CCI/Speer Lawman 125gr 38 Spl +P SJHP Test

[El Chivato]

Handgun: Rossi M68 38 Spl 1-7/8” barrel
Ammunition: CCI/Speer Lawman 125gr 38 Spl +P SJHP

Having had a fever for a couple weeks and finally securing the doctor’s permission to get out of the house for a bit, I did what most any red-blooded American shooter would do: I went to the gunstore and secured some ammunition that I had been curious about.

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This is what grabbed my attention. I wasn’t aware that CCI/Speer markets hollowpoints under the Lawman name, and it turns out they don’t… anymore.

Of course I had to test it…

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My standard setup…

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… and the four layers of denim on the front of the first jug.

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Here’s the shot. Look at that… from a snub 38.

To say that this ammunition is energetic is a bit of an understatement. Though not a .454 by any means, it felt like a heavy 357 Magnum from a 4” K frame S&W. If I want to shoot many more of these, I will buy a gun that can handle it. I don’t see how carrying them for defense would hurt however.

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Here is the denim where it landed. The bullet went through a seam as well. The cricket’s cameo was not my idea.

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The damage is what I’ve come to expect from 9mm loads, not 38 Spl. The first jug was shredded.

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As was the second jug…

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And the third jug was hit hard.

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The bullet finally stopped in the fifth jug, after trying to exit it as well.

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Denim was found in every jug except the last. It seems the bullet was not too impressed by it as it did its job regardless.

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Final results…

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And a closeup of an unfired bullet. This is the same hexagonal hollowpoint that I’ve found in old-style, pre-Golden Saber Remington hollowpoint 9mm.

Overall, I’m very impressed. However, I truly don’t know if I’ll carry this. There is newer fodder out there and I’m not sure if this ammunition is truly “just” +P or if it’s something above and beyond. At any rate, I’m guessing it’s really pushing the “+P” designation. It would be interesting to see what the true pressures are compared to today’s +P ammunition.

Josh <><

[JohnKSa]

Nice! Very informative.