Will an old S&W 38 special revolver do for home defense?

[Hello86]

I would like to know your experts opinion on the matter. Do you think that an old 38 special S&W revolver, say from the 60s-70s or so (Model 10, 15, 67 and similar), is sufficient for home defense today in 2022? Or is outdated for that purpose?

I have learned that the police started using the more powerful 357 magnum, among other things, because newer cars became thicker and they needed more powerful ammunition to be able to shoot through cars to stop criminals and similar situations. And that civilians after marketing followed the police and started buying 357 magnum to a greater extent than 38 special.

But civilians who are not police and are not chasing criminals or have to shoot through thick cars and similar situations, would you say the 38 special is still a good option for home defense? Are they powerful enough for the common cases?

I'm thinking that lower recoil, being able to hit the target faster multiple times, and less risk of over-penetration and hurting innocents, seem like big advantages to using the 38 special. Also, don't be blinded by the flash in the middle of the night, and don't destroy ones hearing, with the thunderous bang of the 357 magnum indoors. And 38 special is cheaper ammunition, etc.

Whereas the advantage of the 357 is that it is more powerful and does more damage to the threat.

But is 357 overkill for civilians? Is it really necessary? If 38 special worked for the police to stop thousands of criminals in the past, then they should be sufficient as defensive weapons for ordinary civilians today in ordinary situations, or what do you think?

Perhaps there is also someone here who worked as a police officer at the time and has their own or others' experiences to confirm or deny regarding the 38 special as a home defense weapon?

Thanks.

 

[Breakaway500]

Unless you are expecting an invasion a 38 special is more than adequate for home defense.Practice with it and keep it handy.

 

[John Patrick]

Plenty adequate. Load it with +P ammunition.

The 357 magnum sitting next to my bed is loaded with 38spl +P ammunition. And I’ll be carrying a 38spl loaded with + P today.

FWIW, Speer 135gr 38spl + P Short Barrel is an excellent choice, whether your barrel is 2”, 2 1/2”, 3” or 4”.

And Buffalo Bore’s 38spl +P 158gr SWCHP-GC ammunition is closer to light 357 ammo than standard 38. More powerful than +P 9mm ammunition.

 

[chief38]

Wow…… I must really be getting old! When you said old revolver I was thinking pre WWll. The stamped model revolvers (1957 and up) would make excellent HD guns loaded with potent ammunition. I too agree with John Patrick on his ammo of choice and wound recommend using it as well.

The one thing that a high capacity pistol would offer would be more rounds in the gun. For HD many use their hand gun as back up for a 12 Ga. shotgun.

ADDED:
I do like the .357 magnum round however for inside a house in a residential area it is just too likely to over penetrate - especially if it is a miss. If you live in a very rural and secluded setting, no others around and no one else in the house, I could see it - however your hearing will be hurt from the excessive noise the magnum produces. You will also have slower follow up shots if needed and you might be temporarily blinded from bright muzzle blast. All in all, not the best choice for inside a house.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The 38 Special went out of fashion, that is not the same as being found ineffective. Bill Jordan said it is the most powerful round the average man-i.e. most of us-can hope to master. Practice, practice, practice, proper fitting grips-the combat mindset-you will do OK. Only caution is that if you use a "vintage"-i.e., collectible/desireable handgun for home defense and it is taken as "evidence" you will be crying the blues.

 

[jeeps]

Sleep tight and do not worry it's enough and fear not it will do it's job as always.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Cars were once thicker. They're not now.

An assailant could be said to be having a bad day upon being shot with a ..38 Special revolver. Factor in an intelligent selection of .38 Special ammunition and accurate shot placement and an assailant's bad day becomes worse.

 

[REVCHARLIE]

I would take any S&W 38 Special Revolver for home defense. Even loaded with Wadcutters it will do the job!

 

[lihpster]

If the ghost of Patrick Swayze shouts "Wolverines!" in your ear, you might be undergunned.

