.38 or .38+p for Girlfriend?

AZ Husker · February 14th, 2008, 01:37 PM

My girlfriend has been doing fairly well with her new S&W 642 CT with light .38 loads. Problem...she has extensive left hand damage from a machine accident, basically only has her thumb and index finger, making a proper Weaver pull impossible. She can use her left hand for support, but that's about it. Before I invest in expensive +p ammo, do you guys think it would be too hot for her? Should I just stick to quality .38 special hollow points for defense? Thanks!
Tracy

kazzaerexys · February 14th, 2008, 01:52 PM

Well, I would say to get one box of something in about the power range you're thinking of and try that out. And it's worth more than just a cylinder full, because it may be a matter of working on her technique to the point that the hotter rounds are managable, and it's worth the price of one box of ammo to see if she can handle some better defensive loads. If the hot ammo is too much trouble, then she is definitely better off with lighter loads she can control than hotter one's she can't, of course.

Also, you could have her try something more like an isoceles grip, which has both arms pushing forward rather than the push/pull tension of the Weaver. The lack of fingers pulling on the support hand wouldn't matter as much there. If you are curious about this, check out Ayoob's StressFire pistol book for a thoroughly good explanation of the grip and stance for this type of hold.

Good luck!

pgrass101 · February 14th, 2008, 02:04 PM

You can get a box of WWB 125gr +P pretty cheap and let her try that.

AZ Husker · February 14th, 2008, 02:06 PM

Thanks guys. I've never shot .38 +p's, just how much more recoil is there? She's awkward with the Isoceles stance, but we should probably work on it more.

pgrass101 · February 14th, 2008, 02:19 PM

I really can't tell a difference between +P's and regular 38's. Might be a little more muzzel flip with a snubbie, but not much.

My wife shoots 38+P's from her Taurus 605 and she can't tell a difference between them and regular 38's either.

You can see if she can handle one armed Point Shooting follow the link to Fairbarins original training manual.

BikerRN · February 14th, 2008, 03:47 PM

You're going to hate this answer, but I would buy a box of the +P's and a box of the non +P's.

Then have her shoot from the low ready, 5 rounds in 5 seconds at 5 yards. The load she can keep in 5 inches is what she should carry. It may take a little practice, but for myself, I don't like anything lower than 38 Special +P for self defensive purposes.

With that said, my Mom can't shoot the +P's anymore. So we load non +P's in her gun. You will have to find what works for her, not what works for me, you or Joe Blow down the road.

Good Luck.

Biker

sniper58 · February 14th, 2008, 04:00 PM

My wife shoots +P's in her 4" .357 mag. with no problems. I switched a few regular .38's in there (without telling her) and she just kept shooting and didn't notice the change. I can't tell the difference and I was sure she would. I was wrong! Have her try both and see what works best for her.

Kazza has a good point - try changing styles. That should help!

fsilber · February 14th, 2008, 06:08 PM

The difference with +P is 20%. That's unlikely to be a deal-breaker.

If you're worried about recoil, I'd try Corbon DPX. It's light bullet reduces the recoil, despite the high pressure and velocity. It's all-copper bullet seems to be pretty reliable at both penetrating and expanding.

aus71383 · February 14th, 2008, 08:35 PM

My wife can barely tell the difference. But her gun is a 2" 327 - out of my 442 .38 +Ps feel a little hotter...I'd get both for her to try.

Austin

nn · February 14th, 2008, 09:43 PM

In the case you decribe, I'd stick with regular .38SPL.

February 14th, 2008, 01:37 PM	#1
AZ Husker Distinguished Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,975	.38 or .38+p for Girlfriend? My girlfriend has been doing fairly well with her new S&W 642 CT with light .38 loads. Problem...she has extensive left hand damage from a machine accident, basically only has her thumb and index finger, making a proper Weaver pull impossible. She can use her left hand for support, but that's about it. Before I invest in expensive +p ammo, do you guys think it would be too hot for her? Should I just stick to quality .38 special hollow points for defense? Thanks! Tracy __________________ Treat me good, I'll treat you better. Treat me bad, I'll treat you worse.

