Would you trust your life to a .38 special?

[los]

Everyday.....

 

[Onward Allusion]

Most definitely, especially with a 4" barrel. I wouldn't necessarily require +P loads either, although it would be a good idea.

For home defense, I would recommend a Taurus 608 loaded with .38spl. If you can afford it, get a S&W 327 TRR8 loaded with the same.

Get a semi AND a revolver!

Kylaen
Would you trust your life to a .38 special?
Revolver folks, I still debate between owning a semi or a wheelgun. I am considering an S&W 686 as a possible buy, so my question is this: 158-grain +P LSWCHP or otherwise, would you trust your life to a .38 special? Also, I think I would like a 4" instead of a snub, as I gain a round. But in terms of accuracy and velocity, does 2 more inches of steel really matter? Am I better off with a snub?

 

[Sgt_R]

Would you trust your life to a .38 special?
Revolver folks, I still debate between owning a semi or a wheelgun.

Why would you own just one? I have a couple of each, and I consider my collection far from complete. But yes, to answer the question, one of my revolvers is a S&W J-frame in .38 +p, loaded with Speer 135 Grain Short Barrel Gold Dot ammunition. I trust it to get the job done, as long as I do my part.

R

 

[Ratdog68]

Absolutely I would/and do (when I'm packing a wheel gun). Personally... for a "first" 686... I'd go no shorter than 4" for all around use.

 

[Taroman]

First rule of gunfighting has always been - bring a gun. If its a compact .38 Special revolver, the chance is oftentimes better that it will be there when the party starts.

 

[akadave]

My CCW is most often an LCR or S&W M&P both with +p Gold Dots in them.

 

[Manco]

Yes, with the right loads .38 Special can be very nearly as effective as any service caliber. For defensive purposes, I'd go with any LSWCHP load that gets decent penetration.

For instance, the following load seems like it would hit like a .40 S&W:

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=108

Unfortunately, I imagine that it must kick like one, too, but there are other loads that compromise a little on expansion, and should be easier on the shooter while being nearly as effective:

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=110
http://www.winchester.com/Products/...r-x/lead-semi-wad-cutter-hp/Pages/X38SPD.aspx

The main drawback to .38 Special, in my view, is that affordable practice ammo is not going to feel quite the same, in terms of recoil and blast, as the optimum defensive loads. For some that's alright, but for the recoil-sensitive there are still more options, including using the good old light-recoiling 148 grain lead wadcutter for both practice (non-match-grade loads for affordability) and self-defense (won't expand but should slice a nice deep wound channel).

As for barrel length, for me it's 4" or longer for home/range use and if you can carry a relatively long, somewhat large revolver, 3" for both carry (if you can) and home/range use, and a snubby only if you intend to carry it and cannot carry a longer one.

 

[oldbanjo]

I bought my first S&W md36, 2" barrel in 1969. I still use it and have shot 1000's of shots thru it. This and an airweight S&W are the only guns that I would never sell, for any sum. If you shoot enough you will be amazed at how accurate these guns can be and what they will kill. The only problem with a 38 is sometimes they won't go thru a car door. The angle, you shoot, is important. I could never feel safer than with my md36.

 

[doc540]

for a while now

 

[Sniper X]

Yep, sure would and do! Since it was THE defacto standard for Police worldwide for quite the number of years that says something.....

 

[Brian Williams]

YES.

 

[PRM]

Yep, with a little Mothers Mag Polish and some ivory, they also look good.

S&W Model 60-9

 

[Chasing Crow]

I'm with Cosmoline. I trust it no doubt!

 

[dashootist]

I use target load SWC 38 Spl in a S&W 686 for first line home defense. My artillery (backup) is SAA 45 Colt, for in case the evil doer is still stand after 6 rounds of 38 Spl.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would and do trust my SD needs to the .38 Special, daily...

 

[MR.G]

Yes.

 

[Hondo 60]

For a long time my house gun was a 38 special -a Charter Arms Undercover
(until I recently bought an SP101).

I like snubbies for SD. They're easier to peek are corners with.

 

[gordy]

I roll my own 38spl. And I use for cc a hornady 125 grain xtp bullet with 6.8 grains of power pistol in a winchester case. Runs right at 950 fps over my crony. Shoots great.
At 15 yards it will pick up a gallon jug of water and flip it over. great expantion with the xtp bullet.
This is out of a m642, the same round out of my 3 inch m65 runs right at 1075fps. Light recoil, the flash is kinda big and I do have some unburned powder. But I am very happy with the respons I get.

 

[MedWheeler]

Absolutely. My bedside gun is a 4" Magnum loaded with .38 Special +P ammunition. Among my carry pieces is also a .38 snub. In fact, I carried both for the first few years I was in LE.

 

[armoredman]

If I couldn't carry my CZs for some reason, I would be quite happy with my Smith 10-8 4", loaded with 158gr +P LSWCHP ammo, like it is stoked with right now. It's a great sidearm, that hits what I aim at, all the time.

 

[tasco 74]

very nice doc!! the spousal unit has the old round barreled det spl her dad carried when was the town cop here.... i do and absolutly recommend .38 spl for SD.......................

 

[valorius]

Would you trust your life to a .38 special?

Sure, if it's what i had. I carry a .380 CCW and have no problems relying on that.

 

[postalnut25]

Sure! 158 +P LSWCHP is what rode in my S&W 642 under my pillow when I lived in the crappy neighborhood.

 

[woad_yurt]

Yup.

 

[camsdaddy]

I would say yes. I sometimes carry a M38 2" snub and feel quite comfortable. I also have a 4" M13 K as well. If I had to take one shot for the money my M13 would be my centerfire choice. The only reason I dont carry it more than I do is I prefer appendix carry and I dont find it comfortable. For that reason I generally carry a Glock 26 or S&W 3913. I trust the cartridge well and someday will have either a shorter K frame or an SP101.