Stopping Power

[Adam Helmer]

Trapper7,

Who advised you to carry "158 grain Winchester FMJ" in your S&W M637? I did not know you could buy 158 grain FMJ .38 Special ammo in 2011. You would be better equipped with 148 grain Wadcutters in your M637, IMHO!

One of my CCW students recently bought a S&W M637 2-inch 5-shot revolver. I took several boxes of factory .38 Special rounds to the bench and we checked where the fixed sights hit at 25 yards. The 158 grain LSWCHP "FBI Load" printed about 2 inches high. The 150 grain lead RN load was on point of aim, but is not a preferred defensive load in my view. The Super-Vel 110 grain JHP printed right on point of aim. We fired 10 rounds to confirm and I donated the remaining 110 grain JHP and WW 158 grain LSWCHP ammo to the student for duty carry.

I would advise that FMJ ammo is my last choice for Social Purposes, unless you wish to adhere to the Geneva Convention in which case the Bad Guy you encounter may be using jacketed hollow points! Load up with a better defensive round out of your M637. Since you reload, the Lyman Reloading Manual has a great 148 grain WC load with Unique that is a "stopper." I know of no law enforcement agency outside of the military that uses FMJ ammo.

Hope this helps.

Adam