.38 for edc?
- Thread starter ratrodney
- Start date
Cheapshooter
New member
Or just tell him what it really is.....The 9X29R. A whole 10MM longer than his whimpy 9X19. Anybody fool enough to believe the 38 Special, with modern SD ammo, is too weak for CCW should be impressed with your 9X29R
Cosmodragoon
New member
I think .38 special is fine for most normal defensive uses. If you got a good price on one in good condition with a Crimson Trace, go for it!
As Dain Bramage put it...
Now that's a lovely cartridge. It's got power levels just above vanilla .38 special and gives you a sixth shot on J-frame and comparable cylinders. The only problem is a lack of guns chambered for it. Thankfully, the new Ruger LCR 327 works.
As Dain Bramage put it...
Well, it's no .32 H&R Mag.
Now that's a lovely cartridge. It's got power levels just above vanilla .38 special and gives you a sixth shot on J-frame and comparable cylinders. The only problem is a lack of guns chambered for it. Thankfully, the new Ruger LCR 327 works.
Many opinions but I am totally comfortable with a 38 Special assuming decent loads. My favorite is a 125 JHP at a clocked 1150 FPS from a 2" revolver.
For the past couple years I have relied on a 380 auto for various reasons. The Taurus TCP is incredibly light and compact and it holds 7 rounds versus 5 for a J frame. The 380 is less powerful than my 38 load, but I trade some power for smaller and lighter. I don't feel uncomfortable with the 380. Any shooting will be at very close range and the truth is that unless he's pumped up on drugs a man is relatively easy to stop with a handgun.
For the past couple years I have relied on a 380 auto for various reasons. The Taurus TCP is incredibly light and compact and it holds 7 rounds versus 5 for a J frame. The 380 is less powerful than my 38 load, but I trade some power for smaller and lighter. I don't feel uncomfortable with the 380. Any shooting will be at very close range and the truth is that unless he's pumped up on drugs a man is relatively easy to stop with a handgun.
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
I never regretted buying that SW 432 when they were discontinued and dumped. Got one for $335.
Put the Hornady Critical Defense rounds in it.
As far the question, independent of the capacity issues, a 642 with one of the quality 38 SPL self-defense loads is a fine gun.
You would even be hard put to find a case where someone loaded it with mild wadcutters and shot a BG who then continued the crime.
Put the Hornady Critical Defense rounds in it.
As far the question, independent of the capacity issues, a 642 with one of the quality 38 SPL self-defense loads is a fine gun.
You would even be hard put to find a case where someone loaded it with mild wadcutters and shot a BG who then continued the crime.
Tell 98% of american cops from when the 38spl was introduced until the middle 1980's that it was an ineffective round.
Although some departments issued or allowed .357 revolvers most if not all issued 38+P ammo.
When the auto change happened it was almost all 9mm, arguably less potent that the .38 but more capacity…. which no one talked about until after Saugus /NewHall…..
Still carry a .38 plain clothes and don't feel under gunned at all.
Although some departments issued or allowed .357 revolvers most if not all issued 38+P ammo.
When the auto change happened it was almost all 9mm, arguably less potent that the .38 but more capacity…. which no one talked about until after Saugus /NewHall…..
Still carry a .38 plain clothes and don't feel under gunned at all.
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
It was designed for a Charter arms revolver. The gun and the round never went anywhere.
The idea is that a 9mm revolver should use standard 9mm and all the guns and solutions for the ejection problem haven't been popular.
I don't know how the current Ruger is doing in the market place.
The idea is that a 9mm revolver should use standard 9mm and all the guns and solutions for the ejection problem haven't been popular.
I don't know how the current Ruger is doing in the market place.
dieselbeef
New member
if u don't think a 38 is viable for defense let someone shoot you with one and see how it works out
ScaryWoody
New member
Unfortunately, the .38 special doesn't give the "head over heels" impact that a 44 magnum does on TV. .38 just stops the fight. For many, that's what they go by. Dramatic over realistic.
38 spl is useless . Will bounce off people Well did super man any way
Police only carried all those years. Because stud gun wasn't invented.
Nothing wrong with a 38spl. I carry one sometimes I carry loaded with the old 158gr LCWCHP +P load. I don't feel any less armed than I do with a 1911
Just slower on reload. If I need to reload either one I got wrong weapon with me. Should have brought a rifle.
Police only carried all those years. Because stud gun wasn't invented.
Nothing wrong with a 38spl. I carry one sometimes I carry loaded with the old 158gr LCWCHP +P load. I don't feel any less armed than I do with a 1911
Just slower on reload. If I need to reload either one I got wrong weapon with me. Should have brought a rifle.
ScaryWoody
New member
I remember the Superman TV reruns from the fifties. He'd puff his chest out and the bullets bounce right off. Then the bad guy throws the gun and he ducks. Funny.