Show on home defense, they said...

[davidd]

I was watching a show on home defense which was interesting for a newbie like me. One of the things i noticed was the two professionals discussing the various options (which included shotguns, knives, revolvers, semi autos, etc) both were big fans of the 38 revolver for everyday pocket carry protection. I live in Florida where shots and light clothing is typical, so something small and discrete would be nice. I don't know which guns they owned, but i like the idea of something small and dependable. If it is a big gun, i definately would never carry it. I don't even like carrying my car keys or a cell phone.

anyway, what is your thought on a very small 38 revolver? Is it good enough for defense, are there better options that are equally small and reliable? I look at the ballistics and the 38 seems to be about the same as my 380, though the 38ACP (whatever that is) is a bit stronger.

By the way, the show was nice b/c they did not seem to show a strong bias, just went through pros/cons, I just happened to notice their personal choie as the 38 pocket gun.

any suggestions?

 

[TX1911fan]

I daily carry a S&W 340PD. It's a 12 ounce .357/38 spl. I load it with .38 spl +P ammo, because shooting .357 from it is too much for me. I don't know if I would regularly carry a bigger gun, given that in Texas most of the year is also just shorts and t-shirts. Works well for me, and I'm not too worried about having "only" a .38.

 

[1BLINDREF]

Can't go wrong with a S&W 642. At 15 ozs, you'll forget its there. Check out this thread. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=138658

 

[RP86]

+1 for 642

 

[Sistema1927]

+2 (or if you read the 642 Club thread, +10,000) on the 642.

 

[orionengnr]

642 = 15 oz., ~$350 new
340/360 = 12 oz. ~$800 new

 

[MCgunner]

I often carry a Taurus Ultralite .38 +P (about $300 new) and do NOT feel inadequately armed. It carries well in a pocked, 17 ounces loaded weight. The 642 is a great hammerless gun for the pocket and reasonably priced new unlike most S&W revolvers. And, for newbies, I think the revolver is the best choice of firearms. The DA trigger will take you a while to master, but might as well tackle it now as later because good pocket guns are DA, not SA or "safe action". JMHO, though, but my .38 defends my person and my home. It's my always gun. It's always loaded and always there.

 

[TX1911fan]

By the way, I add my +1 for teh 642. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't spend the extra $330 to $400 on the 340PD. The only difference is I can shoot .357, which I never do because I like the bones in my hand where they are now. The 642 is an excellent choice, and one I have recommended to many friends and family.

 

[jad0110]

Another vote for a S&W J Frame snub in either 638 (shrouded hammer) or 642 (concealed hammer) flavors. Taurus makes some really nice pocket protectors too, so be sure to check them out.

And as others have already said, come on by The 642 Club right here in the revolver forum.

On paper, the 38 Special doesn't look much more impressive than 380 ACP. But numbers don't tell the whole story, as 38 +P rounds like the 158 grain Lead Semi Wadcutter Hollowpoint (LSWCHP - FBI Load) and the 110 grain Corbon DPX have an excellent real-world track record on the street. The new Speer Gold Dot 125 and 135 grainers are pretty new, but they perform very well in ballistics gell tests - the 135 is my pick for my 642. These rounds get sufficient penetration that, with proper placement, will do the job of protecting you and others as well as other medium and large bore handgun rounds.

A note on lightweight snubs however. How much experience do you have with handguns and firearms in general? The lightweight versions of the snub are not the best beginners guns. Some find the recoil on such guns to be quite harsh, though I personally don't find it to be too objectionable. And although the little snubby is capable of pretty exceptional accuracy, it is a difficult gun to point/aim well because of the tiny sight radius. Plus, the small stocks do tend to magnify even the smallest problems with your grip technique.

You may wish to start out with an inexpensive 22LR handgun, get some practice, and then try out a bunch of different handguns for CCW and see what you like best. Everyone needs a sweet 22 anyway . I freely admit that when I first started shooting I ignored the humble little 22 for a short time. Thought it was beneath me, that I would be less of a man for shooting such a "wimpy" caliber. I was obviously a moron. Today I consider my 22 the best training / fun gun I own.

