Treasury .38Spl load, 110gr.+P+ JHP

[cathellsk]

I recently found out my agency used to use this load from the early '80s, after switching from 158gr.LRN, till we went to 9mms agency wide in the mid '90s. First in S&W model 10s then later 64s. The supplier was Winchester.

I always read it and the "Chicago" or "Bureau" load, 158gr.+P LSWHP, were the two popular loads of the time. What was it's real rep in your opinion and how does it stack up today compared to what we have available?

My preferred choice is the NYPD load, Speer Gold Dot 135gr.+P JHP. I'm just wondering from a historical point of view.

[tpd223]

Too much expansion, not enough penetration, poor barrier performance, excessive muzzle blast from snubs.

[DocGKR]

What tpd223 wrote...

[Jake'sDad]

Too much expansion, not enough penetration, poor barrier performance, excessive muzzle blast from snubs.

Hey, at least it had accelerated wear.......

[ppro]

Poor performance.
Two shootings observed 3 yds range.

Poor penetration


Don't use it.

Paul

[Beat Trash]

Too much expansion, not enough penetration, poor barrier performance, excessive muzzle blast from snubs.

My agency used this load for off duty snubs as well as the 4" S&W 66's carried on duty.

The training round was a 148 gr wad cutter. I came on not too long after the transition to 9mm. I think I would have preferred to carry the 148 gr wad cutter on duty, and just say "Oops, I forgot to switch" if it became an issue.

Compared to various loads available today, I can not think of any advantage this loading has over current ammunition.

[Jake'sDad]

CHP was also a major user of the 110 grain +P+ round for a few years in their specially ordered S&W Model 68 .38 Specials. (6" Model 66 with a .38 cylinder).

Spectacular failures in field shootings, especially though barriers, prompted a return to .357 Mag, using the 145 grain Silvertips, prior to their conversion to .40's.

[Dienekes]

My agency (INS, Border Patrol) Used it for a while circa 1980, then went to the FBI load for .38 Spl. and 110 JHP in .357s. I still have some of the stuff. I shot some of it in a M37 Airweight and it was hard on the gun, resulted in a trip back to the factory to get everything back in line again.

We heard that it didn't have the penetration needed.

[xrayoneone]

The T load. T for "trash"

[Jake'sDad]

My agency (INS, Border Patrol) Used it for a while circa 1980, then went to the FBI load for .38 Spl. and 110 JHP in .357s. I still have some of the stuff. I shot some of it in a M37 Airweight and it was hard on the gun, resulted in a trip back to the factory to get everything back in line again.

We heard that it didn't have the penetration needed.

Most of the federal agencies issued it around that time frame. I was on a joint task force with several feds at the time. I remember the US Marshal's on the team just ignored it and carried what they felt like.