Handgun questions

[Bill]

While not bowhunting, I know there's a number of folks who are knowledgeable about handguns.

Can I safely shoot +P rounds in a S&W model 36 (2" bbl, Chief's Special)? Would I need a gunsmith to inspect it first to be sure it's in good enough shape? I like carrying it when hunting as a backup weapon (protection for poachers, punk rockers, pot growers, pooches, pumas, pigs, and maybe pooh-bear?) since it's so small and light weight. If not +P, what's the hottest round I can safely shoot? Would I need to find somebody who hand loads and ask them the cost to do a box for me?

Has anybody shot the Springfield XD-40 Super Compact with a 3" barrel? How difficult is it to shoot with such a short barrel and a polymer frame?

[Hog_Hunter]

Yes you can shoot the +p rounds in your Smith.

[stikshooter]

Bill,I would'nt shoot +p's unless it is rated for it.Why do you think you need +p ? That gun is not rated for anything but a .38 special.The best load you could shoot out of that gun is a .38 special HP

[cosmiccowboy]

The 36 is NOT rated for +P ammo. The later version 36LS is, but it has different metallurgy and frame design. You may not get a catastrophic failure, but could fairly quickly affect the timing of your gun which is pretty much irreversible.

[cosmiccowboy]

BTW, your limiting factor in the 36 is not how hot a load you can fire but the 2" barrel. It's not burning all the powder in the barrel in a standard factory round already...any extra you might cram in will make more bang and more muzzle flash but won't significantly affect ballistics. If you are worried about knock down just practice double and triple tapping as a standard routine.

[bwssr]

and glazer safety slugs....

[cosmiccowboy]

I certainly don't want to get into a flame war but Glasers are way overhyped and way too unpredictable. Penetration is a huge issue. They may make catastrophic kills in "perfect" scenarios but blow up/ back prematurely in less than perfect situations. In a life or death situation there is no way that Glasers would be my first choice.

[Bill]

Hey, I really appreciate the advice. After reading yes and no, I did call S&W, and S&W tech support said no, don't do it, if I needed a hotter load go with the self defense loads. My preference so far has been full metal jackets since I don't want a hollow point mushrooming on a hogs head and bouncing off.

I think the odds of using the backup gun are highest of me running into a agressive pit bull on a ranch that needs attitude correction. BTW I always ask first if there are any dogs, and if I run into an aggressive dog and fear it biting somebody, what should I do? Sometimes they say "run", others "shoot 'em, shovel and I don't want to know about it".

[bwssr]

No prob here CCB....I'd still like 'em if all I had was a .328 and was worried about some"person"..running up to the window of my truck and grabing me....
but .45acp is just fine for me.
B-i_SJ...FMJs are hard to beet for what your looking for.
Be safe!

[stevesflyshop]

My opinion is to stick with FMJ and just make the shot count. If you have a multitude of potential targets (dogs/hogs/poohbear) a HP won't be the best for every one. FMJ will not mushroom in soft tissue but it won't deflect of pooh bear's noggin either.

I haven't tried the xd40 but I carry a Glock 27 - love it! Just my .02

[Bill]

Anybody own/shoot the XD-40? My friend who's a Sheriff said I'd be lucky hitting anything at 20 yards with the 3" bbl unless I practiced a lot.

[stikshooter]

I don't know about the xd-40,but I have a Kimber CDP with a three inch barrel,and I can dump a magazine in your hat a 20yds.QUICKLY.

[setherz]

I owned the XD - 9 in sub compact, and it shot well for both my wife and I. I prefer my Glock as I shoot it better.

[Flint knapper]

Bill, Have you tried the XTP hollowpoint by Hornnady. The slug is great because it is not pure led, but a lead/tin mix and tends to muchroom very slowly when hitting something hard. I've never had one that didn't pass completely through an animal.

[Bill]

Flintknapper,

No, but I'll look for them. I decided to take a ride at lunch to a local firearm range/store (yes, there still are several left in PRK- Peoples Rebublic of Kalifonia) looking at different pistols. The only gun I saw that I'd want to part with my hard-earned money was the Kimber 3" concealed carry- and that as $1,125, with tax and CA fees would be $1,267- I'd rather buy a new bow!

BTW, on the +P question, I asked and the guy said a couple weeks ago they had somebody buy them for a 38 spl, and blew the gun up on the range in his hands, luckily the guy was not seriously injured.