Is the .38 snub enough gun?

[MCgunner]

I tried some Hydroshocks once, but they weren't terribly accurate. I could keep 'em into 8" or so at 25, but that doesn't really do it for me. My loads shoot about 3" off a rest at 25. I don't know if the little post in the middle messed 'em up or what was the deal, but I just didn't like the lack of accuracy. Wouldn't really matter at handshake ranges or out to typical defense ranges I guess, I just like better.

I've got some gold dot 125s I got from someone, don't even remember who. I haven't even tried 'em. I guess I should. They're too light, though. I like the heavier bullets in the caliber. 125 grains don't do a lot for me at .38 velocities. They are +P though. Next time I make a range trip with the chrony, I'll try to remember to shoot 'em.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

MCgunner,
Give HS-6 a try. I'm working on a .38 Special +P round with HS-6 and a Hornady 158gr LSWC/HP bullet. HS-6 seems to give me the velocity I'm looking for without high pressure. A standard pressure load is also good using 6.3gr of HS-6 with the above bullet. I'll Chrono them next time I remember to bring the Chrono to the range!! LOL

 

[tango3065]

I had to put a deer out of its misery early one morning last winter after some moron hit it with a truck and left it in the road crawling around without the use of both back legs. It was deer season and I had my 270 in the back seat but I was really close to a residential area so I shot it in the back of the head with a 125gr +p WWB out of my S&W 642 and the deer never made a move or a sound, and donated it to the local meat house which was able to salvage all except the hams.

Bullet entry was dead center to the back of the head and exit wound was on the left side right below the eye with a good size exit hole, shot distance was around ten feet because ever time I tried to get close poor thing would crawl in agonizing pain and made sounds I have never in all my years of hunting heard a deer make.

I have no problems trusting a 38 spl.

 

[Stainz]

One thing to keep in perspective re the anemic 158gr RNL in .38 S&W Special.. it replaced the .32 S&W and S&WL/Colt Police Positive. It was a bit of a step up to them - yet they persisted for some time.

Reviewing the 'One Shot Stop' statistics shows that the 158gr LHPSWC +P load is an effective man-stopper even by today's standards. Late .38's, like my 2" 10-11, and my 642-2, are perfectly at ease with such a load. I keep the Remingtons around for carry, and the ballistically/recoil similar Georgia Arms #G38E variant for the range (They are a small fraction of the cost.). Both types make 830-840 fps from my snubbies.

Stainz

 

[PX15]

JMOFO:

Honestly you are wasting your time asking a question such as "is the 38 snub enough gun" because you are going to get a wagon load of DIFFERENT opinions on the subject.

Every one of us who has been around firearms for any length of time (I've been cc legally since 1966, yeah I'm an old fart) have already made up our minds because of personal experience with whatever firearm we have come to love and rely on. We have also made up our minds, and don't intend to let a change in facts change our opinions, as to what firearm and what caliber round, and how many of those rounds are "enough"..

Obviously the bigger the hole created, and the more of them, the more attractive the firearm will be. But the mousegun in your pocket is a tremendously better option when the ball falls than the hand cannon you had to leave at home..

I think for non-leos and those others in related fields who have a much greater potential for having to defend themselves with deadly force the vast majority of us are well served with "ALMOST" any self defense weapon that is 100% reliable, sufficiently accurate at self defense range, and can be carried concealed on a daily basis.

I've found I can carry concealed in a wallet holster my LWS32 almost anytime anyplace. I can carry concealed my P99c/AS other places, but as you go up the size, weight, line it becomes more and more difficult to conceal your weapon of choice.. At some point you simply cannot carry it concealed, then it's worthless, for that purpose.

I've had snubby's for 4+ decades. I've never felt undergunned with any of them for my self defense needs. For the past 2 decades or so I have jumped on the plastic 9mm bandwagon, and found some excellent weapons. But I still like to slip my Crimson Trace equipped 638 Airweight Bodyguard in an iwb holster from time to time. The Bodyguard is: light/100% reliable/The CT's make it amazingly accurate at self defense range/ I just like it.

My personal opinion to your initial question would be, yes indeed the 38 snub is enough gun.. For me. You have to decide whether it is or not for yourself.

Not trying to be a smart butt, just expressing my personal opinion. YMMV.

Best Wishes,

J.Pomeroy