5 Shot Snubby of CCW?

[Dump1567]

First off, I'm not trying to offend anyone or ruffle any feathers. Everyone is free to carry whatever they wish or feel comfortable with. I worked with several cops over the years that only carried a J frame or .380 and no re-load for it.

I own 3 J frames and several other wheel guns. In fact, my house carry is a 5 shot S&W 340 in .38 spl (see below). It's light enough to wear tucked into the waistband of draw sting elastic waist shorts. I also have quick access to larger/higher capacity guns near by.

But with that said, when I go out into the world, I almost feel naked if I don't have at least 8 rounds in the gun (preferably 10 or more) & a re-load.

For those that just carry a 5 shot, why do you feel that's enough gun in today's crazy world? In most of the real life videos I've seen, 5 rounds just doesn't seem enough. Nor is there time for a reload. Sorry if I'm stepping on any toes, just trying to understand.

 

[Mister X]

I feel 5 shots is enough because I have common sense and every statistic I've ever seen on the subject as well as the hundreds, if not thousands of video footage of actual encounters I've watched indicate that 5 round is almost assuredly sufficient. The potential for it not being so is there, but so is the potential for a higher capacity autoloader malfunctioning, especially in a ECQ scenario, which is much more likely than a high round shoot-out for a civilian.

What are these "real life videos" you've watched where 5 rounds wasn't enough?

 

[petepeterson]

Considering the speed and violence of a home invasion, why do you feel 5 rds is enough in your house?

Why is 8 the right number? Or 10? Or 20?

Everything is somewhat of a compromise, short of an A-10 Warthog.

 

[Andy Lowry]

For home protection, I have a 12-gauge. Out and about, it's either a K6 or a 640. I prefer the advantages a revolver give me, like simplicity and reliability.

 

[Cal44]

Well, I think the world I live in (as a retired computer engineer) is a lot different than the situation faced by a police officer.

I don't get involved stopping crimes that don't involve me or my wife, I don't arrest bad guys.

If I see a problem I run away from it. If an officer sees a problem he runs towards it.

So I think 5 rounds can stop a mugging at an ATM (for example).

Frankly, I'm thinking the opposite from you in that I think I might need more rounds if my home is invaded by multiple bad guys.

I'm considering keeping something with 8 or more rounds on me at home. Or perhaps two J frames.

 

[Dump1567]

What are these "real life videos" you've watched where 5 rounds wasn't enough?

The one that comes to mind is the mother & daughter liquor store shooting (and other convenient store shootings). A home invasion video. I've also read/seen video's about multiple armed thug scenarios.

Based on some of the responses, this is why I've been hesitant to ask this question. But I do appreciate them. My goal isn't to change anyone's thoughts, just understand better.

As for me, I accept my J frame limitations while at home. But it's also based on my current home security set-up (cameras, barricaded front door, neighborhood, etc.).

 

[Double-O-Dave]

"For those that just carry a 5 shot, why do you feel that's enough gun in today's crazy world?"

What an interesting question. After experimentation, and a lot of careful thought, my EDC evolved from a Model 642-1 to a Model 38-0 and a Model 638-1. Lots of reasons why, but long story short, I have, among other medical issues, arthritis of both hands and wrists. While I doubt I'd ever have to do a reload under tactical conditions, it is reassuring to me to know I can access a revolver with either hand if the need arises. The ability to forgo any mechanical failures and reloads is sauce for the goose as far as I'm concerned.

Regards,

Dave

 

[dsink]

It all depends on the time of year and how I am dressed. I am pretty comfortable with a 5 shot j frame but normally what I carry depends on how I am dressed.

Hot, humid North Carolina summer, J frame in the pocket more often than not. Fall/winter and I have something heavier on, its usually an auto of 9mm or larger with at least 9+ rounds.

I dont plan on getting in a running gun battle. My whole reason for carrying is to protect my wife, daughters and myself. I am pretty comfortable with 5 rounds out of a 38 spl.

 

[BigDogBoogie]

I often just carry my little model 638 J frame. It's not optimal but it's small and light enough that I don't have an excuse not to carry it, So I always at least have 5 rounds of Buffalo Bore on me.

Lately I've been thinking very strongly about acquiring a 3 inch S&W .38 special as a primary and have the 638 as a back up or "New York reload".

Maybe a model 10 or 64 would fit the bill.

 

[safearm]

I have routinely carried a 5 shot revolver as a CCW for the last 40 years. Normally it's been a S&W J frame in .38 Special or .357 Magnum, my current version is a 442. Lately however, I've taken to carrying a Charter Boomer, also a five shot but in .44 Special. I try to always carry at least one reload. With Bianchi Speed Strips, it's easy to carry another five rounds unobtrusively.

 

[murphydog]

Statistically, the average number of rounds fired in a personal self-defense encounter is between 1.5 and 2. Of course, other factors (such as the threat level involved - think jewelry store full of Rolex watches in an urban setting) need to be taken into account, and there is a difference between have a gun that you will carry all the time and having one readily available, such as being at home. Practice and stay safe out there!

