Self Defense loads for wife's concealed carry

[dru]

My wife has already applied for her CCW and will be carrying a 5 round Taurus 650 (.357 magnum, no hammer, CTC laser grips). I have been wondering what would be the best type of loads to put into it for her. Oddly, I don't find that the recoil from a .357 mag is all that punishing in this revolver and although it will ultimately come down to how she feels about the power of the round, I have a strong feeling that she will be comfortable with it.

I had a conversation with a gentleman the other day who recommended alternating shot shells with bullets and I was wondering what anyone's thoughts or opinions on this might be.

A tentative arrangement is to go shot, bullet, shot, bullet, bullet.

I like the idea of the shot shells because I feel that it might give my wife an advantage if she were jumped and in a situation where she was not able to get a picture-perfect target picture, but I worry about what stray pellets might do. I feel that the lasergrip mitigates this situation because she doesn't need to line up her sights but just needs to locate the "pretty red dot" (as she puts it).

On the other hand, if the first shot resulting in the peppering of the perp proves ineffective, a full power .357 would certainly be effective if her aim was true, and if she needed a quick follow up shot, the 3 round (which would be a shot shell) could allow her to achieve a quick follow up shot after the .357.

I might be way over-thinking this though. LOL.

Having never fired a shot shell before, does anyone know what the spread pattern would look like from a 2" snubbie at say, 20 feet? If its too wide, then it seems like it would not be effective for carry due to innocent 3rd parties who may be in close proximity to all this drama.

Again, probably over thinking this.....

 

[1911user]

pistol shot shells (used for snakeshot) tend to spread about an inch for each foot of distance.

I think the idea of using snakeshot or alternating any kind of rounds for people defense is a horrible idea. Pick 1 good type of ammo and use it for carry. I would choose a good 38sp+P load (even for a 357) especially in a snubbie. Let her determine the carry ammo. If she's carrying it, it doesn't really matter how much recoil you can handle. Fast, good hits are what is important, not the amount of muzzle flash.

Here is some light reading on the defense ammo subject: http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm
Here is some informal snake shot testing results: http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot30.htm

 

[Stephen Cue]

For revolver, I made my wife some .38special light loads that she handles better that any other.

The recipe is:

125gr Hornady XTP JHP's
3.0 grains of IMR 700x

a little warning, the minimum starting load advised for this is 3.6 grains. I went .6 grains lighter and not only do they fire well, but they have less felt recoil.

Again, I personally do not advise going less than that. One does not want to cause a squib load.

 

[bulbboy]

.38+P - Think about the second shot. Very managable, snubs are hard to shoot in the first place. I wouldn't make it any harder.

 

[repete34]

I have +P Remongton Golden Sabre in my S&W 442, and feel comfortable with them.

 

[Glocktogo]

Speer .38+P 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel for the entire cylinder.

The only time I'd drop a shotshell in a carry revolver would be the 1st chamber if I was out hiking and more likely to run across a poisonous snake than a bad guy. pistol shotshells have pellets too small to even be considered effective on small game, so I certainly wouldn't want to shoot an attacker with one.

 

[ldp4570]

1. Has she shot this gun???

2. Has she shot this gun with .357's in it???

3. If yes to the two above, its what she's going to feel comfortable shooting and carrying.

4. Can she do 5X5X5(5 rounds, 5 seconds, 5 feet) and keep them on target???

5. IF she can't handle the full loads, start out with .38spl wadcutters, and work up from there. Even a .38spl WC will make for a bad day for Mr. BadGuy.

6. Remember its about shot placement, then penetration, and if your lucky, expansion. The first two are more important than the latter!!!!

 

[F16mickey]

Speer .38+P 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel for the entire cylinder.

^^^ This its one of the best defensive carry rounds for 38 spl!

 

[okie98]

Go with the 38+P and forget the shot shells.

 

[dru]

alrighty. thanks for the input.

I had my doubts about the shot shells which is why i asked. I'm glad to have it cleared up before the fact and not after.