If you're following Ripley into the nursery, you might be undergunned.

If you're Mr. Wick, you might be undergunned.

But, seriously, barring cinematic invasion scenarios and rampaging hitmen, a K frame .38 is a fine choice for the job. I have 6 myself and would trust my life to any of them. In fact, I have.

 

[Retired W4]

I think the OP answered his own question by covering most of the positive and negative aspects of the 38 Special/357 Magnum. We keep a couple 38s handy in the house loaded with the "old" Remington police load, which look like a lead semi-wad cutter with a hollow point. The wife's Model 49 in her car is loaded with non +P Hornady JHP. I pity the fool if she points it at him. I doubt she would need the 5 or 6 rounds available.

 

[gwpercle]

A 1960's - 1970's S&W 38 Special Revolver is just about the best thing you can have for home defense .
Simple to use , no slide racking , safety , magazine/clip , feeding issues . Load six rounds and it's ready for action ...
Pick it up ... Pull Trigger .
All of my S&W's , except one , are 60's -70's vintage ...
My main home defense a S&W model 64 , stainless steel , 38 special ... I would call it perfect for the job and it's fun to shoot ! I shoot it often with Target Wadcutter ammo ... fun-fun-fun !
Gary

 

[Bekeart]

A hit with a 38 beats a miss with a 357!

A hit with a 38 beats a miss with a 357!

This is a rephrasing of a comment heard long ago at a shop in Springdale Arkansas.
Unofficial habitat of local loafers and liars club.
Long time Northwest Arkansas resident members will likely remember the shop.

Quoting: ANY hit with a 22 beats a miss with a 155.

Local National Guard unit had 155s.

Bekeart

Close only counts with Horseshoes and Hand Grenades

 

[BAM-BAM]

Yes,
I've given my wife a 4" Model 15 and a 2" round butt Model 10 for her "home defense" guns.

No one likes to be shot with anything..... .38 special is good to go w/ hollowpoint ammo ..... +P is even better!

 

[gmborkovic]

I would bet that every member on this Forum has at least one Mod-10
tucked in the house, shop, car or truck.

 

[Old cop]

FWIW I was forced to use my issued .38 more than once during my career and it worked just fine. My former service gun, a Model 10 snub, has been in my nightstand for years. If it’s an older gun have it checked by a competent gunsmith, then get some training to ensure safe & accurate handling.

 

[jcelect]

The OP stated, "for home defense"! Inside a home you must be aware of over penetration of the rounds that missed the target! An interior wall will not stop a 38 Special round and it will probably go thought an outer wall, depending on how the wall is constructed! This means other people in your home are in danger of being hit by one of your misses! Another scenario is a round that hits a window! What is on the other side of the window to stop that round. A 357 Mag gives you more penetration power! My home defense gun is a 38 Spl revolver with a shotshell round being the first round fired.
jcelect

 

[Retired W4]

A hit with a 38 beats a miss with a 357!

This is a rephrasing of a comment heard long ago at a shop in Springdale Arkansas.
Unofficial habitat of local loafers and liars club.
Long time Northwest Arkansas resident members will likely remember the shop.



Local National Guard unit had 155s.

Bekeart

Close only counts in horse shoes and howitzers, and maybe a few other things.

 

[Jim Watson]

Good .38 ammunition - I like the lead hollow point, too - is adequate.

The challenge is that while the revolver is simple to operate, double action shooting calls for more attention to technique and practice.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Don’t have a 10, but have a 642 in my SUV and a 66 and 649 in my Bedroom.

 

[jcelect]

Good .38 ammunition - I like the lead hollow point, too - is adequate.

The challenge is that while the revolver is simple to operate, double action shooting calls for more attention to technique and practice.

That is 100% correct! That is why, in the dark of the night, we should be more concerned about missed rounds! It is called point shooting, not aimed fire!
jcelect