Great father and son story, Doug, thank you!
Remember when the term ".38 Special" mean't a serious service revolver?
- Thread starter Doug.38PR
- Start date
GyMac
US Veteran
When I started out in shooting I didn't have the time of day for a ".38," except for a Detective Special as it was the only kind of gun I felt appropriate for the round. Times change and now I own 7 and would not be without one. They are just fun to shoot. Because for me, shooting is mainly about fun. Otherwise I'd probably be happy with just one gun. I know my wife would be.
Down here in the swamp we like 'em grey to keep 'em from turning brown. Certainly wouldn't be undergunned with this. Joe
Pointblank2U
US Veteran
The .38 Special is just as effective as it always was, which is considerable. There's just a lot of hype today in order to sell new guns and ammunition. Reliability and Shot Placement matter most, the rest is extraneous.
Down here in the swamp we like 'em grey to keep 'em from turning brown. Certainly wouldn't be undergunned with this. Joe
WOW, OH WOW !!
A S&W Model 64-no dash ! My first Agency issue service revolver.
If I had a "Wish" I would have one again. No bells, whistles, or high capacity, just plain business. Brings back fond memories.
swca940
Member
I took my son to the range last week. At 19 you would think he would want to shoot my Sig's or Beretta's, something more "modern", but no... the old Model 10-8 was his first choice.
It is always in my range bag, always used and treasured.
It is one gun I will never sell because I like it's history and tradition,
It is always in my range bag, always used and treasured.
It is one gun I will never sell because I like it's history and tradition,
sac-gunslinger
Member
Excellent, excellent point. I will not complain about new "stuff" coming out. Heck, that's what makes collecting fun. We just have to realize that the introduction of new items (guns, ammo, holsters, whatever) is designed to entice us to buy. And that enticement is easier to achieve if a siren voice from the wings is whispering "the old one you have will no longer work."
All of my handguns are 38 revolvers (OK, one 357). I ain't too worried about being defenseless.
And I am still using "old fashioned" leather holsters as well.
Last edited:
Beach-Hunter
Member
The 38 Special.....funny how life can make a complete 360 on you
My first center fire pistol was a .38 special COLT MK-III a State police turn in...I then bought a 2nd one both were nickle plated...I paid $129.00 each for them...believe they were a odd 5" bbl. I then had to have a snub like I saw millions of times on those 1970's tv shows!! Got a charter arms undercover. Then I was brainwashed by the "gunshop counter jockey's"....YOU NEED MORE POWER.....over the next almost 20 years I had 15 different 44 mags...hot rodded 45 colts....I fired thousands of rounds...may be why I have Arthritis in my hands now...I then tappered down to the 9mm & 357.....Now my last 5 guns have been 38 specials J frames mostly...but one model 65 mixed in a 3" model I sold in a moment of stupid...so I have come full circle back to the grand old 38 special...I got a 1960's model 60 I'll take to the grave... I always shot the 38 special best...and evey thing I shot with it died!! I can't say that about the 44 or 45...lol I'm sure it was a shot placement issue...cause I'm always more care full with the 38...I think we suffer from over confedence with the bigger cal's...long live the 38 special!!...in the 80's they talked of it being "DEAD" LOL
My first center fire pistol was a .38 special COLT MK-III a State police turn in...I then bought a 2nd one both were nickle plated...I paid $129.00 each for them...believe they were a odd 5" bbl. I then had to have a snub like I saw millions of times on those 1970's tv shows!! Got a charter arms undercover. Then I was brainwashed by the "gunshop counter jockey's"....YOU NEED MORE POWER.....over the next almost 20 years I had 15 different 44 mags...hot rodded 45 colts....I fired thousands of rounds...may be why I have Arthritis in my hands now...I then tappered down to the 9mm & 357.....Now my last 5 guns have been 38 specials J frames mostly...but one model 65 mixed in a 3" model I sold in a moment of stupid...so I have come full circle back to the grand old 38 special...I got a 1960's model 60 I'll take to the grave... I always shot the 38 special best...and evey thing I shot with it died!! I can't say that about the 44 or 45...lol I'm sure it was a shot placement issue...cause I'm always more care full with the 38...I think we suffer from over confedence with the bigger cal's...long live the 38 special!!...in the 80's they talked of it being "DEAD" LOL
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
I've never been able to afford to be a collector or even an accumulator. My profession for 37 of my 55 working years was notoriously underpaid but needed. I need guns that will work to defend my elderly carcass--I'm no boomer, but a high-mileage 1937 model.
I have them. A 2" J-frame for EDC and a fixed-sight 4" K for home defense. Both .38 Special, both stoked with the old FBI load. Everything I need and nothing I don't, to quote a phrase I read here fairly often.
The combination of revolver and .38 Special +P 158-grain LSWCHP has been getting the job done for many years. It's what I'm comfortable and confident with, and certainly not marginal in my book.
