Revolver calibers for self defense??

dandyrandy · Jul 3, 2016

Hello everyone this is my first post and I would like to say thank you everybody for reading my post. I hope to make some good friends. I love Smith and Wessons and I especially love the revolvers. I love the history that is involved with all these different guns. I wanted to know what everyone thought of the different revolver calibers there are for self defense. Your experience in shoot ability and accuracy of the different revolver models? The different ammo companies that you like and dislike? For example to start things off Teddy Roosevelt liked the .32 S&W long and recommended it for law enforcement agencies for its accuracy and shoot-ability. Also my less than famous friend recommends the .44 special. I personally like the .38 special. As far as revolvers I like the little S&W snub nose models the best but I hear a lot of people hate the little guys. What are your thoughts? Thanks again!

gunnails · Jul 3, 2016

It's like picking out underwear, what works for you would be uncomfortable for some one else.

If your looking for a bedside weapon most would agree that a shotgun fills that role nicely, if you plan to conceal carry a shotgun won't work.

I'm a fan of the simple controls and functionality of a revolver. Everyone has their thoughts on caliber.

For me if I wanted to conceal carry I would go with a J frame snub in .38 special. For a bedside revolver I would want a heavier gun like a K frame 4" in .38 spcl..

Nothing wrong with the larger calibers.

Twiki357 · Jul 3, 2016

I agree with gunnails. A model 37 in my pocket and a model 15-2 on the nightstand. Standard pressure 38 special 158 grain SWCs.

dandyrandy · Jul 3, 2016

Interesting insight thanks for the info!

Biggfoot44 · Jul 3, 2016

To thoughts for you :

A medium frame revolvers is waaaay easier to gain and maintain the skills to shoot adequately well than a small frame

To achieve acceptable skills with a medium amount of initial training, and maintaining with practice once or twice a year, represents a medium frame 4in bbl revolver shooting .38spl +P . Same power level in a smaller/ lighter gun, or signifigently more power in a full size gun both will require more training and more frequent practice.

steelslaver · Jul 3, 2016

To me perfect is a light weight revolver firing big bullets at a decent velocity. 44 special or 45 acp. I carry a 396.

Some people believe in the J frame 38s, both steel and alloy. Some want a concealed hammer others do not. Now that they are available some chose these in 357 mag. For basic, it is hard to beat the model 36 and its cousins.

Some guys go up a frame size to get another round and love the K frames. Certainly a lot of them out there and a lot of LEOs packed them.

Some guys pack full size guns like short barreled N frames and now they can get them light with the 329 and 325 alloy framed guns.

Now there are the L frames. Bit bigger and stronger than the Ks. My 396 is lighter than a K frame (or steel J frame) and can pack 5 44 specials. Only a dream in K frames.

What ever flavor you like your ice cream at one time or the other S&W made something that would fill the bill.

DD357 · Jul 3, 2016

For home defense nothing beats a carbine; for a CCW I prefer a snub K frame; much easier for me to hit with than a J and still concealable. I also prefer an exposed hammer, especially for reholstering.

epj · Jul 3, 2016

The alloy framed 642 is likely the most popular S&W carry revolver. The factory grips suck, but that is easily remedied. My personal preference is either a Colt Agent, or my 2-1/2" M66. The 66 doesn't get carried much as I have yet to find a comfortable holster for it. Gotta get to work on that. The Agent is almost the same size and weight as an alloy J frame, but carries 6 rounds. Its factory grips also suck. Mine has a hammer shroud, which makes it function much like the Bodyguard.

lrrifleman · Jul 3, 2016

@ dandy,

I can only carry when I am traveling out of my home state. When I carry, and I am carrying a revolver, it is currently my J frame Model 36-6 Chief's Target Special, unless I will be driving long distances, then it is a Colt Trooper MKIII in a shoulder holster. I am working on purchasing a S&W Model 686+ Deluxe 3" for concealed carry. A hundred years ago, the 32 S&W Long was a reasonable choice, but over the years, technology and criminals have changed.

