loneviking
Member
Yes, a 38/357 can shoot regular 38's. I have done it with my Colt and there is NO felt recoil. It's like shooting a 22.
Gentlemen, your words of wisdom
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def
Member
Thank you Viking, I really appreciate your help! I did not know that. As one can assume, I know very little about handguns and much of what I "know," I've learned here from you wonderful folks! Considering this will be my first handgun and the first one I've shot in years (long while back, I shot my friend's dad's Walther PP7. An experience I don't remember too well, except that I was a pretty bad shot). I think I'll consider starting with regular 38s and moving up when I get used to them. I'm glad to hear that the sp101 will take 'em!
machinisttx
Member
I'm somewhat confused.... I have absolutely no idea what a "regular" .38 is if it isn't .38 Special.
There are two commonly known .38 revolver cartridges. One is the .38 S&W and the other is the .38 special. The .38 S&W cartridge is obsolete, difficult to find, expensive, and uses a slightly larger bullet and case diameter than the .38 Special. It doesn't do anything the .38 Special can't do better, except cost more. I believe .38 Special is about $12 per box of 50 now, while the shorter .38 S&W is at least double that price and probably more.
There isn't any reason not to buy and use .38 Special in an SP101. My SP101 is pleasant to shoot even with .357 magnum loads.
For a first handgun, I would suggest something in .22 rimfire.
There are two commonly known .38 revolver cartridges. One is the .38 S&W and the other is the .38 special. The .38 S&W cartridge is obsolete, difficult to find, expensive, and uses a slightly larger bullet and case diameter than the .38 Special. It doesn't do anything the .38 Special can't do better, except cost more. I believe .38 Special is about $12 per box of 50 now, while the shorter .38 S&W is at least double that price and probably more.
There isn't any reason not to buy and use .38 Special in an SP101. My SP101 is pleasant to shoot even with .357 magnum loads.
For a first handgun, I would suggest something in .22 rimfire.
Matt-J2
Member
A 'regular .38' could be a non +p .38spc. Only thing I can think of.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
def,
Like said above, there are many names for the .38 Smith & Wesson Special. You can fire a .357 Magnum, .38 Special and .38 Special +P round in that revolver but NOT a .38 S&W. The .38 S&W (without the Special) is a shorter, wider round that won't fit correctly in the chamber of a .38 Special and is dangerous to shoot because the bullet is sized to .360", not .357" or .358". Be careful what you load in your revolver.
Like said above, there are many names for the .38 Smith & Wesson Special. You can fire a .357 Magnum, .38 Special and .38 Special +P round in that revolver but NOT a .38 S&W. The .38 S&W (without the Special) is a shorter, wider round that won't fit correctly in the chamber of a .38 Special and is dangerous to shoot because the bullet is sized to .360", not .357" or .358". Be careful what you load in your revolver.
loneviking
Member
Yes, a regular 38 is a non '+P' load. I didn't mention the old 38 S&W as I haven't seen one of those in years--is it even still being produced?
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Get a 3" SP101
Then get into reloading so you can shoot more.
Then save for the Vaq
Then get into reloading so you can shoot more.
Then save for the Vaq
machinisttx
Member
Makes sense I guess. They're all .38 Specials to me.
machinisttx
Member
You can still buy ammo, but I don't think a gun has been chambered for it in the last 40 years....
def
Member
I'm not sure what the man meant when he said (er... typed) it. Thanks, gents.
Harve Curry
Member
It sounds like you'd have more actual shooting use with the new model Vaquero. They are not that big anymore, a 4 5/8th inch would be nice. It can load and carry safe on 6 rounds.
def
Member
I've not seen a New Vaq in person. How easy/difficult would one be to concealed carry in a shoulder holster (with a jacket, of course)?
loneviking
Member
Should be easy with a good vertical rig. Someone might catch a glimpse of the straps over the tops of the arms, but those could be suspenders. The length of the barrel is going to be influenced by the length of your torso. Long waisted folks like me have no problem concealing a 6" barrel. Folks with a shorter waist might want a 4" barrel. A good vertical rig pulls the gun in tight to your side and adds very little to your width.