A pic of my pocket protector (S&W 642):

 

[M2 Carbine]

If I could pocket carry a 2 inch 38 S&W J Frame I'd do it in a second but my pockets aren't deep enough.
I do carry it around the place, especially at night outside.

What I highly recommend is a lot of practice with the little gun and having it equipped with the Crimson Trace Laser grips.
If available I have a laser on all my defense guns.

With only five shots I want every chance, night or day, to make all five shots count.

 

[Ala Dan]

There probably are more 2" S&W J-frame .38 Specials [and KEL-TEC P3AT
.380's] used as concealment handguns than any other make or model of
firearm. Before KEL-TEC came on the scene, I have carried virtually every
S&W J-frame (except the Airlite's) known too man. They have always
been very popular, and in some instances very hard to procure; such as in
the very early days of the old model .38 Special model, 2" barrel model 60.
Introduced in 1965, these little gems were in HOT DEMAND; by LEO types,
and in country service personel during the Viet-Nam War. It wan't until
'bout 1973 that I was able to acquire one; then I bought two, one for
me and one for my dad. Although, I have neither of those today; I do
have the same gun from the 79-80 vintage era. They were discontinued
in 1996~!

 

[justaguy]

KAHR

You might also want to check out KAHR pistols. The PM9 is a very small and light but still a shootable autoloader. They are chambered for 9mm and 40cal. The 9mm mag holds 6rds plus one in chamber. They are flatter than a revolver or a sub compact Glock. Their trigger is DA revolverish (long and smooth). The sights are better and spare ammo (extra mags) are easier to reload and carry.

It boils down to personal preference. Do you like autos or revolvers? I suggest shooting both and choose what's right for you.
Mike

 

[vanilla_gorilla]

My opinion is certainly in the minority on most boards, but it is this: a 5 or 6 round .38 makes a great backup gun. Primary gun? Maybe if I had two, but I'd much rather carry something with a little more umph to it, and more rounds to when I can. I sometimes carry full-sized revolvers, but I carry multiple reloads and my carry caliber starts at .357 and goes up.

My personal defense preferences run more towards full- or mid-size 1911s or other guns in .45 or 9mm, both of which tend to be more potent than the .38 Special, and typically have more ammo capacity. It's not hard to carry a larger gun if you don't listen to the people who tell you that you can't.

 

[tuckerdog1]

Over the years, I tried several guns for carry. Most were either too heavy, or the wrong shape ( for my body ) or both, to carry comfortably. And if it wasn't comfortable, it didn't get carried.

While I'm always on the lookout for something with more "bang", that I'll actually carry, The S&W J frame is the best I've found. A great deal of people love the 642. I personally chose the 638, because I like the cocked single action option. The gun is a bit awkward looking however.

I'm in TX, so shorts & T shirt are the norm for a good part of the year. I use a clipdraw, so even shorts with a draw string, and no belt loops is not a problem.

Tuckerdog1

 

[strat81]

Am I the only one thinking Glock 26/27/33? Gun size is relative: it depends on your body type, carrying style, and the clothes you wear. Not all pockets are created equal. My CCW instructor had khakis that could swallow a Glock 26 with a 33rd magazine. I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself.

But yes, a 642 (or similar snub-nose) is a fine choice for self-defense, but certainly not the only choice.

 

[Stretchman]

I have a G19 for serious carry, where I think I am going someplace where the odds are that I may have to deploy a weapon, but I also have a Taurus 88SS UL that can shoot +p all day long.

The biggest difference for me was getting a good grip for it. I chose Pachmeyr for the 5 shot, since it passed the "points where it should" test. That test is about sights lining up when the gun is in a natural grip, because when you pull it in a SD scenario, that is the way it'll point, sights or no sights. Does make the gun a little better; I put over 100 rounds through it last week, and it shot to point of aim, with no soreness.

Only bad point is that it makes it a little less concealable. Not enough for it to print, but you need to choose your clothing a little more carefully.