Glenn R. McMannly
Member
Is a J-frame with 5 shot capacity of .38 special with maybe a speedloader at ready enough gun for bedside use in the home? In your own words please share your opinions if you will. Thank you.
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J-frame home defense?
- Thread starter Glenn R. McMannly
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Penquin
Member
Might not be my first choice, but that J-frame is absolutely enough gun for home defense. Just train regularly with it and consider ammo that fits with your wall construction.
Then again, given no need to conceal it at home, my choice would be a shotgun.
WAAAAAAAAAY back when, a gentleman by the name of Joe Bodry (sp?) was a traveling "attention getter" and quick-draw artist in the employ of Colt. He appeared in western garb---complete with a fancy two gun rig. Given a discussion of appropriate home defense weapons, he was quick to note the sound of a pump shotgun being "racked" was generally enough to discourage unwanted visitors------and saved a lot of money which would likely be spent redecorating a room otherwise.(!!)
That always served to get a good laugh, but it also served to sell more than a few pump shotguns---never mind they weren't made by Colt!!
Ralph Tremaine
WAAAAAAAAAY back when, a gentleman by the name of Joe Bodry (sp?) was a traveling "attention getter" and quick-draw artist in the employ of Colt. He appeared in western garb---complete with a fancy two gun rig. Given a discussion of appropriate home defense weapons, he was quick to note the sound of a pump shotgun being "racked" was generally enough to discourage unwanted visitors------and saved a lot of money which would likely be spent redecorating a room otherwise.(!!)
That always served to get a good laugh, but it also served to sell more than a few pump shotguns---never mind they weren't made by Colt!!
Ralph Tremaine
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A J-frame five shot .38 is better than nothing for home defense but there are many way better choices when size and concealment are not issues. AR-15s are fairly cheap these days and a 16" carbine with magazines of 20-30 rd capacity are readily available and would be a far better choice. As said above a pump shotgun would also be better and cheaper.
I carried and shot nothing but J-Frames for a lot of years. Usually carried in pairs. At night one was on my bed side table, shotgun in the closet and the second J was in my pants pocket incase I needed to get dressed quickly. We have an Alarm so if someone decides to try and enter they probably won’t hang around long. The past few years when 38 special ammo was scarce and expensive I added a high cap 9mm for cheaper practice. I still keep the J-Frame in my pocket always and back it up with a hi cap 9. The bed side gun can be either one at this point.
Baltimoreed11754
Member
A short barreled DA revolver held close to your body with a light in the other hand is imo the best solution to see what the dog is barking about. A 20 ga pump would be my choice in a barracaded bedroom with your family secure. I would at least get a 6 shooter as concealment is not an issue. And if it’s a cop at the door warning about a gas leak you’re not pointing an AR at him. Just slip your revolver into your robe pocket.
UNCLE PAULY
Member
Glenn,
If you currently own a J frame, as others said it would be adequate.
But if you’re shopping around for a home defense handgun I would suggest looking at either full frame 5” barrel semiautomatics in 9, 40 or 45 or a 6” revolver in 38 / 357.
The full grip and long sight radius make for easier & better shot placement.
The heavier the gun the better the recoil management.
Plenty of full size guns available (new & used) for same price as a J frame.
I personally keep a 1911 45 ACP bedside with a REM 870 in the corner.
If you currently own a J frame, as others said it would be adequate.
But if you’re shopping around for a home defense handgun I would suggest looking at either full frame 5” barrel semiautomatics in 9, 40 or 45 or a 6” revolver in 38 / 357.
The full grip and long sight radius make for easier & better shot placement.
The heavier the gun the better the recoil management.
Plenty of full size guns available (new & used) for same price as a J frame.
I personally keep a 1911 45 ACP bedside with a REM 870 in the corner.
Shrek Of The Arctic
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A J frame is what I consider the least acceptable option, but it is acceptable, especially if you keep a long gun nearby to fight your way to.
A J frame is really nice to slip into a pocket when answering an unexpected knock at the door, going to grab the mail, etc. It's also a very good choice if a wrestling match is on the agenda. If there are several folks with bad ideas, it should cover a retreat to a long gun just fine. If gathering the children into a safe room, it's not gonna be a hassle banging into doors and corners.
By virtue of being a revolver, it's quick and uncomplicated to get into action if you awaken a 3 AM to some creep coming thru the bedroom window with a big knife and a wicked smile. And finally..if you're hanging out in the living room hearing the ghetto bird or strange bumps in the night, it's pretty unobtrusive on the end table with a cup and small plate of favored snackage.
I myself keep an N frame .45 ACP or .357 for home defense, but I regularly carry a J frame. I have had the neigbor's mutant pitbull try to launch his way thru my door, and checked out people creeping thru my backyard, opened the door to unexpected visits, etc. With my J frame because it's what was there. From the 90 percent routine BS false alarms to a couple times when I went into a low ready, the J frame not being enough never entered my rattled brain.