My gun/ammo preferences are:
38 or 357 - Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special loads
380 Mauser HSC - currently Hornady Critical Defense ammo
9mm Luger - Hornady Critical Defense ammo
1911s - currently focusing on either 230gr hardball, 185gr SWC HP, or a load using the Speer 200gr RNHP "flying ash trays".

txcp · Jul 3, 2016

I think a 357 MAG is as good as it gets,WILL SHOOT 38 SPECIALS TO.K and j frames,what;s not to like.But that;s just me.WELCOME DANDYRANDY.

TXCP

JJEH · Jul 3, 2016

dandyrandy said:
Revolver calibers for self defense??

Sometimes I carry my little .38Spl with Buffalo Bore 20D ammo and don't feel uncomfortable.

Old cop · Jul 3, 2016

Another vote for the thirty-eight. I carried one for most of my LEO 30 year career and it saved me on more than one occasion. Like others I would recommend a light weight J frame for carry and a four inch K frame for home protection. One thing, J frames are difficult to shoot accurately absent frequent practice and this is a perishable skill. Plan on some range time and invest in some practice ammo.

Mister X · Jul 3, 2016

My preference is .38 special(usually a +P). The snub nose revolver is an excellent overall self-defense weapon.

Many people recommend limiting the snub revolvers use to carry, but it is a pretty good home defense weapon. When most people think of home defense, they think of "bedside gun", but nearly half of home invasions now occur during the day. Also consider situations where you must move through the home(to children/other family members), investigating a bump in the night, answering the door to a stranger, carrying at home and so on. These things can be done with a larger handgun, however, in terms of extreme-close quarter defense scenarios(contact distance attacks/disarm attempts etc.), there is no more efficient weapon than an enclosed hammer revolver. And yes, ECQ scenarios do routinely occur in home defense scenarios. Engagement distances will be short irregardless. Another advantage of the snub over a larger weapon is it can easily be slipped in a pocket if stepping outside and people are usually more likely to carry it or have it readily available when out or at hone.

A lot of folks recommend a shotgun or carbine/rifle for home defense. They work well if you have taken refuge in a fixed location. The problem is this is only one possible scenario. Long guns are a relatively poor choice in any situation when you must move through the home. Plus, there is no guarantee you'll have ample lead time to retrieve the long gun and get it and yourself into position. Home invasions can unfold extremely quickly and dynamically with intruders gaining access to the home with you being unprepared(relaxing watching TV, eating dinner, fast asleep) impairing your ability to respond. There is nothing wrong with having options, but if getting only one weapon for everything(even if just for home defense), get a handgun.

OKFC05 · Jul 3, 2016

"All other things being equal...." and they never are.
Sure, you can accumulate statistics, but statistics applied to a sample of ONE have a confidence factor of ZERO. (I teach this stuff)
The outcome on the ONE person you shoot is binary: either they stop or they don't.
And sometimes a person absorbs an entire gun full of .45 and has to be clubbed down to get the cuffs on.
The Hatcher experiments 100 years ago concluded a pistol bullet the size of an orange would guarantee one-shot stops, but not much else would.
I read the accounts of the Philippine uprising and the famous failures of the .38 pistols to stop Maori, but was surprised to learn rifle shots in the chest weren't stopping them either!
Sentries were advised to shoot them in the pelvis area with a rifle to try to knock them down before they could reach the sentry with their knives.

So what do I get from all this?
I carry a caliber generally used for defense in a gun I can shoot well, and am mentally prepared to shoot if necessary and keep shooting until the threat is stopped.
I also believe that none of the IDPA time is wasted.

DD357 · Jul 3, 2016

Mister X said:
My preference is .38 special(usually a +P). The snub nose revolver is an excellent overall self-defense weapon.

Many people recommend limiting the snub revolvers use to carry, but it is a pretty good home defense weapon. When most people think of home defense, they think of "bedside gun", but nearly half of home invasions now occur during the day. Also consider situations where you must move through the home(to children/other family members), investigating a bump in the night, answering the door to a stranger, carrying at home and so on. These things can be done with a larger handgun, however, in terms of extreme-close quarter defense scenarios(contact distance attacks/disarm attempts etc.), there is no more efficient weapon than an enclosed hammer revolver. And yes, ECQ scenarios do routinely occur in home defense scenarios. Engagement distances will be short irregardless. Another advantage of the snub over a larger weapon is it can easily be slipped in a pocket if stepping outside and people are usually more likely to carry it or have it readily available when out or at hone.

