158 Grain soft Lead SWC Hollow point. There's no jacket to separate or inhibit expansion.
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God gives us free will; the statist tries to take it away
CCW'ing Ammo for a .38 Special 
