another 38 caliber thread

[drpepper]

ive been practicing with my ruger lcr 38 to subsitute for my 9mm as my ccw.
i have seen all the police studies of round stopping power and yes 38 special has put down alot of bad guys. then i read this recent story. and good job for husband and wife keeping it together and reinforces that the police will most likely not make it in time to help. the mom put 5 rounds of 38 in the bad guy. supposedly 4 torso and 1 to the face! and he was still able to get in his suv and drive away. i dont know if she had plus p rounds or wwb but still makes me wonder if i should switch from 9mm(10 rd) to 5 shot ruger 38. Yes shot placement is key but it looks like she did her job. thoughts?

http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/10/us/home-invasion-gun-rights/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1

[esartori]

Interesting article. My questions for you is why switch from 9MM? You can carry more rounds for similar ballistics. At the end of the day, handgun ballistics do not differ enough (unless barriers or other objects are introduced) to warrant switching. I think you should work on which one you can get the most rounds on target with, and quickly, under stress. If your skill and comfort is similar with both guns, then the next factor should be capacity.

[drpepper]

Wanted a pocket gun that I could fire without slide getting caught up. In addition the ruger is lighter than xd subcompact I am using. Those were the main reasons being able to fire from pocket of jacket without taking out gun.

[esartori]

Wanted a pocket gun that I could fire without slide getting caught up. In addition the ruger is lighter than xd subcompact I am using. Those were the main reasons being able to fire from pocket of jacket without taking out gun.

I will be honest, I have never heard anyone recommend firing from a pocket, and especially not 5 rounds like in the story linked above. You won't be able to aim at all. BUT if pocket carry is what you want and you have a concealed carry permit, then I guess the smaller, lighter revolvers do shine. I know they make some pocket holsters for them as well. However, I recommend getting some training for the situations you feel like you will encounter.

[drpepper]

ha true i dont plan on firing from pocket but sometimes situations come up ie robbery/mugging where one minute someone is talking and the next thing is a robbery. dont always have time to take out and aim. the pocket scenario is more face to face instant situation type of thing. yeah i will have to put on an old jacket and see how it works out.
i will have to check out pocket holster but will have to retain the ability to fire from the pocket. if you see a guy in california walking around with his pockets blown out it might be me

[J.D.Allen]

The .38 spl. is just fine for defensive use. Just like the 9mm or any other standard defensive handgun round, you need to get ammo that gives you certain characeristics. For a snubby .38 the best ammo I'm aware of is the Speer Gold Dot 135 gr. +P JHP. It's designed to be fired out of short barrels and like most Gold Dot loads has excellent terminal ballistic properties.

Here's a good video on that load

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k890Rio2oBY

[drpepper]

The .38 spl. is just fine for defensive use. Just like the 9mm or any other standard defensive handgun round, you need to get ammo that gives you certain characeristics. For a snubby .38 the best ammo I'm aware of is the Speer Gold Dot 135 gr. +P JHP. It's designed to be fired out of short barrels and like most Gold Dot loads has excellent terminal ballistic properties.

Here's a good video on that load

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k890Rio2oBY

thx. ill pick up a couple boxes and check it out

[Red Devil]

This...

Rule 25. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with a "4."

- USMC Rules for Gunfighting -

P.S. +1 on the Speer Gold Dot 135 gr. +P JHP., both in .38 and .357 mag..

[rsmorgan]

Like any handgun round, shot placement and ammo choice is critical with the .38Spl with the added problem of some really antiquated ammo designs out there. "Failure to stop" is symptomatic of the FMJ and RN in .38Spl but outcomes can be significantly improved with a wadcutter, semi-wadcutter or first-class expanding bullet.

In terms of ballistic performance (penetration and expansion), Hornady's Critical Defense .38 loads, including the non-+P option, just about match the Gold Dot's and recoil from the non-+P load is far more manageable in a lightweight snubby.