I prefer more horsepower, but if it's all I got, I wouldn't lose a minute of sleep over it in my world. Some fella from a bigger, more dangerous city could have a different perspective, and rightfully so.
A J frame is really nice to slip into a pocket when answering an unexpected knock at the door, going to grab the mail, etc. It's also a very good choice if a wrestling match is on the agenda. If there are several folks with bad ideas, it should cover a retreat to a long gun just fine. If gathering the children into a safe room, it's not gonna be a hassle banging into doors and corners.
By virtue of being a revolver, it's quick and uncomplicated to get into action if you awaken a 3 AM to some creep coming thru the bedroom window with a big knife and a wicked smile. And finally..if you're hanging out in the living room hearing the ghetto bird or strange bumps in the night, it's pretty unobtrusive on the end table with a cup and small plate of favored snackage.
I myself keep an N frame .45 ACP or .357 for home defense, but I regularly carry a J frame. I have had the neigbor's mutant pitbull try to launch his way thru my door, and checked out people creeping thru my backyard, opened the door to unexpected visits, etc. With my J frame because it's what was there. From the 90 percent routine BS false alarms to a couple times when I went into a low ready, the J frame not being enough never entered my rattled brain.
I prefer more horsepower, but if it's all I got, I wouldn't lose a minute of sleep over it in my world. Some fella from a bigger, more dangerous city could have a different perspective, and rightfully so.
Pisgah
Member
Honest answer: Maybe...maybe not.
OP if your home is of average size and an intruder gains access and threatens you with a weapon the distance is probably going to be 20 feet or less. The advantages of a long barreled firearm could get turned against you if the intruder gets close enough to grab the long barrel. The J frames have been called a belly gun for good reason when fired from a couple feet away.
Shibadog
Member
I carry a J frame everyday, but it is NOT my choice for a home defense weapon. For that purpose a heavy caliber handgun backing up a short barrel 12 gauge is tough to beat. Imho a scattergun is a heck of a lot better SD than any rifle as it delivers levels of power per shot that only a Serious rifle can accomplish. One aimed shot that hits and resolves the situation beats the heck out of needing “multiple” shots to get the job done. Range in SD scenarios is short and the more umphf on target per hit the more likely you are to stop the situation quickly.
I have owned and shot various J Frames for many years.
I would say YES. If, as some others have said, you can shoot it well.
Preference would be a steel J Frame. Not the airweights. Especially for home defense. I recommend not using anything about 38+P (if you have a 357 J Frame) because it'll protect more of your hearing.
With that said, when I've heard a "bump in the night", I've grabbed my J Frame, a rifle, a shotgun, whatever I had handy at the quickest moment and felt secure. With a shotgun, I always had 00 Buck.
I feel a shotgun is ideal. It's easy to work under stress, doesn't penetrate like a 5.56/223 may through your house, and would be less likely to mess up under stress. A revolver of any kind would be second to that.
Adding a 4 inch 357 Mag L Frame would be a good addition. Bigger, easier to shoot, especially if half asleep, and you could still shoot 38s.
A gun is always better than NO GUN. Trust me, most people don't want to be shot by a BB gun, led alone a "real gun."
Keep in mind that these home invading rats we see now a days like to often run with 2-3 individuals (sometimes more) these days while trying to rob people.
Generally you shoot one or two, the others will flee.
They often get caught, either dead in the yard or nearby or seeking medical help. Note that anyone who shows up with gunshot wounds (or by their friends doing the "Homie Drop-Off" as it was called when I worked in hopitals) the police are supposed to be notified immediately. This is how many are caught after the fact.
Some general advice concerning home defense...
Just never answer the door, especially at night. This is a common tactic people use to try to force their way into your home, instead of an outright break-in. Often, the ones who do this ARE ARMED. They'll often use a decoy (typically a woman) to ask for help, to get you to open the door, while they're lying in wait.
I simply never answer my door. I don't care if it's the middle of the day. I don't answer my door. If you're not delivering packages, and I am not expecting packages, I WILL NOT answer the door. Even if you are a delivery service, I typically let them drop it and leave, then grab it.
I don't have people come to my home, so I know if I am not expecting packages, I don't want anything from a stranger... this is just the world we are living in. Safety first and always.
I would say YES. If, as some others have said, you can shoot it well.
Preference would be a steel J Frame. Not the airweights. Especially for home defense. I recommend not using anything about 38+P (if you have a 357 J Frame) because it'll protect more of your hearing.
With that said, when I've heard a "bump in the night", I've grabbed my J Frame, a rifle, a shotgun, whatever I had handy at the quickest moment and felt secure. With a shotgun, I always had 00 Buck.
