I recommend going out and shooting some .38 Special, some +P, and some .357 Magnums in your K-frame. The .357 is an entirely different animal. You decide.
Will an old S&W 38 special revolver do for home defense?
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PauldL
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It's what I use with Underwood 100gr Defenders
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Your model 10 will do just fine.....
Ranger514
Member
Yoou mean the 19th or 20th century?
amarin
US Veteran
My two cents worth: in consideration of the type of round +P ammunition is sufficient for Home Defense and won't hurt the gun given you are firing 5 or 6 rounds not 600.
Secondly, if you have ever been in a shooting, the sound of the 357 vs 38 makes no difference - it is a proven fact that your senses shut down except those needed to survive.
I fired two 357 rounds at night and never heard them and did not have a ringing in my ears afterwards. Furthermore, as anyone who has served in combat can tell you the same thing, shooting without hearing protection is only an issue at the range, not in a scenario.
Certainly, learn the safeties involved in gun usage for home security and know your target and what is behind it. Does not matter if velocity of the round is high or not, can it hurt someone else in the home if you miss?
Like I mention, these are my two cents worth and not intended to insult or argue any position of anyone else.
Al
Secondly, if you have ever been in a shooting, the sound of the 357 vs 38 makes no difference - it is a proven fact that your senses shut down except those needed to survive.
I fired two 357 rounds at night and never heard them and did not have a ringing in my ears afterwards. Furthermore, as anyone who has served in combat can tell you the same thing, shooting without hearing protection is only an issue at the range, not in a scenario.
Certainly, learn the safeties involved in gun usage for home security and know your target and what is behind it. Does not matter if velocity of the round is high or not, can it hurt someone else in the home if you miss?
Like I mention, these are my two cents worth and not intended to insult or argue any position of anyone else.
Al
38SPL HV
Member
There’s people who even use a 22 lr auto for home defense.
I prefer using a Riddel suspension helmet from my old college football days but it’s webbing is in need of repair it’s so old!
I prefer using a Riddel suspension helmet from my old college football days but it’s webbing is in need of repair it’s so old!
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Back in about 1972, my uncle and I were going through the Smith & Wesson section of the latest Sa-So catalog. Recalling his Naval service with the Shore Patrol, he stopped on the 4-inch standard barrel version of the Model 10, but in Stainless Steel, called the Model 64, and said, “this is all you need.” Fifty years later, I still agree. Attached is not from the Sa-So catalog, but you get the idea.
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7shooter
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My handy home defense handguns are 3 and 4 inch Model 64s loaded with wad cutters .
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fatcat3
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Yes the 38 is sufficient. JMHO any handgun of any caliber is used only for cover to get you to your long gun. A long gun for home defense? Yes, I'm not clearing the house, garage, barn, what not. I'm getting my loved one in one place and defending that AO. I hate thieves, looters, home invaders, etal. but I will let trouble come to me and not go looking for it. YMMV
crstrode
Member
There - fixed it for you.
We were issued the “FBI Load”, a 158 grain +P lead hollow point, and it worked. I’m not a fan of .357 in close quarters due to the chance of over penetration, chance of injury to innocent persons & more pronounced recoil. I’m not sure about the difference between standard pressure and +P so maybe someone else can weigh in here to help.
Pointblank2U
US Veteran
I was an LEO from 1975 to 2007. My first duty weapon was a Model 28 Highway Patrolman. After we transitioned to the 66 we went to 38 +P. Nobody really wanted to use hot 357s under stress when we only got to qualify once or twice a year. I never heard of +Ps being inadequate.
shil
Member
I still have trouble believing +p gains one much. Load your revolver with standard-pressure ammunition, IMHO lead semi-wadcutters, practice with it, and be confident.
Skimming through the above posts, I have the following comments assuming you're talking about a used revolver that has model numbers:
1. Back in the early 1980's the S&W Academy did a study and discovered that above the .38 Spl/9 mm recoil level, accuracy and speed of fire suffered. Decades as a handgun instructor-LE included-suggests they have a point. Especially for those who do not train rigorously. Where YOU put the bullet is far more important than any other factor.
2. The item in question has neither been abused nor "improved" by Bubba the would be revolver smith. Some Bubbas actually have places of business. That is, it's in good mechanical condition and meets factory specs.
3. It's safe to use with +P ammo. The original .38 Spl was a black powder cartridge and firearms steels have changed greatly since 1899. Hollow point/jacketed hollow points are the preferred defensive ammo. Please be aware that the interior walls of your house aren't going to stop any bullets. My personal preference in .38 Spl is 125 gr +P JHP. Speer/Federal/Remington in no particular order.
BTW, my copy of the SAAMI pressure limits for loaded ammunition give the standard pressure .38 Spl MAP as 17,000 CUP, +P at 20,000 CUP. The piezo electric measured limits are 17,000 psi for standard and 18,500 psi for +P. That doesn't mean each and every round is loaded to that pressure. The factories are generally loading to a velocity range at pressures at or below the limits.
1. Back in the early 1980's the S&W Academy did a study and discovered that above the .38 Spl/9 mm recoil level, accuracy and speed of fire suffered. Decades as a handgun instructor-LE included-suggests they have a point. Especially for those who do not train rigorously. Where YOU put the bullet is far more important than any other factor.
2. The item in question has neither been abused nor "improved" by Bubba the would be revolver smith. Some Bubbas actually have places of business. That is, it's in good mechanical condition and meets factory specs.
3. It's safe to use with +P ammo. The original .38 Spl was a black powder cartridge and firearms steels have changed greatly since 1899. Hollow point/jacketed hollow points are the preferred defensive ammo. Please be aware that the interior walls of your house aren't going to stop any bullets. My personal preference in .38 Spl is 125 gr +P JHP. Speer/Federal/Remington in no particular order.
BTW, my copy of the SAAMI pressure limits for loaded ammunition give the standard pressure .38 Spl MAP as 17,000 CUP, +P at 20,000 CUP. The piezo electric measured limits are 17,000 psi for standard and 18,500 psi for +P. That doesn't mean each and every round is loaded to that pressure. The factories are generally loading to a velocity range at pressures at or below the limits.
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PauldL
Member
Until I found Underwood Extreme Defenders, I always carried .38 +p jhp in model 19-3
The .38 +p jhp is a fine round imo.
The .38 +p jhp is a fine round imo.
I only say, why wouldn’t a 38sp be adequate for HD or SD? There isn’t much difference between a 38sp & 9mm to argue over.
AJ
US Veteran
Just for something to do..........!
smoothshooter
Member
Any caliber will work fine.
That “ old “ revolver will still be working just fine 100 years from now.
Nobody wants to get shot with anything.
That “ old “ revolver will still be working just fine 100 years from now.
Nobody wants to get shot with anything.
smoothshooter
Member
The .38 has better bullets, and more variety to choose from.
Works better with marginal bullets than 9mm.
Baltimoreed11754
Member
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