I have them. A 2" J-frame for EDC and a fixed-sight 4" K for home defense. Both .38 Special, both stoked with the old FBI load. Everything I need and nothing I don't, to quote a phrase I read here fairly often.
The combination of revolver and .38 Special +P 158-grain LSWCHP has been getting the job done for many years. It's what I'm comfortable and confident with, and certainly not marginal in my book.
Last edited:
littleriver1
US Veteran
A serious service revolver, indeed. I went into the service after high school in 1963 and was in the military police. A 38 special was the only thing anyone used. We didn't think about much else. Some would talk about their guns at home but every one learned to use that revolver. When I got out of the service I picked up a 38 special for myself. I had friends show me 357's and 44 magnums and tell me I needed more power, but for some reason I always felt at home with the 38. I have an M&P 9 but I still always carry a 38 special. I'm not a great shot and never competed. I've never pulled that gun and hope I never do, but if I do, I'm confident it will do what's needed. They say practice makes perfect but at my age, practice is fun.
Walk by a policeman......
Walk by a policeman and glance at his holster and he has REAL BULLETS in it.
Walk by a policeman and glance at his holster and he has REAL BULLETS in it.
Another LEO that started back in the '70's. In my agency the 38 Special it was recognized that you were going to need several rounds to stop a determined attacker.
Officers that were serious about surviving gunfights carried .357 Magnum ammo and if they really flush a Colt Python or S&W Model 27.
Officers that were serious about surviving gunfights carried .357 Magnum ammo and if they really flush a Colt Python or S&W Model 27.
bmcgilvray
Member
I'm grateful to take the .38 Special seriously around here, no two ways about it! I have snubs but don't think of snubs first when considering the .38 Special.
There is no way for me to prove it but I would guess that the .38 Special has put down more men than any other single cartridge.
bmcgilvray
Member
Others would say that "honor" would go to the 9mm.
The .38 Special would probably be in the running for the most for a revolver cartridge but the lowly .22 would probably be the winner.
The .38 Special would probably be in the running for the most for a revolver cartridge but the lowly .22 would probably be the winner.
JeepinSoldier
Member
A low capacity .38 Special can handle multiple assailants at close range just fine. Bernie Goetz shot 4 attackers on the NY Subway in less than a minute with a S&W Model 37. None of them continued to attack him..........
I read some where, several years ago that more homicides have been committed with the .22RF than any other round. However, cannot provide the source of that info.
Also, in my earlier post I neglected to recognize the OP, it is an excellent tribute to the OP's father. Good job.
My first handgun was a nickel plated 6" Model19...still my favorite pistol. we have 3 snub 38's one stainless, one blued, one hammerless alloy (my CCW piece)... a friend of mine used to talk about how a 38 wasn't big enough...I always asked him how he'd feel about getting shot with one of those lowly 38's....long pause....as powerful as a 44, hell no, but good enough to do the job if you do yours....certainly.
Wonderful thread, wonderful story and bond with your dad.
I loaned, (gave really but he always referred to the "gun I loaned him") to my dad years ago, a Colt Police Positive Special in .38 Special. My mom asked to keep it after he died. We were visiting today and she related how much he liked the revolver.
I started with the 357 mag back in the day, and now carry a M&P 45 ACP as duty sidearm, but have shot many, many rounds with the 38 and it is an adequate defense round.
I loaned, (gave really but he always referred to the "gun I loaned him") to my dad years ago, a Colt Police Positive Special in .38 Special. My mom asked to keep it after he died. We were visiting today and she related how much he liked the revolver.
I started with the 357 mag back in the day, and now carry a M&P 45 ACP as duty sidearm, but have shot many, many rounds with the 38 and it is an adequate defense round.
Had a 1911 as issued when first in the Navy. Since 1967 I always had at least one .38 Spl. Never felt that under gunned especially after the Super-Vel ammo came out.
Now have at least 7 or 8. They seem to multiply somehow....
Now have at least 7 or 8. They seem to multiply somehow....
Dave T
Member
The only 38 Specials I have are 38/44s and the only 38 Special cases I load are 38/44 loads. I really like the old 38/44, i.e. a 158g @ 1100-1150 fps.
Started my LEO career carrying a M28-2 loaded with Magnums. When I got off probation I qualified with a Government Model and carried one model or another of Colt 45 ACP from them until well after retirement.
Dave
Started my LEO career carrying a M28-2 loaded with Magnums. When I got off probation I qualified with a Government Model and carried one model or another of Colt 45 ACP from them until well after retirement.
Dave
sac-gunslinger
Member
In my younger days (I'm just a few years behind you shouldazagged) I've had guns stacked high in the corner, couldn't even remember all that I had. Some I sold or traded without ever even having shot, carried, or had outta the box. Sad. Wasteful.
Now, I have what shoulda has, plus a 38 snubbie for Ms. Gunslinger. And I have never felt better protected.