I feel a shotgun is ideal. It's easy to work under stress, doesn't penetrate like a 5.56/223 may through your house, and would be less likely to mess up under stress. A revolver of any kind would be second to that.
Adding a 4 inch 357 Mag L Frame would be a good addition. Bigger, easier to shoot, especially if half asleep, and you could still shoot 38s.
A gun is always better than NO GUN. Trust me, most people don't want to be shot by a BB gun, led alone a "real gun."
Keep in mind that these home invading rats we see now a days like to often run with 2-3 individuals (sometimes more) these days while trying to rob people.
Generally you shoot one or two, the others will flee.
They often get caught, either dead in the yard or nearby or seeking medical help. Note that anyone who shows up with gunshot wounds (or by their friends doing the "Homie Drop-Off" as it was called when I worked in hopitals) the police are supposed to be notified immediately. This is how many are caught after the fact.
Some general advice concerning home defense...
Just never answer the door, especially at night. This is a common tactic people use to try to force their way into your home, instead of an outright break-in. Often, the ones who do this ARE ARMED. They'll often use a decoy (typically a woman) to ask for help, to get you to open the door, while they're lying in wait.
I simply never answer my door. I don't care if it's the middle of the day. I don't answer my door. If you're not delivering packages, and I am not expecting packages, I WILL NOT answer the door. Even if you are a delivery service, I typically let them drop it and leave, then grab it.
I don't have people come to my home, so I know if I am not expecting packages, I don't want anything from a stranger... this is just the world we are living in. Safety first and always.
Yes, it is adequate. Any 38 Special ammo is fine.
The_Truth
SWCA Member
5 rounds of 38spl is not ideal for home defense, but it should work as long as you are both proficient and lucky at the same time.
I'd prefer 15+1 of Underwood 10mm accompanied by a 1000 lumen flashlight.
With all of the better options out there it's tough to justify being undergunned by choice. Seems like a perfect excuse to buy something new
I'd prefer 15+1 of Underwood 10mm accompanied by a 1000 lumen flashlight.
With all of the better options out there it's tough to justify being undergunned by choice. Seems like a perfect excuse to buy something new
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Glenn you do not mention if you have the money/resources to buy or get another gun.
Personally as I have posted many times previously I consider the J-Frame .38 Special Snubbie a poor choice for self-defense. The very features that make the snubbie easy to carry (small frame, small grips, small front sight, short sight radius) makes it difficult to shoot accurately.
My biggest complaint about the .38 snubbie is ammunition performance. Jacketed Hollow Point bullets need speed to expand. The 2” barrel just isn’t long enough to give enough velocity for Hollow Points to expand. I use my snubbie as a fishing gun loaded with two shotshells and three 158 gr. LSW bullets.
If you want to stay with a revolver for home defense IMO the medium frame, fixed sight with 4” barrel is a ideal choice. I am referring to the Model 1O as my first choice but Ruger, Colt and Taurus all have models.
Personally as I have posted many times previously I consider the J-Frame .38 Special Snubbie a poor choice for self-defense. The very features that make the snubbie easy to carry (small frame, small grips, small front sight, short sight radius) makes it difficult to shoot accurately.
My biggest complaint about the .38 snubbie is ammunition performance. Jacketed Hollow Point bullets need speed to expand. The 2” barrel just isn’t long enough to give enough velocity for Hollow Points to expand. I use my snubbie as a fishing gun loaded with two shotshells and three 158 gr. LSW bullets.
If you want to stay with a revolver for home defense IMO the medium frame, fixed sight with 4” barrel is a ideal choice. I am referring to the Model 1O as my first choice but Ruger, Colt and Taurus all have models.
Alk8944
US Veteran
If a J Frame is the only gun you own then it is good enough.
If you are asking should you buy something different?
Then absolutely.
My first choice for home-defense revolver would be a K-Frame 4", in the form of a Model 10, 13, 15, or 19, preferably a fixed sight model. If easy concealment isn't the primary consideration then why limit yourself to a J Frame revolver? There is a very good reason that Police and other professionals do not use J Frame revolvers as their primary weapon!
If you are asking should you buy something different?
Then absolutely.
My first choice for home-defense revolver would be a K-Frame 4", in the form of a Model 10, 13, 15, or 19, preferably a fixed sight model. If easy concealment isn't the primary consideration then why limit yourself to a J Frame revolver? There is a very good reason that Police and other professionals do not use J Frame revolvers as their primary weapon!
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I cannot see where 5 rounds plus another five are not fine when someone has entered your home with the intent to do you harm. Is it optimal when you include your exterior, perimeter, and surrounding acreage? Probably not.
Against a pair of intruders, absolutely.
Against a pair of intruders, absolutely.
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