ammo recommendation for airweight

[Crazybastid83]

I have a Colt Agent airweight, I shoot it occasionally using lead semi wadcutters. Would ammo would you use for carry? I know not to use a strong round for everyday shooting.

[Dalan]

I load my wife's snubnose with Winchester .38 +P Silvertips. Mild recoil and they are more reasonably priced than some other self defense rounds.

[1 old 0311]

I keep wadcutters in my carry J frame, It CUTS a nice clean hole.

[DocZeus]

As always, my worth.....



DocZeus
AKA
David

[FlaRon]

I do not have any Airweights at the present.

The newer models are rated for +p's and if controlable I like the 158 gr. LSWCHP +p's.

In my older model snubs I like the 158 gr. LSWC.

Image.jpgImage.jpg 1974 Det. Spl. and 1968 Model 36.
click image to enlarge....

As kcq1 says it cuts a nice clean hole and followup shots are easier then +p's.

In my 649-2 I carry the 158gr. LSWCHP +p's when I carry the gun.

When my wife carries it we use the 125 gr. Nyclads for ease of control and followup shots.

Trial and error but that's the fun part.

Regards,

FlaRon

[Dalan]

Doc,

Are those the so called FBI load?

[Crazybastid83]

Thanks you have all given me food for thought. I had originally bought the Agent for my Dad when he retired from the PD. He went right into US Customs (drug sniffing dogs) and never had the opportunity to carry the gun, or fire it. I recently put 50 rounds of wad cutters through it. I ended up trading him my CS9 DAO that I got when i retired.

I have a DS that i purchased a year after i got otj. When i first got on I was 20, so I was only able to buy a model 36 from the Police Equipment Section. Until I was 21 i was not allowed to buy a gun outside the PD. I liked having an extra round, so i went with the DS. I now regret selling my model 36. Back in 1990 I carried the DS with nyclad semi wad cutters, but I do not believe they were +p's. This was department authorized ammo. I believe in later years they went to nyclad semi +p's. I do know from experience that the nyclad rounds I had in 1990 got the job done.

Since it is alloy and no longer made, i want to baby it. I find myself drawn to 1911's and revolvers these days. I will have to get a battery for my camera (I never seem to get around to getting things done) so that i can take pics of my CS45 stainless TDA to put on the classifieds. Hopefully I can find a model 36 square butt in good shape to replace the one I let go. If I sell the CS45, the only S&W I will have will be my duty pistol, the 5946 until I can get a model 36. After that i will have to track down a S&W 357 snub.

[FlaRon]

CB83

An article from the Snubnose Files you may find of interest.

The Classic Colt Detective Special .38 Revolver

Regards,

FlaRon

[DocZeus]

Doc,

Are those the so called FBI load?

Yessir.....Closest "commonly-available" load I've found that matches the old "FBI Load". It's a little hard to find locally sometimes, I guess because it's not the latest "magic bullet" SD load, but for carrying factory ammo, I like to stick with what's had a proven track-record.

You can buy some Buffalo Bore stuff that's a little hotter, but I think these will "get the job done" if called upon. The powder doesn't flash really bad in a J-frame snubbie, and it's accurate in all of mine.

DocZeus
AKA
David

[Forester]

I have a 642 Airweight and have run everything from pussycat reloads, to factory +P's to high end reloads. No problems. I regularly practice with 158 grain swc and 4.5 grains of Unique. Generally carry gold dot 135's or Hornaday Critical defense loads.