Is the 38 good enough for defense??
- Thread starter patrickd
- Start date
Interesting video, although I'm not sure why he chose 20 yards if he's demonstrating self defense shooting capabilities of small handguns.
He's dang proficient with the J-frame.
My wife isn't a recreational shooter, but every year or so she goes out with me to use her 442.
I think her main intent is just to remind me why I shouldn't cause her undue upset - she can pop 5 into a pie plate at 25 yards every time while I'm not sure I could hit the side of a barn with the darn thing.
SC_Mike
Member
Young guy at the range "jokingly" called my S&W .38 an old mans gun. I asked him it he'd ever been shot by one. He changed the subject.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
I must believe a good .38 Special load is enough. It's all I've carried every day for eighteen years, since I left automatics to return to revolvers.
"Old man's gun"? Fair enough. I'm an old man, and I like and trust my 640 in .38 Special.
"Old man's gun"? Fair enough. I'm an old man, and I like and trust my 640 in .38 Special.
dubshooter
Member
I'm far from an old man. And right now on my coffee table sits two 10-5's and a 640 (loaded with GD 135 38+P)
Watchdog
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You'd think that in the 119 years since the .38 Special was first developed, someone would have come up with an answer by now.
But apparently it's one of those great mysteries that'll never be solved...kinda like how did the Egyptians build the Great Pyramid, or that thing about the UFO at Roswell.
Walkingwolf
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One stone at a time, I know I was there...
Hawker800
Member
I keep my 642 backup near by.
Dvan34
Member
I carried the .38 Colt Special that I was issued in the Border Patrol and in U.S. Customs until they issued the .357. They never began issuing semi-autos until after I retired in 1989. I think they are carrying .40 ca. now. I do not know what they are issued. I still own a .38 Colt Diamondback, although due to the size I don't carry it IWB CC or qualify with it anymore. I do like that revolver, but I also like the fast reload offered by a pistol magazine.
Doug M.
Member
I generally prefer autopistols for ergonomic reasons. However, I am reasonably confident that sound hits with the standard velocity .38 SWC will do about as well (or poorly) as any other handgun service round. Remember that handgun rounds suck, and that handguns are what one carries when there is no reason to expect a problem. Take a good look at the sound research and writing on the issue from Doc Roberts (quoted on the first page; he's the heir to Dr. Fackler) and the excellent chapter on the issue from Patrick and Hall in the latest edition of their book - then planning on shooting as fast and accurately as you can until you perceive that the offender is not capable of the actions that justified shooting him (or her) in the first place.
bigggbbruce
Member
If I ever have to draw a weapon for SD.. I really doubt the person I shoot will laugh at me because it was ONLY a 38spl.
.22 WMR from an NAA is good enough if I'm shooting at you. You'll certainly decide pretty quickly that you have better things to do at that moment . . .