 

[NYlakesider]

My everyday carry gun now is a Ruger LCR.38 (5 shot). For house guns perhaps another thread!

First off I'm not a cop and made my mind up decades ago of what I will do & when I will do it. This covers most situations but I know things can change very suddenly. My gun is to cover me and my family unless something extraordinary happens and I'm in attendance.

I watch where I go and at 72 I'm extremely street wise so its a good chance gun will stay holstered I think and hope that the five in the cylinder will be sufficient if worst comes to worst. I do most times carry a speed strip with 5 more in it.

With that said that is my standard MO, in different circumstances like going into the city or known bad places or a big incident like a prison break happened nearby instead of the Ruger I will be carrying a.45 with spare mags. A couple years ago north of us 2 murderers broke out of prison. (it was all over the national news for weeks)

 

[KSDeputy]

I do not carry a revolver, except for my model 60 around the farm. When I leave my property I carry a .45 with 25 rounds loaded in magazines. My wife says I am paranoid. After being a peace officer for 30 years, I call it being prepared. I learned that in the Boy Scouts.

 

[Mister X]

The one that comes to mind is the mother & daughter liquor store shooting (and other convenient store shootings). A home invasion video. I've also read/seen video's about multiple armed thug scenarios.

That's one isolated incident and when addressing armed robberies of small businesses where you are the owner/worker, I would essentially view and treat them the same as a home defense scenario. At home, I have several 9mm glocks available since I won't really have the option of avoiding/escaping in the event of a targeted home invasion as I do when carrying concealed out and about in public. Even then, the snub revolver would most likely be adequate and is on me most of the time.

You'll probably be able to find find isolated civilian defense incidents where 8 or 18 rounds wasn't enough, but they are few and far between. Odds and stats should figure into the equation and a 5 shot revolver will carry enough ammo for 99+% of the situations a civilian will encounter. We're not talking police work where proactive/intentional engagement and pursuit is the directive. Civilian armed encounters are all about avoidance and reactive self-defense.

You could say it's better to carry a higher capacity auto to be better prepared for those outliers, but again, the auto comes with it's own disadvantages, such as a far lesser degree of reliability in close-quarter/contact scenarios. In regards to armed multiple armed attackers, show me numerous or even a handful of shootouts between them and armed civilians. By contrast, I come across numerous physical assaults by unarmed multiple assailants and in such a scenario, I'll take the enclosed hammer revolver every time in that situation. Any choice is a compromise and comes with its own set of trade-offs and for me, considering the most likely situations I will face as an armed citizen, the snub revolver makes the most sense and I think the evidence backs it up.

 

[bigggbbruce]

In the small town I live in, seems it's 2 persons in a vehicle.

Go to the city and it is 3 to 5 in a vehicle.

Small town .. j frame 5 shot.

City... 10mm auto.. 14 round mag with an extra.

 

[BigDogBoogie]

If I'm at home it's a whole different ballgame. I live in the country so besides my carry gun I have rifles available constantly for coyote defense.

Not to mention I have the overly protective German short hair land shark in my avatar. Big Dog is never more than a few feet away from us and he is not something to be trifled with.

I know he's not bulletproof but if nothing else he's an excellent early warning system on paws.

 

[Scorpion520AZ]

I own 3 J frames....It's light enough to wear tucked into the waistband of draw sting elastic waist shorts.

If you like 10 rounds at the ready, I'd suggest carrying 2 J-Frames. Before the G26 I used to do that all the time. Sometimes I even carried 3 J-Frames. If need be, I'd rather grab a second J-Frame than have to reload.

Be careful with IWB carry on "draw string elastic shorts". I've lost count of how many times I've seen the holster come out with the pistol using elastic/no belt shorts/pants when mild stress is introduced.

 

[Mister X]

This past year I've spent time in Atlanta, Miami, Memphis, Chicago, Kansas City, Indianapolis, St.Louis, Nashville, Cincinnati and Cleveland and have yet to be confronted by or even seen carloads full of anything that resemble gang members. I travel to these places every year and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. I'll be back in Chicago in a couple of weeks. I'm not worried. Maybe I'm just really lucky, but I'm just not coming across these groups that so many on gun forums warn about. I am aware that there are certain areas of these cities that I would highly recommend avoiding getting out of your vehicle in, better yet avoid completely, especially after a certain hour. Easy enough to do.

 

[Mainsail]

First off, I'm not trying to offend anyone or ruffle any feathers. ... I worked with several cops over the years that only carried a J frame or .380 and no re-load for it...

I think that is the only thing offensive in the post. One shouldn't assume that all cops are 'gun guys' and can offer better advice than anyone else.

Carry whatever makes you comfortable.

 

[crazyphil]

Most of the time I carry this 642-1 with a Bianchi speed strip (reload)
in my pocket. Like the man said: "It's better to have it and not need it
than to need it and not have it." The Piranha is backup.