Well there is this:

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

I don't always EDC but when I do it's my Glock 27 .40 S&W. Makes me feel like I have a viable plan B in case my plan A (never having to use it) falls apart.

My plan C is a Redhead.

You do know what the E in EDC stands for right?

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Retired Career Security Guard

Yes, yes I do. That was humor.

Back to the OP's original question. I've argued for years, based on data on real world shoots that the .38 Special fired from a 4" revolver is a bit more effective than a .380 ACP. However in a 2" barrel, a .380 ACP in a 3.5" barrel has a slight edge.

So the question comes down to how comfortable you'd be carrying a .380 ACP? I'm more comfortable carrying a 7 or 8 round .380 ACP as a back up than I am a 5 round 1 7/8" Model 36 or a 6 round 2" Model 10.

However, my primary carry will be a 6 or 7 shot K or L frame 2 1/2" or 3" revolver with a 125 gr .357 Mag hollow point, or a 10 to 15 round 9mm with 115 gr Hollow points.

The data is clear that the .357 Magnum is better than the the .38 Special. We can argue about how much better the .357 Mag is and argue about how much ground the .38+P gains over the standard pressure .38 Special, but the fact remains that the .357 Magnum is incontrovertibly "better".

In addition, once you get to the .357 Magnum level of performance, the data also shows that nothing larger performs any better in the real world shoots.

So...

1) I agree with the OP to a point that a 2" magnum handgun LARGER than a .357 Magnum is overkill.

2) But I disagree with the OP that the .357 is overkill, or that a 2" .38 Special, even with +P loads, is a better choice than a 2 1/2" or 3" .357 Magnum.

But that's just me, because I shoot 2 1/2" and 3" .357 K and L frame revolvers really well. I will add the caveat that shot placement is key in a self defense shoot and that the best choice for concealed carry will be a handgun that you shoot really well. If that means a 1 7/8" Model 36, or a 2.125" Model 60 with standard pressure .38s then so be it.



I'll also add that a lot of people make poor choices in the form of a J Magnum frame .357 like a Model 60 or Model 640 with .357 Magnum loads - when they don't shoot that revolver with those loads very well,or often enough to master that combination or stay current with it.

These are almost always the same shooters who do not believe in using sights in a self defense shoot and/or who don't think snub nose revolvers are capable of any kind of decent accuracy. Consequently, they just point it in the general direction of the threat and start jerking the trigger.

That'll work fine in the 90% or so of defensive handgun uses cases where just pulling a gun is sufficient without firing it.

However it won't be sufficient in the 50% or so cases where the gun is fired, the assailant is hit, and then stops just because he's been stopped (a psychological stop). Why won't it be sufficient? Because you need to hit the assailant first. In this case, the OP is 100% correct that a .38 Special would be just as effective. In fact a hit with a .38 is way more effective than a miss with a .357 Magnum.

Always a .38 for me whether a cobra, dick special, 442 or model 36 3 inch. I never feel that I am undergunned or unable to protect myself.

It really comes down to what you can handle, and shoot the best. That being said you best be concerned about what a potential round is going to do if it exits the intended target. I have hunted white tail deer with a Marlin 1894 chambered in .357 magnum using a 180 solid point bullet on a broad side shot right behind the shoulder the bullet would usually destroy both lungs, and the heart too then it would stop just shy of exiting the skin on the opposite side. I usually cought some flack from other hunters for not using enough gun. Funny thing the deer never went more than 50 yards before piling up. I do realize this is a rifle, and a 2 inch revolver will give lower velocities, but with a proper expanding bullet I would expect a similar result on a 2 legged target. Ideally every live target we shot would have the bullet completely go through and literally drop out on the opposite side this would be the most efficient use of any rounds power completely expending all of its energy into the target. I carry what I am confident in, and practice shooting once a week with something even if it is the lowly 22lr. Practice is far more important than your caliber choice as they say a hit with a 22 is better than a miss with...well you fill in the blank. Sorry for the long reply lol.

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Randy