...a .38 special. "Don´t be a fool..."

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My standard reply to situations like this.

Really? Why that is just fastinating. You've certainly give me a lot to think about tonight. You have a good evening now. See you again sometime.

Then I start the car and forget all about it.
 
As the late great Bill Jordan said, the 38 Special is the most powerful round the average man-most of us-can expect to master. And as we have noted many times, Hits with Minor Calibers hurt a lot more than Misses with Majors.
 
Really? Why that is just fastinating. You've certainly give me a lot to think about tonight. You have a good evening now. See you again sometime.
Click to expand...

But that would be so hard to do while I was laughing hysterically! :D:D:D
 
Even though I agree with everyone else, I'll throw this out there anyway. Just to further the conversation.
http://myfox8.com/2013/01/06/ga-mom-shoots-intruder-5-times-saves-children/

For those who don't want to follow the link, its a story from 2013 about a mother in GA who shot an intruder in the face 5(?) times at essentially PBR with a 38 revolver. The intruder still managed to get in his car and drive away. Granted he crashed his car into a tree but you get the idea.
 
I hope like hell I never get shot with a .38 spl, just saying! :eek:

I carry a LCR .38 spl+P. Im a firm believer in that snub nose revolver, my ability to shoot it and it saving my life.
 
Who goes to the range to shoot guns wearing a suit and tie? :confused:

I'm not sure I see a practical reason for a full-size .38 special (only) revolver, but snubbies change the equation because they're intended for concealed carry, and they're great for that. Everything is tradeoffs, and everything includes guns for different applications.
 
I for one have no use for a 38 special for anything but a BUG. I have seen enough people shot with it, being an inner city cop for many years, to come to that conclusion.

I could care less how it performs in jello, or what the FBI recommends.
 
I love me some 38 snub. I have a 2" lightweight small frame. I removed the hammer spur for pocket carry. It is easy to carry under most circumstances. It has a nice smooth trigger pull and I can hit a paper plate every time at 7 yards. In cold weather your hand naturally slides into your coat pocket, and you can even fire it from inside the pocket without any trouble. If there is a faulty round of ammo you can just pull the trigger again. Everything I have ever shot with a 38 special has died.

It is a simple, reliable, and effective self defense firearm. That man was confused.
 
Who goes to the range to shoot guns wearing a suit and tie?

actually, someone who usually dresses that way. If you are practicing with your concealed carry weapon it helps to practice as you would normally be dressed. But I do get your point, it does look a bit out of place at a range.

David
 
About 17-18 years ago I purchased a used S&W 60-7 (2" bbl, s/s, J-frame) from a pawn shop owner who had used it as his in-door carry gun. He had once shot and killed a robber who had held up his shop. He was a retired LEO so I suppose that's the reason that he had no trouble in recovering the gun after the investigation was completed.
 
Does he have any idea how many people have been put in their grave by a .38 over the years? Always cracks me up hearing folks talk like that. Actually heard a guy ( who doesnt even shoot) tell his wife a 38 would only make the bad guy mad....As far as stories of people getting shot in the head with a .38 and walking away... SUre, but it has happened with any other common pistol cartridge you can name . A glancing shot to the ear may be reported as a shot to the face or head.
 
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for asking your question..

My thought? I was waiting for the punch line where he offers to sell you a wondernine, latest plastic .40, mega-caliber revolver or 1911 45 ACP.

But, details:


"A 2 in barrel .38 revolver will never penetrate the 12 inches the FBI requires. Never."

Repeating the word "never" is a red flag. Besides 12 inches is not the important factor. It is where you put it.

One man's "marketing gimmick" is another's answer to a prayer.

"use simple logic"

H. L. Mencken opined, "For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong."

"80 % is covered by hard bone"

Most of the humans I know have internal skeletons, not exoskeletons. Besides, hitting bone is often a good fightstopper. Bone, not bone, very difficult to tell which is better to hit and even harder to pick which one you do.

I think Menken, and you, Tarcante, have it right.

Do you have any idea what HE was shooting that night?

Lost Sheep
 
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I recall that Jeff Cooper...

when he couldn't carry a .45, he never hesitated to carry a J-frame as an alternate.

Had a situation before the Fourth, where I had a slow-moving vehicle keep its hood ornament centered on me crossing a parking lot. Had the operator not mimic my shallow turning away, I was reaching for my j-frame.

Now whenever going to that area I have a 4" or semi on me.
 
If anything, the .38SPL snub will overpenetrate due to the low velocity not being enough to open most hollowpoints. But that doesn't prevent it from doing the job when needed.
 
Whether gun shows, Tea Party events, or the local gas station; you will occasionally run into poorly informed or slightly eccentric individuals who think that they know better and want to tell you all about it. You probably handled it as well as possible, especially in an environment where you might see him again. The only mistake was thinking too much about it. Other people here have done an excellent job handling the content of this man's rantings, especially Lost Sheep.
 
me personally i don't own any snubbies, i don't like the short site radii on them, but as other members have posted, with snubby pocket guns there are "trade offs". however the 38 spl. is a good all around cal., but mostly it's not the cal. but the shot placement that really counts.
 
You should ask him if he would like to prove his theory and stand in front of the target while I shoot him with my underpowered .38. back up:D. I bet the answer is no.:rolleyes:. I get these questions all the time when I work my part time job at the gun store or for that matter when I'm on patrol. I always answer it the same.What gun would you like to be shot with? After they answer none. I then tell them the bad guys feel the same way they don't want to get shot and 9 times out of 10 it's your attitude that makes them decide on someone easier if they sense you are not a victim they keep right on walking.
 
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