I apologize if this has been discussed, if it has, I could not find the thread. What personal defense ammo would you recommend for a S&W 442 .38 SPL revolver? It is rated for +P. I noticed that there are numerous rounds that have different amounts of powder. I know most would recommend a hollow point, but the "grain" is confusing me. I would like suggestions for brand, point (head), grain and any other factors I should consider.

I use the Winchester Silver tip in my S&W 38+P. Tom.

That's what I carried when I was a cop.

I sold a bunch of this ammo to police departments back in the late 80's and early 90's. I figure if it is good enough for them then it is good enough for me. The funny thing was they shot most of it in 357 magnum's. The load was a little stiffer than a 38 without the recoil of a 357, or at least that is what they thought. That was right before and during the early stages of when the departments were going semi-auto 9mm stupid. Tom.

We used to load wadcutters backwards.Made some nasty litle rounds.

The s&w model 442 airweight dao is the exact same revolver I gave wife not too long ago and she loves it. The only way she can 1/2 way comfortably shoot +P ammo in it however is using 110 gr +P with good bullet such as the cor-bon 110+P loading. Staying with a lighter bullet will lower recoil somewhat.

Try the Speer Gold Dot Hollow Point "short barrel" load.

Yeah, the recoil really becomes an issue with the really light S&W snubbies. I had the chance to shoot a Titanium S&W snubnose .357 Mag a few years ago at an event hosted by a local gun shop and the regional S&W sales rep. They had every handgun made by S&W there and you could shoot 5 rounds through as many different guns as you wanted. I went primarily to shoot the then brand new .500 S&W Mag. Anyway, I decided to give that very little and very light (I don't even think it weighed a full pound), snubnose a try with full tilt .357 Mag cartridges... and I wished afterward that I'd have asked for .38 Spl. The recoil was BRUTAL. It made the 4" Model 500 I'd shot before it seem like a real pu$$ycat. By far the worst felt recoil of any handgun I've ever shot. Between the very light weight and the very small and narrow grip, it just plain hurt.

Mike