Maybe it's time I got back to the basics . . .

[Erich]

I've actually had that thought, Groo. "Spray and pray" is not an option with a roundgun, which is something I appreciate about them: they make you pay more attention to what you're doing.

 

[steve hammer]

"Spray and pray" is not an option with a roundgun, which is something I appreciate about them: they make you pay more attention to what you're doing.

Amen to that. I have been shooting .38s in IDPA and believe it has made me think the stage out much better. Sunday a new shooter was asking how to shoot a stage and I caught myself saying "well you don't have to be perfect just throw a couple extra at it". Not a very good thought in real self-defence.
Erich;
How can you put that lovely 3" bead blasted 65 up? I believe that is the only gun one would have to carry, about ever (well maybe a J frame for swim wear).

 

[Erich]

Ha! You should feel the action, too!

 

[tom turner]

Originally posted by Erich:
Caleb, here's one I've posted before:

Hi,

It is nice to see that you took a little .38spl. on a beautiful trip. Most of 'em get neglected and only their bigger brothers ever get to experience scenery like that.

However, like lots of little "dogs" . . . your little "Bodyguard" packs plenty enough "bite" to save your neck!

I applaude your renewed confidence in a caliber that lends itself better than most to being the best concealed caliber ever!

T.

 

[tom turner]

Eric,

I must confess that since I picked up that really good lookin, and sweet shooting Nickle M36 square latch a few weeks ago, I've also made the switch to wheelguns only right now.

Gone for a while is my 3" Kimber Ultra CDP .45 as my car/house/primary defense handgun . . . with the Keltec P-32 as my BUG.

They've been replaced by my favorite handgun as my primary . . . my 3 1/4" barreled M25-2 wheelgun in .45ACP (backed by eight moonclips).

My all-time BUG is now the M36, in it's new Uncle Mikes pocket holster.

Yeah . . . this too shall pass but . . . what the heck!

--I've always shot better and faster double action with my Smith wheelguns than with any custom 1911 I've ever had in matches.

--S&W point so naturally that I can point shoot 'em with wonderful accuracy "up close and personal," plus . . .

They pack lots of punch!

I must confess to getting a smile on my face last week when I had to take a trip on business to North Carolina from Georgia . . . when I saw my holstered M25-2 in my glove compartment . . . backed by the eight moonclips and the speedloaders for the M36 (The 36 was in my pocket). Some BG would have had a REALLY bad day messin' with these two classics!

Enjoy your "freedom" from the bottom feeders! I sure am!!!

T.

 

[Erich]

Great thoughts and great pics, Tom!

(And great shooting!)

 

[4864]

Erich,

Good for you. You seem to know what you need to carry and that is your personal choice.

I have packed my M60 all summer long. I had it loaded with .38 +P+ Federal High Velocity 147 Gr. Hydra-Shok.
I just bought a M65-5LS. It is a dream to carry. I have it loaded with the same ammo. It is a lot lighter to carry then my M&P40 and I don't feel under armed at all.

 

[Erich]

I've found that Federal +P+ load gives some of the smallest deviations of any factory ammo I've chrono'd. I carry it in reserve for all my .38s/.357s and I feel confident it would suffice for "social work."

 

[snowman.45]

Erich:

Thanks. I read the data from the old thread. I'll see what I can come up with.

 

[Groo]

Groo here
You might find this strange but I might
offer a different load for your 38s.
A full jacket bullet of 158gr or heaver
or a Penn 180gr hard cast.
I must admit that I am most interested in the Thunderheads.
The kick would be great but the ability to drive through the target would be outatanding !
Also I would think that you should
work on your one hand shooting, as the other mabe doing something else[ like holding you in the tree you climbed!!!}
I am working on the uses of the fighting hand gun and believe that along with the one good shot- a smooth draw and thumbing back of the hammer to deliver that good shot- is an advanced
tactic.

 

[azmark]

I've read this thread, and it's gotten me motivated to think about a S&W revolver for my next gun. I'd like to get some informed opinions. I feel like a .38 +P would do me just fine. For some reason, I have an attraction to the model 637. The only revolvers I've fired are quite a bit heavier than the 637. Will a revolver that light be hard to handle? So far the lightest I've tried is a Taurus model 66, although I shot some fairly stout .357 handloads in it and it did sting a little. I've read that the little snubbies can be a handful. Maybe I'd be better off with a Model 10. (?)

 

[steve hammer]

azmark;
637 looks like a sweet piece, I have a 638. I find the airweight stainless to be a very nice compromise for me. Not very heavy, but shootable with +P loads. My only comment is that the 638 or the 642 would give you snag free access in your pocket. Not thinking I could give up the possibility I chowe the 638, but I must admit I would have been as well served with the 642.
At an IDPA match the other day we had a BUG gun side match. I lent my 638 to the eventual winner who shot it remarkably well at those distances. If yo buy a good used Smith and use it and don't like it you can probably get 90% of your money back out, so what is to loose?
But I doubt you'll want to sell an airweight S&W they are a great compromise of size, weight, and power.

 

[336A]

When asking if/is the .38 SPL enough?, one should really read this article. IMHO yes it is enough with the right bullet, but bullet placement is everything.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/index.htm

 

[Ed333]

Rather than jumping to a model 10, you really should try a Model 60 snubby (or its siblings, the 640 or 649). At 23 oz. it is not super heavy, but the steel frame does a good job of absorbing that recoil. I am getting very good with my 60, the trigger is getting better all the time, been shooting plates matches with it, I'm just not fast enough on reloads to be competitve. That is with non+P .38s.

 

[azmark]

I downloaded the S&W catalog. I like the M60, although the round butt looks a little wierd. It's growing on me as I look at it, though. The only Smiths I've handled had the wooden stocks, and they were the square butt kind.

 

[Ed333]

Originally posted by azmark:
... I like the M60, although the round butt looks a little wierd. It's growing on me as I look at it, though. The only Smiths I've handled had the wooden stocks, and they were the square butt kind.

You don't have to stick with that grip, although it provides a nice place to park your pinky. Any type of grip you see on any of the J frames can go on, including wooden aftermarkets such as Spegals or Ahrends.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating.

I do not feel at all undergunned with a 4" K frame and 12 rounds of 125 grain 357 Magnum.

 

[azmark]

I had spent some time a while back checking prices on model 10s, but never looked for a 60. Are they as plentiful on the used market as the 10?

 

[photoman]

Originally posted by Erich:
I've found that Federal +P+ load gives some of the smallest deviations of any factory ammo I've chrono'd. I carry it in reserve for all my .38s/.357s and I feel confident it would suffice for "social work."

I've found this ammo to be exceptionally accurate in my 4" M64 and 2" M64. Stocked up on it when Cheaper Than Dirt was selling it for under $20 a box.

 

[Ed333]

Originally posted by azmark:
I had spent some time a while back checking prices on model 10s, but never looked for a 60. Are they as plentiful on the used market as the 10?

Maybe not quite that plentiful, a lot of Model 10s have been made, but not hard to find. I have an extra M.60, with 5" barrel, which I am thinking of moving out, have to make room for an incoming Model 40 and a Colt Cobra.