.38 special lov'em?

[Halfey]

I'm looking at snub wheel guns. from what i see (if I'm correct) most people aren't 100% convinced that the .38 (even in +P hollow-points) is the best choice for stopping power in this category.

On the other hand you have the .357 mag. In a snub j frame size revolver the .357 can be a lot to handle. no, I'm not afraid of recoil. I'm more concerned about re-acquisition of the target for fallow up shots. 1 hit with a .38 is better than 5 misses with a .357.

Having considered the above what do those of you that have experience with both think? if i can get away with a .38 im all for that. i know that it's all about shot placement, but we can all imagine how fundamentals can go out the window in a life or death situation.

Thanks

[mayo 111]

I personally think .38 special is sufficient. if you feel more confident with your shooting abilities in .38 than in .357 that should be what matters

[Turo]

I would consider 38 Special in a +p or higher load decent enough to stop an attacker. A few people I know carry 38 specials exclusively, and they aren't concerned about not having enough firepower.

That said, when given the choice between 357 mag and 38 special, I will always choose the 357. Why? For the simple fact that I can shoot relatively hot 38 specials in it with reduced recoil if needed, but also have the option to load full power 357 magnums when I like.

If I were you, I would get the 357. Shoot some full power 357 mags through it, some light 357mags, some hot 38 special +p+ rounds, 38 special +p, and some regular 38 specials. Pick the most powerful load you can shoot the quickest and most accurately with and stick with that.

357 mag is a beautiful round, and a proven man stopper. 38 can also do the job. Choose what feels best to you.

[epcii]

The recoil in my S&W 442 in .38 is manageable enough for follow-up shots, even with +P's. Dead accurate, too. Go with what you can manage best. Placement > recoil.

[dousan]

Yes
Love both!
From this past weekend

[Halfey]

I personally think .38 special is sufficient. if you feel more confident with your shooting abilities in .38 than in .357 that should be what matters

thanks for the reply. i feel confident with both, but can get aimed shots off faster with the .38 (who couldn't)

I'm just wondering if the .357 would come in handy for those less the perfect high stress shots, but I don't want to buy a Ferrari when a bicycle will sefice...if you know what i mean.

[Andy Taylor]

IMHO .357 looses a lot of it's advantage in a short barrel. Not all, but a lot of it. This can be mitigated somewhat with load selection. But, It also gains recoil, muzzle flash, and noise.

If the gun has less than 3" of barrel, I see no point in using magnums. Some people feel differently.

I have 3 revolvers on my CCW, a 2" .38, a 3" and a 4" .357. The .38 is carried with .38s, obviously, the longer guns are carried with magnums. I have good ammo in each, and don't feel undergunned even when I only ave the .38.

[Brd_Hntr]

38 Special +P 158 grain lead hollow point semi-wadcutter available from all the big ammuntion companies. I am partial to Winchester Super X, but I doubt there is a tremendous difference between the major brands. In other words if all I could get was the equivelent Remington or Federal I wouldn't be shy about using it.

This load will shoot to point of aim from my model 36 and model 63. I wouldn't use them extensively in a gun not rated for plus P ammunition, so practice with standard 158 grain lead. I consider these very reasonable with respect to recoil and follow up shots.

[scarville]

IMHO .357 looses a lot of it's advantage in a short barrel. Not all, but a lot of it. This can be mitigated somewhat with load selection. But, It also gains recoil, muzzle flash, and noise.

If the gun has less than 3" of barrel, I see no point in using magnums. Some people feel differently.

I have 3 revolvers on my CCW, a 2" .38, a 3" and a 4" .357. The .38 is carried with .38s, obviously, the longer guns are carried with magnums. I have good ammo in each, and don't feel undergunned even when I only have the .38.

There are boutique manufacturers who make 357 ammo optimized for short barrels. The only one I've ever tried is the Buffalo Bore 19E (158 gr JHP) which produced about 1160 fps from my 686 w/3" bbl. Flash and noise were not nearly as bad as I anticipated.

38 Special +P 158 grain lead hollow point semi-wadcutter available from all the big ammuntion companies. I am partial to Winchester Super X, but I doubt there is a tremendous difference between the major brands. In other words if all I could get was the equivelent Remington or Federal I wouldn't be shy about using it.

I normally carry Federal 38G (38 +P 158 gr SWCHP) in the K and L frames guns. In the J-frame I still use the 125 gr nyclad. This is mostly because I got a good deal on 500 rounds of each a few years back and it's not something I will shoot up quickly.

[Cokebottle]

On the other hand you have the .357 mag. In a snub j frame size revolver the .357 can be a lot to handle. no, I'm not afraid of recoil. I'm more concerned about re-acquisition of the target for fallow up shots. 1 hit with a .38 is better than 5 misses with a .357.

But recoil is going to impact your follow-up shots, therefore, that should be rephrased to "2 hits with a .38 is better than 1 with a .357"

But seriously, the .38 or +P, even in a snubbie, will get the job done just fine. Speer makes a 135gr Gold-Dot JHP+P that was designed for snubbies and gets another 150-200fps over their 125gr or the Federal HST.

But the secret on both is to not be lured by a "lightweight", "Airweight", "Ultralight", etc.... The Ruger LCR is about 14oz and it is simply too light. Recoil didn't bother me, and target reacquisition was decent, but the muzzle flip hurt my trigger finger from the trigger guard hitting it. I sold it to a friend who was looking for a BUG.

The Ruger SP101 is more comfortable firing .357 than the LCR was firing .38spl.

Another thing to keep in mind... Firing a .357 in a home-defense situation without hearing protection is going to hurt... badly.

[FeuerFrei]

I'm looking at snub wheel guns. from what i see (if I'm correct) most people aren't 100% convinced that the .38 (even in +P hollow-points) is the best choice for stopping power in this category.

On the other hand you have the .357 mag. In a snub j frame size revolver the .357 can be a lot to handle. no, I'm not afraid of recoil. I'm more concerned about re-acquisition of the target for fallow up shots. 1 hit with a .38 is better than 5 misses with a .357.

Having considered the above what do those of you that have experience with both think? if i can get away with a .38 im all for that. i know that it's all about shot placement, but we can all imagine how fundamentals can go out the window in a life or death situation.

Thanks

38 spcl will be fine. There a lot of good defensive rounds made by top manufacturers now days.
I don't see an advantage shooting a 357 out of a 2" barrel. Muzzle blast/flash can affect sight picture for follow up shots too.
No magic here. Carry what you are comfortable with (if ccw) and learn how to point shoot. Remember you are in a defensive mode. You want the threat to stop. That's it. 38 will work.

[themailman]

Ive got a SW 642 in jail as we speak. 38 +p is good to go.

[paul0660]

Anybody shot anybody?

Me neither. If I have to, I am not going to worry about recoil, follow up, hearing, and muzzle flash. But I only have a .38. Can I test it on you?

[otteray]

Yeah, I wouldn't want to stand in front of a muzzle of a stubby 38 special, that's for sure.
Got a 642 for around the house in my cargo or Bermuda shorts, especially on these warm summer evenings.

[almaster666]

Police all over the US used 38 specials for decades, it's a proven cartridge.