A lot of folks recommend a shotgun or carbine/rifle for home defense. They work well if you have taken refuge in a fixed location. The problem is this is only one possible scenario. Long guns are a relatively poor choice in any situation when you must move through the home. Plus, there is no guarantee you'll have ample lead time to retrieve the long gun and get it and yourself into position. Home invasions can unfold extremely quickly and dynamically with intruders gaining access to the home with you being unprepared(relaxing watching TV, eating dinner, fast asleep) impairing your ability to respond. There is nothing wrong with having options, but if getting only one weapon for everything(even if just for home defense), get a handgun.

With a proper sling and carbine weapon retention is not an issue. Like everything get good training.

P-229 · Jul 3, 2016

I'm a bigger is better guy. If one hole is good, two have gotta be better; hence, I like through-and-through wounds that cause a big hole going in and a big hole going out.

Considering that most deadly force encounters occur at ~10 feet, not getting shot is more important that hitting a bad guy. Never trade you life for a bad guy's life.

A .38 Special loaded with the FBI load will work a lot better than most. In my opinion, the 1911 in .45 ACP sits alone at the pinnacle of self-defense handguns. I know others will see it differently. I'm good. They know what's right for them, not me.

Especially with revolvers, bigger cartridges; e.g., .45 Colt require big guns that aren't fun to carry while walking around Disneyland all day.

YeshuaIsa53 · Jul 3, 2016

Whatever floats your boat.

MichiganScott · Jul 3, 2016

Biggfoot44 said:
To achieve acceptable skills with a medium amount of initial training, and maintaining with practice once or twice a year, represents a medium frame 4in bbl revolver shooting .38spl +P . Same power level in a smaller/ lighter gun, or signifigently more power in a full size gun both will require more training and more frequent practice.

First time I've even seen anyone recommend once a year practice to retain competency. I've seen way too many people over the years that have a hard time figuring out which end of the gun the bullet comes out of to believe that once or twice a year is sufficient.

I can no longer see the front sight well enough to be able to use them well. I practice point shooting a couple of times a month just to maintain any sort of proficiency and can actually shoot smaller groups out to ten yards than I can using the sights.

I've shot DA revolvers double action since the early 1970's and they are nowhere as easy as a SA semi-auto to shoot proficiently. I do prefer the point and shoot interface of DA revolvers for non-gun people and for those shooters unwilling to devote the time needed to learn the manual of arms for a SA semi-auto. That's one of the reasons why Glock's and S&W M&P's sell so well to first time shooters.

Back to the OP's question; because of my job and required attire I carry a 642 in a Mika pocket holster and a speed strip in my offhand rear pocket loaded with 158gr +P SWCHP. I used to keep a Model 28 for a bedside gun with hot .357 JHP's, but I've since resorted to a 9mm of some flavor in every room of the house, save the shower.

FWIW, even the old third generation Smith's have the safety in the off position so there is nothing to do but point and shoot. Our adult children have moved out and we get plenty of warning for when the grandkids show up.

Muley Gil · Jul 3, 2016

"For example to start things off Teddy Roosevelt liked the .32 S&W long and recommended it for law enforcement agencies for its accuracy and shoot-ability."

What I read, many years ago, was that when TR became the NYPD commissioner, the officers were using everything from .22 RF short to .45 Colt. He picked a .32 caliber Colt revolver as a weapon that all of his officers could handle.

cowboy4evr · Jul 3, 2016

Lets remember , there is a difference between 38 S&W and 38 S&W special. The " special " is the result of the 38 S&W .
My personal experience w/J-frame ( aluminum) snubbie is that I found the only weight bullet that fired " point of aim -- point of impact " in factory loads was the 110 gr. JHP . Our tests included a ruger LCR as well . All snubbies shot accurately with the 110 gr factory loads . Every snubby tested shot 6-10" high @ 30 yds using the popular 158gr factory load .
My personal 642 was fired so much using +P loads that I had to send it back to the factory . It was very very loose in lockup and cylinder rotation .
I have carried my 642 for years and feel comfortable with it . A lot of attacks , home invasion / gas station attacks are @ close range . A lot of bad guys are taking a " dirt nap " because of the 38 special , even from snubbies . Your tests/results may vary from mine .

Revolver calibers for self defense??

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