I'm with you shouldazagged, everything I need and nuttin' I don't
sac-gunslinger
Member
I have snubs but don't think of snubs first when considering the .38 Special.
bmc, that is a very pretty Official Police (nice M10, too).
spad124
Member
My dad never shot or taught me to shoot. He just didn't like guns. I learned to shoot from LEO friends in my early 20s back in the early 1980s. At the time most of the LEOs I knew were switching from revolvers-.38s and .357s--to semi autos. I learned to shoot on S&W .38s--Colts were too expensive. We called the 686 a "poor man's Python"
The thing is, after all these years I've kept my .38/.357 wheelguns, usually shooting +Ps, and an older 1911 clone. I've had hi-cap 9mms but seem to have no problem trading those off. Lately I've "accumulated" a couple of M10-8s instead of the poly wonders.
The thing is, after all these years I've kept my .38/.357 wheelguns, usually shooting +Ps, and an older 1911 clone. I've had hi-cap 9mms but seem to have no problem trading those off. Lately I've "accumulated" a couple of M10-8s instead of the poly wonders.
The .38 is the Rodney Dangerfield of cartridges..... I bet the majority of .357 magnum guns out there are loaded with 5-8 .38 specials... maybe +P or +P+ but still .38s.
I will admit that most of the time my 3inch 66 is stoked with +P .38s. I want to know I've got a fast 2nd shot!
Heck ..... what's the line from Magnum Force where we learn Dirty Harry is really carrying down loaded .44 magnums....... LOL... .44 Specials ...... for better control...............
Edit: does anyone make a 38/44 hollow point load these days.... ????
I will admit that most of the time my 3inch 66 is stoked with +P .38s. I want to know I've got a fast 2nd shot!
Heck ..... what's the line from Magnum Force where we learn Dirty Harry is really carrying down loaded .44 magnums....... LOL... .44 Specials ...... for better control...............
Edit: does anyone make a 38/44 hollow point load these days.... ????
I've always heard more people have been killed with .22's than any other round, most likely because more of those rounds shot than any other. Don't know if there's any stats to back this one up either. May be just another urban legend!
Arik
Member
I love 38s (used to look down on them. A 38 snub if you will ). They have a place in SD firearms I just dont think that place is front and center.
Being in police service for 75 years doesnt mean much to me. Most cops arnt gun guys. The gun is just part of the uniform. They unholster them for qualifications oncr or twice a year and thats it. It could just as easily be a BB gun. Plus the fact that a lot of the time it was "politics" that mandated what was carried and not real world results. Like someone else mentioned about departments being afraid to issue 357 magnums. It could have been any caliber but it ended up being a 38.
My personal belief is that the 38 is the 380 of the revolver world. No one would carry a 380 if it was the size of a 5906. So why carry a 35oz 4 in barrel 38? They shine as light, short barrel carry guns. If im going to carry something over 3 in barrel or that has a weight of a 1911 I might as well carry a 357 and get tge most use out of it. I find the 3 inch barrel mark to be the cutoff for both the 38/357. A 38 up to 3 inches and 357 starting from....
If im carrying a 357 it will be loaded with 357. No sense in downloading.
Now this is strictly from a practical carry point of view. If you buy to collect thats a different story
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
). They have a place in SD firearms I just dont think that place is front and center.Being in police service for 75 years doesnt mean much to me. Most cops arnt gun guys. The gun is just part of the uniform. They unholster them for qualifications oncr or twice a year and thats it. It could just as easily be a BB gun. Plus the fact that a lot of the time it was "politics" that mandated what was carried and not real world results. Like someone else mentioned about departments being afraid to issue 357 magnums. It could have been any caliber but it ended up being a 38.
My personal belief is that the 38 is the 380 of the revolver world. No one would carry a 380 if it was the size of a 5906. So why carry a 35oz 4 in barrel 38? They shine as light, short barrel carry guns. If im going to carry something over 3 in barrel or that has a weight of a 1911 I might as well carry a 357 and get tge most use out of it. I find the 3 inch barrel mark to be the cutoff for both the 38/357. A 38 up to 3 inches and 357 starting from....
If im carrying a 357 it will be loaded with 357. No sense in downloading.
Now this is strictly from a practical carry point of view. If you buy to collect thats a different story
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
sw44spl
Member
I grew up in the late 60s and 70s and always saw the law carry 357mag pistols.Now I really like the 38 and 357 mag rounds.I reload and cast for them.to me they are the best. I carry a 38spl daily.
Az. revolver fan
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2011
- Messages
- 53
- Reaction score
- 10
Earlier in this thread, I posted a short note regarding an agency I worked for that issued the .38 spl. The other two agencies I worked for allowed the officers to choose their own sidearms (within certain parameters). In both agencies, the number of officers that chose the .38 spl. for themselves was zero. I have to agree with the late Elmer Keith's observation on the .38 spl. and it's long run in law enforcement. "Because of the round's excellent inherent accuracy, low recoil, and the most excellent "K-frame" revolvers it is usually issued in. The 38 special will always be the favorite of the police bureaucrats and all the others who have never had to actually use the weapon in the line of duty". Amen.