February 14th, 2008, 01:52 PM	#2
kazzaerexys Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 866	Well, I would say to get one box of something in about the power range you're thinking of and try that out. And it's worth more than just a cylinder full, because it may be a matter of working on her technique to the point that the hotter rounds are managable, and it's worth the price of one box of ammo to see if she can handle some better defensive loads. If the hot ammo is too much trouble, then she is definitely better off with lighter loads she can control than hotter one's she can't, of course. Also, you could have her try something more like an isoceles grip, which has both arms pushing forward rather than the push/pull tension of the Weaver. The lack of fingers pulling on the support hand wouldn't matter as much there. If you are curious about this, check out Ayoob's StressFire pistol book for a thoroughly good explanation of the grip and stance for this type of hold. Good luck! __________________ “What is a moderate interpretation of [the Constitution]? Halfway between what it says and [...] what you want it to say?” —Justice Antonin Scalia

February 14th, 2008, 02:04 PM	#3
pgrass101 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 5,505	You can get a box of WWB 125gr +P pretty cheap and let her try that. __________________ Noli nothis permittere te terere I refuse to compromise my morality for another mans greed.

February 14th, 2008, 02:06 PM	#4
AZ Husker Distinguished Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,975	Thanks guys. I've never shot .38 +p's, just how much more recoil is there? She's awkward with the Isoceles stance, but we should probably work on it more. __________________ Treat me good, I'll treat you better. Treat me bad, I'll treat you worse.

February 14th, 2008, 02:19 PM	#5
pgrass101 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 5,505	I really can't tell a difference between +P's and regular 38's. Might be a little more muzzel flip with a snubbie, but not much. My wife shoots 38+P's from her Taurus 605 and she can't tell a difference between them and regular 38's either. You can see if she can handle one armed Point Shooting follow the link to Fairbarins original training manual. __________________ Noli nothis permittere te terere I refuse to compromise my morality for another mans greed. Last edited by pgrass101; February 14th, 2008 at 02:51 PM. Reason: spelling

February 14th, 2008, 03:47 PM	#6
BikerRN Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: State of Discombobulation Posts: 1,684	You're going to hate this answer, but I would buy a box of the +P's and a box of the non +P's. Then have her shoot from the low ready, 5 rounds in 5 seconds at 5 yards. The load she can keep in 5 inches is what she should carry. It may take a little practice, but for myself, I don't like anything lower than 38 Special +P for self defensive purposes. With that said, my Mom can't shoot the +P's anymore. So we load non +P's in her gun. You will have to find what works for her, not what works for me, you or Joe Blow down the road. Good Luck. Biker __________________ "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."

February 14th, 2008, 04:00 PM	#7
sniper58 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 888	My wife shoots +P's in her 4" .357 mag. with no problems. I switched a few regular .38's in there (without telling her) and she just kept shooting and didn't notice the change. I can't tell the difference and I was sure she would. I was wrong! Have her try both and see what works best for her. Kazza has a good point - try changing styles. That should help! __________________ Tim BE PREPARED - Noah didn't build the Ark when it was raining! The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Thomas Jefferson ________ NRA Life Member

February 14th, 2008, 06:08 PM	#8
fsilber Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 16	The difference with +P is 20%. That's unlikely to be a deal-breaker. If you're worried about recoil, I'd try Corbon DPX. It's light bullet reduces the recoil, despite the high pressure and velocity. It's all-copper bullet seems to be pretty reliable at both penetrating and expanding.

February 14th, 2008, 08:35 PM	#9
aus71383 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,684	My wife can barely tell the difference. But her gun is a 2" 327 - out of my 442 .38 +Ps feel a little hotter...I'd get both for her to try. Austin

February 14th, 2008, 09:43 PM	#10
nn VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NC Posts: 3,919	.38 or .38+p for Girlfriend? In the case you decribe, I'd stick with regular .38SPL.

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