What would you choose?

[Arkansas Paul]

Not trying to hijack the thread but Paul Harrell has an interesting video about standard pressure ammo that I found informative.

I believe he has one specifically on Buffalo Bore in .38 Special as well which is why I would choose that ammo.

 

[tbob38]

Being specific on a ccw weapon. Lookinfg for opinions.

Five shot snub 2in 38 Special loaded with HST 130gr ammo

Or:

Nine shot 4in (J frame) 22 magnum loaded with Speer Gold Dot 40gr ammo

Which would you carry for daily ccw?

I have my 442 2in 38 Special loaded with HST 130gr ammo in my pocket rightnow.

 

[Bazoo]

i love rimfire revolvers, but got rid of a ruger lcr 22wmr and replaced it with a ruger lcr 22lr for a sometimes ccw. 22wmr out of a short barrel was way too much flashbang for too little result, even with handgun specific ammo. i was unable to keep shots on target. the lcr 22lr is superb.

i also like an airweight s&w 642 38sp snubbie for a ccw, but only shooting softer wadcutters.

of these two, i get much more (necessary) practice with the lcr 22lr, and 8 consistently accurate center mass 22lr hits would likely serve my humble suburban needs. if i were to be in the outdoors awhile a ruger single six loaded with 22wmr, and packing the 22lr cylinder, would be my choice.

Sir, what's the yellow cap on the cartridge in the baggie? I never thought of a baggie for a small reload for a revolver. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Buckeye63]

38 ....rimfire are not as dependable as centerfire

 

[scott1970]

The .38 without question.

 

[George P]

I'd take the .38 too, but I wouldn't carry either of those as a daily carry.

If it had to be a .38 revolver, one of the 2"- 4" K frames in a proper holster would be my choice.

Split the difference with a 3" 66

 

[UncleEd]

LeftyRed,

Your choices are superb: "hammerless" DAO. You are
among the wisest of men.

 

[reloaded_in_pa]

Depends on which one you shoot the best. A well placed 22 round could be just as effective as 6 poorly aimed 38 ones.

 

[chicharrones]

Being specific on a ccw weapon. Lookinfg for opinions.

Five shot snub 2in 38 Special loaded with HST 130gr ammo

Or:

Nine shot 4in (J frame) 22 magnum loaded with Speer Gold Dot 40gr ammo

Which would you carry for daily ccw?

I know you have the 9-shot 4" barrel .22 magnum, I'll assume you have the 5 shot snub nose .38 special.

For ease of carry and cartridge power, I'd have to pick the 5 shot .38 Special snubbie. I've owned one for many years and it carried much easier than something with a longer barrel.

Now, if you don't own the .38 and are casting for ideas . . . well, there are plenty of other options. If the ammo was available, I'd be leaning hard to a 6-shot Ruger LCR in .327 federal magnum.

 

[LeftyRed]

LeftyRed,

Your choices are superb: "hammerless" DAO. You are
among the wisest of men.

I stand on shoulders of giants good sir.

 

[Slamfire]

I decided 38 Special. It is not as if a 38 Special in a two inch barrel is going to be a tank killer. But it will make a hole.

I have the five shot version



and then, Taurus made a six shot



I purchased these before the Biden Gun Panic, and the first one had to been around $225 new, and the six shooter, about $250.00. I have put more rounds through the five shooter, it has a smooth action, shoots to point of aim, accurate enough.

this is the sort of accuracy I expect from a snubbie, at close range. These things are hard to shoot well.





25 yards is very far with a snubbie. I have since come to the conclusion, that the group would have been centered, if I had not been flinching.

 

[SwampWolf]

38 for primer reliability,

Same here. Otherwise, I'd pick nine .22 Magnum rounds over five .38 Specials.

 

[J-Bar]

My missus and I carry S&W .38 snubbies.

Next question?

 

[Pat Riot]

It depends…
Are we worried about Zombies or Bears?

 

[jstert]

Sir, what's the yellow cap on the cartridge in the baggie? I never thought of a baggie for a small reload for a revolver. Thanks for the idea.

the two yellow thingies are a set of earplugs. i wear earplugs when shooting 38sp, even in a survival situation if i have time, thus want them handy. shooting 22lr outdoors without hearing protection certainly isn’t advisable, but is more doable in a pinch and is another plus for 22lr.

 

[Kleanbore]

Depends on which one you shoot the best. A well placed 22 round could be just as effective as 6 poorly aimed 38 ones.

In defensive shooting, placement is as much a matter of luck as skill.

 

[Haywood]

I’d carry what I always carry. Two J-Frames loaded with the street proven stopper Speer Gold Dot 135g. 38+P . These are today’s carry.

 

[springfield30-06]

.38
I would choose it even if I had to choose the ammo you mentioned.
But I would use Buffalo Bore 158 grain SWC hollow points if I carried a .38 Special, assuming I could find them of course.

This- .38 over the .22 magnum every time. When I carry the J-frames I use the Buffalo Bore .38 spl LSWCHP as Arkansas Paul mentioned.

 

[Pat Riot]

Being specific on a ccw weapon. Lookinfg for opinions.

Five shot snub 2in 38 Special loaded with HST 130gr ammo

Or:

Nine shot 4in (J frame) 22 magnum loaded with Speer Gold Dot 40gr ammo

Which would you carry for daily ccw?

Kidding aside from my earlier post, I would carry the .38 J frame. My main carry was my 442 with two speedloaders. I would sometimes carry two J frames or my 442 would be backup for my Glock.

Anyway, if your concerned about having only 5 rounds and you own both guns that you have listed, why not carry both if you have the ability?

 

[357smallbore]

I know you have the 9-shot 4" barrel .22 magnum, I'll assume you have the 5 shot snub nose .38 special.

For ease of carry and cartridge power, I'd have to pick the 5 shot .38 Special snubbie. I've owned one for many years and it carried much easier than something with a longer barrel.

Now, if you don't own the .38 and are casting for ideas . . . well, there are plenty of other options. If the ammo was available, I'd be leaning hard to a 6-shot Ruger LCR in .327 federal magnum.

I own a 3in Taurus 85 & a 2in 85. Love them. My 22 magnum is a High Standard Sentinel MKIV

 

[Sarge7402]

40 years ago I picked up a Charter Arms Undercover and loaded it (back then) with military 130 Grain JRN. When I got my loading set up I loaded 158 Grain Hard Cast SWC ahead of a stiff charge of Unique and never felt under armed

 

[357smallbore]

I've never had a light strike or ftf with a 22 magnum. 22lr that a different story. 9 rds of 22 magnum I believe is just as deadly as 5 rds of 38 special. Is it my go to as an every day carry? NO.I use a 9mm or 44 Special for that. But I am 100% confident that the 22 magnum and the ammunition I listed can stop an attacker before said attacker could leathly injur me.
I believe the 22 magnum is grossly underrated as a defensive weapon

 

[dougader]

A guy could pocket carry both at the same time, no?

 

[Don Van Winkle]

I am a .38 SPL guy all the way.

 

[chicharrones]

Deleted, didn’t realize age of thread. Previous response stands.