I have a thread on the holster area on living with a shoulder holster that has some good pointers in it if you decide to go with a shoulder holster.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Def,
You really don't want to carry a single action revolver around for SD especially in 38/357. If it were in .45 Colt and you were going to use it as a woods gun that would be different. In these times of everyone wanting 15+ rounds in a semi-auto a single action revolver would be impossible to reload with any speed at all if you needed to in an emergency. At least with a DA revolver you can use speedloaders and reload fairly quickly with a little practice. I'm a big fan of short barrel DA revolvers for SD but IMO a large SA revolver is impractical for Urban SD carry. (I carry a S&W J frame all the time)
You really don't want to carry a single action revolver around for SD especially in 38/357. If it were in .45 Colt and you were going to use it as a woods gun that would be different. In these times of everyone wanting 15+ rounds in a semi-auto a single action revolver would be impossible to reload with any speed at all if you needed to in an emergency. At least with a DA revolver you can use speedloaders and reload fairly quickly with a little practice. I'm a big fan of short barrel DA revolvers for SD but IMO a large SA revolver is impractical for Urban SD carry. (I carry a S&W J frame all the time)
AStone
Member
Ladies & Gentlemen, your words of wisdom
As a guy, I'm going to step OT here for a minute to address a bit of THR protocol that no one else seems to have addressed.
(I've already p****d off a bunch of people today; what's a dozen more?)
Please remember that THR is a forum composed of men AND women.
If you're going to ask for wisdom, invite the women, too.
Using the salutation "gentlemen"
exclusively in your subject line
does not invite the women.
Yes, words matter. Consider, for example, how you'd feel if someone wrote,
"Ladies, your words of wisdom". Sort of leaves you out, don't it?
__________
Aside from that, I'd agree with a few others.
Buy a SW 64/65 and call it good.
As a guy, I'm going to step OT here for a minute to address a bit of THR protocol that no one else seems to have addressed.
(I've already p****d off a bunch of people today; what's a dozen more?)
Please remember that THR is a forum composed of men AND women.
If you're going to ask for wisdom, invite the women, too.
Using the salutation "gentlemen"
exclusively in your subject line
does not invite the women.
Yes, words matter. Consider, for example, how you'd feel if someone wrote,
"Ladies, your words of wisdom". Sort of leaves you out, don't it?
__________
Aside from that, I'd agree with a few others.
Buy a SW 64/65 and call it good.
def
Member
""Ladies, your words of wisdom". Sort of leaves you out, don't it?"
Let's face it. A LARGE majority of the users here are men. If I were at a forum or convention or whatever that was predominantly female and someone said "hey ladies," "all you ladies," etc. I'd certainly understand and not give a damn. For example, Let's say I was on a cosmetology website, if someone addressed the board as "I need your help, ladies!" I'd understand and not think twice about it. However, point taken, although a moot one at that.
Anyways, if it matters at all, my gun would more than likely be used for woods carry every now and again.
Let's face it. A LARGE majority of the users here are men. If I were at a forum or convention or whatever that was predominantly female and someone said "hey ladies," "all you ladies," etc. I'd certainly understand and not give a damn. For example, Let's say I was on a cosmetology website, if someone addressed the board as "I need your help, ladies!" I'd understand and not think twice about it. However, point taken, although a moot one at that.
Anyways, if it matters at all, my gun would more than likely be used for woods carry every now and again.
AStone
Member
Def, fair enough. I just like to acknowledge our women members.
Some complain from time to time (understandably) about being left out.
Some complain from time to time (understandably) about being left out.
kcshooter
Member
Gentlepersons....
saltydog452
Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2004
- Messages
- 1,707
Ruger 101.
Other 'Words Of Wisdom' would include: Never order fish at a steak house.
salty
Other 'Words Of Wisdom' would include: Never order fish at a steak house.
salty
researchdoc
Member
SP
Without a doubt.. SP first..
then come back and get the Vaq.
Without a doubt.. SP first..
then come back and get the Vaq.
Apologies for missing this thread for so many days.
Start with the SP101. Start reloading -- immediately. That will require additional patience with your budget but will "pay back" immediately. .38 Special is not a difficult cartridge to figure out. Almost every local gun shop worth the name will have cast, 158 SWCs available. Load those over anybody's primer, in anybody's brass, over 4.5 grains of Unique or a bit less of Bullseye and you'll learn that you can actually afford to practice! --and it will be FUN!!
Otherwise, you'll become another half-baked shooter, whining about ammunition prices on this blog!
Start with the SP101. Start reloading -- immediately. That will require additional patience with your budget but will "pay back" immediately. .38 Special is not a difficult cartridge to figure out. Almost every local gun shop worth the name will have cast, 158 SWCs available. Load those over anybody's primer, in anybody's brass, over 4.5 grains of Unique or a bit less of Bullseye and you'll learn that you can actually afford to practice! --and it will be FUN!!
Otherwise, you'll become another half-baked shooter, whining about ammunition prices on this blog!
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