38 Special

[hermosabeach]

For non snubby - pick up 357

For a snubby - 357 is too violent to the shooter. Slow second shot- develop a flinch. The snub nose is an experts weapon.
Why
Light gun
Long trigger pull to allow you to move the gun off target
Heavy trigger pull - 3 times of a striker pistol - easy to move sight off of target
Sights- if you can call them that


I know folks who have a 357 snubby and they never shoot them

[geekeye]

i shoot nothing but 357 out of my full underlug L-frame and nothing but 38 out of my airweight J-frame, and as far as recoil goes, the lighter gun makes it snappy enough to still be exciting even with 38.

[tkpow]

yup

...my thoughts exactly!....depends on what gun. I love having the option to shoot .357 out of my S&W Model 66; got the K frame for that reason.

Thought about adding an LCR to the mix but it was too painful to even get through a box of .38 special...

[slamfire1]

I think the 38 Special is at its best in a snubbie. I have fired 357 Magnum snubbies and the recoil hurt, and the muzzle blast was apocalyptic.

I have lots of snubbies, many Colt Detective Specials, got them when Police Agencies were turning in 38's for 9mm.



the Police Positive came before the Detective Special, and the DS is a two inch Colt Police Positive.



the Colt PP was a common law enforcement sidearm arm, primarity due to its weight. It is a very light weight pistol, but the recoil is not bad.

this has to be my favorite "carry" pistol. No hammer to snag, double action only and very light. Pretty fool proof. And in 38 Special.



going retro





when this got down to $250, I had to buy one, to have as a "truck gun"



of course,gotta get it dirty





And, as hard as it is to shoot, because of the short sight radius, it is plenty accurate for a self defense pistol



The 38 Special was always noted for its accuracy. Just it is not a big boomer, or heavy recoiler, but then, that is just great for a target pistol. You don't need power to punch holes in paper.

This one, was a highly regarded target pistol, post WW2. It was a commonly used pistol in 2700 Bullseye pistol, and I purchased it from a Bullseye competitor.



only seven yards, but if I could see the irons at distance, I am certain it could hold the X ring at 25 yards.



I think we all go through magnum phases. I used to shoot 44 Magnums till skin on the web of my hand rubbed off. What a joy that was!

I am still plagued by the flinch that developed from that time. I think the older you get, the more you just like putting the bullets where you aimed them, and the big boomers, stay in the safe.

it was fun while it lasted, the clean up took forever

[Donkeypunch0420]

I've got .357's and .38's, and they don't look down on each other. My K38 Masterpiece answers to no one but me.

[stevie]

I have no issues with 38sp. Heck i have as many 38s as 357s. Now my issue is having a S&W 1905 that is 38S&W and did not realize it until i took it home..

[stevie]

Heck i have a S&W 57 that was worked on by mag-na-port. Think the bbl is 3 inches. It bites and loud, can only take shooting a few rounds out of it.

[DanGunner]

[Cowboy T]

If you bought a 38 special handgun; how bummed are you that you can't shoot 357. I'm asking as I consider one; I have 357 firearms (lever and M27's) and really like this 38 special but am wondering how much I'm going to be annoyed that I can't use 357 ammo there?

My Dad had a .38 Special-only J-frame as his carry piece. It is now my wife's carry piece. She's not bummed one bit.

Likewise with me. The S&W Models 10 and 64, which are in .38 Special only, are fine revolvers, and I would recommend one to anyone. The .38 Special round is what we mostly practice with.

What is it? Which model of gun are you looking at?

[eaglemike]

Model 15 is one of my favorites.
I sold a really clean 14 a few years ago to a fellow CG'r when I was fighting cancer. One of those things that can't be replaced.
Nothing wrong with .38 special, a nice one should be treasured!

[tileguy]

i dont get it, why would someone who buys a .38 special be bummed it wont shoot 357 mag. its a .38 special. with that thinking you should be bummed your 357sig pistol wont shoot 357 mag rounds or .38 smith and wesson wont shoot 38 special

[M76]

nothing beats shooting .38 Special wadcutters at the range;
not "bummed" because I have both, .357 is strictly for HD.

IMHO

[FISHNFRANK]

90% of what people shoot through .357s are .38s. I reload and even when I shot 357 I would download it (I reload) about 20% which made it more like a hot .38+P anyway. Full house 357 is fun in 686 sized guns but no fun in mid sized or small revolvers

[DrewN]

nothing beats shooting .38 Special wadcutters at the range;
not "bummed" because I have both, .357 is strictly for HD.

IMHO

I carry wadcutters in my EDC as well, and have for 35 years.

[beerman]

Not at all. Love .38's. I shoot the .38's in my .357 pistols.