What a unique and seldom asked question ...
I won't offer my usual responses to this question, since I've pretty much written it repeatedly in other threads of a similar topic ... but instead, I'll offer these thoughts this time ...
If bullets are flying in your general or specific direction, I doubt any gun is going to 'feel' like it's 'enough gun' ... unless it's large and sturdy enough to also be used as cover.
I think many folks may potentially risk being somewhat disillusioned, or perhaps are deluding themselves a bit (albeit intentionally or unintentially), if they 'feel comforted' by the mere presence of some defensive handgun, regardless of caliber/make/model/capacity/design ... unless they've acquired the necessary knowledge, experience, skills, shooting & handling techniques with their chosen defensive handgun, and spend a reasonable amount of time maintaining those perishable skills.
Then, there's the whole issue regarding learning about the lawful use of force issue, as well as understanding the maintenance requirements of the chosen firearm ... and understanding the mental/psychological issues of potentially using deadly force against another humna being ... and then there's the elevated awareness of your whole environment, as well as gaining an understanding of strategy/tactics which may be necessary to preserve your life, the lives of your loved ones, etc., etc..
With all of these things taken into due consideration, does a .38 Spl short-barreled, 5-shot revolver seem 'acceptable' for my anticipated needs in many circumstances? Yes ... but then, that's only me.
I see a lot of folks that are probably kidding themselves about being 'adequately armed' when they're carrying a full-size, high-capacity "fighting handgun" chambered in some respectable "combat caliber", too ...
If I have to go through some dangerous doorway somewhere ... (is there another kind, BTW?) ... I'm more concerned about the reliability of my personal weapon ... and the skills, abilities and experience of the partner beside/behind me. Give me the experienced veteran armed with a Model 10 .38 Spl, over the inexperienced, enthusiastic "I-just-came-back-from-advanced-street/combat-aggressive/mental-warrior-combat-dynamics-school", any day, even if carrying some legendary piece of firearms hardware worshipped in the gun magazines ... (Or, preferably, with both of us experienced folks armed with AR's and/or 870's
).
The venerable S&W J-frame .38 Spl snubnose has benefitted from some great improvements in both production and ammunition, but it's not the easiest handgun for many folks to use, either on a regular range, or under stress.
It's not for everybody, or perhaps not even for many folks ... although I still find it a useful choice for many off-duty circumstances and activities, unless a larger, more powerful .357 Magnum wheelgun, or a pistol chambered in 9mm/.40 S&W/.45 ACP, is potentially more appropriate. Just depends ...
I no longer offer argument or disagreement to those folks that subscribe to the "not
comfortable, but
comforting" thinking, as if it were some sort of mantra ... when it comes to selecting a lawfully concealed handgun. It's more of a yes, no or sometimes issue for me, not black and white and engraved in stone. My choice, anyway ...
The ability to
have a sufficiently reliable, accurate and 'powerful' defensive handgun at hand when its needed is important, and a lot of folks sometimes seem willing to carry a 5-shot J-frame when they might otherwise go unarmed.
Risk assessment, informed decision and acceptable compromise, and all that ...
And, of course, training, training & more training ...
I'll never disagree that sometimes a bigger handgun is better idea, either. Just depends ...
That being said, I just ordered a new Airweight (M37), to add to my collection of a 649 (old style), 642-1 and a SP-101 DAO.