[Lord Soth]

How bad a "man stopper" is the 38 Special Cartridge? I mean is it really that bad?

[Old Fuff]

Not really, but it depends on how you define "bad." The old 158 grain round-nose lead bullet going around 800 fps was not particularly good, although it did nail a lot of people between 1899 to present. Today we have bullets that are considerably better and +P loads. That said, the important thing is bullet placement- hitting exactly where you need to - rather then a particular load or bullet. Of course some people won't be satisfied with anything less then a .45 or bigger. But still, a big bullet won't make up for a bad hit - unless you're lucky.

[P95Carry]

It does have a rather ''poor'' reputation ...... but as has been said, shot placement does count for a lot, with any round IMO.

The big thing about ''puttin an adversary down'' is based very much on having enough ''punch'' - PLUS being able to disable the CNS and get some ''shock'' effect also.

It has been proven tho many times, that a charging perp .. cranked up on adrenalin, can take some stopping ... and a shot that will only ''bleed him out'' ain't likely to guarantee stoppin him, before he has gotten other shots off at you!!

In summer, I have to often resort to my .38spl snubby ..... and so am very aware of possible shortcomings with the round, but frankly, any gun is better than no gun, and if you put 38 spl low on the list then I'd reckon to include also the .32's and maybe even 9x18 etc.

In the end, for me ... it's what I can still conceal and so, practice with the snubby does mean that I can reckon, even if stressed, to put at least three outa the five rounds where they will have some effect ... whether if push came to shove that would ''cut it'' I am not sure ... clothing will make a difference also.

I certainly and personally do not regard the round as ''mouse'' category but ..... it sure ain't over dynamic either!!

[bad_dad_brad]

.38 Special Federal PDs are a pretty good stopper. They expand well and recoil is mild. I would not feel underarmed with an SP101 loaded with them. Heck, that is what is on my nightstand.

[cheygriz]

I believe that a large portion of the bad rap that the .38 Spec. got was because of two factors.

1. The 158 GR RNL bullet.
2. The fact that nearly all police carried them, and police are, historically, notoriously poor marksmen.

Although I seldom carry one, I feel just as well armed with a 4 inch revolver in .38, loaded with 158GR +P LSWCHP, as I do with a 1911 .45.

[Mike Irwin]

Bad as in bad?

Or bad as in good?

Depending on the load, bad (as in bad) all the way to bad (as in good).

[Gordon]

Being a pistol is basically a chemically operated drill , you get a 3/8" hole in the subject, a .45 gets a 1/2" hole ect. IF the bullet expands you get a bigger hole with sharper edges for more tissue cut and crushed. Being you need a certain minimum penetration thru vitals and bone I prefer a full weight for caliber bullet , which in .357 diameter is 150 grains or better , with a big meplat(flat nose) . If you get complete penetration all the better for me as that is 2 holes to let out blood and in air to deflate lungs. I think a .38 spl is the minimum reliable cartridge that has proven to dispatch adversaries in a reasonable manner. It is an excellent animal slaughtering weapon up to 400 lbs or so. It is very controllable for rapid repeat shots something that magnums cannot do and that is neccessary for any pistol class weapon to be able to do in combat, thats why a .45acp is also optimum as a combat weapon.:)

[Jim March]

You have pick GOOD fodder, and go +P if at all possible, but yes the caliber will get it done if you do your part.

Because you can use very large hollowpoint cavities in a revolver, the "lowly" 38 may actually perform better than it's raw specs would otherwise suggest. The Winchester 130+P Supreme is one example of such a critter...expansion is good even out of snubs.

[Pendragon]

Much of people going down is psychological.

People who are on chemicals often will not go down until their body fails in some way.

Most "normal" people will fall down and prepare to meet their maker when they realize they have been shot.

It is hard to make the body fail quickly with most handguns.