Recoil control on a nice, sunny range day is one thing. It could be quite another in a self defense scenario while suffering a broken wrist or collar bone after being blindsided and knocked to the ground. Yes, there are plenty of people who can shoot .357 out of a small revolver like a boss, but no matter how well they shoot it, you can bet they shoot .38 better. For myself, I want to carry something that I can shoot confidently on my worst day ever because if I ever have to shoot in self defense, it likely will be.