...a .38 special. "Don´t be a fool..."
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Yankee Doodle
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In NYPD terminology: "Schmuck"
brazosdave
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yeah, i guess the only appropriate revolver would be a .44 magnum huh?
I get the same type of speeches from people who find i carry a .44 black powder cap and ball revolver. Trust me, you don't want to get shot with it. And even if your Glock holds 15 rounds, it only takes one roundball to the forehead to make it a useless piece of plastic in a dead man's hand.
I get the same type of speeches from people who find i carry a .44 black powder cap and ball revolver. Trust me, you don't want to get shot with it. And even if your Glock holds 15 rounds, it only takes one roundball to the forehead to make it a useless piece of plastic in a dead man's hand.
gbclarkson
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.38 and bones
I have never shot a human torso with a .38 but I will bet that if the bullet does impact a rib or the sternum the shooter is in a highly advantageous position.
I have never shot a human torso with a .38 but I will bet that if the bullet does impact a rib or the sternum the shooter is in a highly advantageous position.
trapper9260
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Like was stated it s all come to shot placement. I have read about someone that shot a badger with a 357 mag and said it took 5 shots to put it down and that person think since a 357 could not take down a badger, that he think he would not be able to use it in self defence, so he said he will get a 44mag.But on my trap line, i shoot badgers with a 22lr and all my other animals on the trap line that I shoot.It is all up to the one of that is the user of the gun.All I can say I would not want to be shot with any gun. I did came close.
Apparently none on his part.
You do lose some significant velocity in the drop from 4" to 2" barrels. If you're interested in that, there's an excellent database at http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/38special.html
That said, the gun you will carry beats the one you won't carry, every single time.
pax
Crankgrinder
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Those stubby .38s have been killing people for a long time
serf 'rett
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Suit guy is right
Suit guy is right in his basic premise; however, he uses faulty reasoning to reach his conclusion.
Since the opening post has the appearance of considering a firearm for concealed carry, my thoughts are a 9mm semi auto is a better choice than a 5 shot J frame. Using as a frame of reference, my 9mm Kahr versus my S&W 642 Airweight. Between those two, I lean toward (and carry) the semi auto Kahr because it has:
1. Higher capacity
2. Faster reloads
3. Better trigger than my DA revolver
4. Better sights
5. Is concealed easier on my large frame due to thin width
6. And I shoot it better faster (subjective)
Suit guy just messed up his argument with suspect assertions when he could have stuck with some of the above points and made points.
Between the semi auto and the small revolver, I'm going with the semi auto. Of course, as stated above, I do own both types of small firearms because my golly whooper, elephant stomper won't fit in my pockets and causes my pants to hang down around my knees which makes it harder to run from a problem
My thoughts.
Suit guy is right in his basic premise; however, he uses faulty reasoning to reach his conclusion.
Since the opening post has the appearance of considering a firearm for concealed carry, my thoughts are a 9mm semi auto is a better choice than a 5 shot J frame. Using as a frame of reference, my 9mm Kahr versus my S&W 642 Airweight. Between those two, I lean toward (and carry) the semi auto Kahr because it has:
1. Higher capacity
2. Faster reloads
3. Better trigger than my DA revolver
4. Better sights
5. Is concealed easier on my large frame due to thin width
6. And I shoot it better faster (subjective)
Suit guy just messed up his argument with suspect assertions when he could have stuck with some of the above points and made points.
Between the semi auto and the small revolver, I'm going with the semi auto. Of course, as stated above, I do own both types of small firearms because my golly whooper, elephant stomper won't fit in my pockets and causes my pants to hang down around my knees which makes it harder to run from a problem
My thoughts.
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Doc Holliday 1950
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38 special
Okay. Everyone knows I'm not an expert. However, if you're going to carry a 38 special, why not just get the same in a 357 mag? that allows you to fire multiple types of rounds depending on your needs and hands.I see no value in a 2" 38 vs. a 357 revolver. Just consider the 357 mag..
Okay. Everyone knows I'm not an expert. However, if you're going to carry a 38 special, why not just get the same in a 357 mag? that allows you to fire multiple types of rounds depending on your needs and hands.I see no value in a 2" 38 vs. a 357 revolver. Just consider the 357 mag..
I would like to comment on the phrase "would you like to be shot with one?" or similar phrases.
Of course the answer is no. But I think its worth mentioning that bad guys sometimes wear body armor, have an adrenaline rush or on something and likely as not, desperate. Given those factors, I don't think I would choose a 38. I wouldn't turn one down if that's all there was but it isn't one I would select one either if other choices were available.
Of course the answer is no. But I think its worth mentioning that bad guys sometimes wear body armor, have an adrenaline rush or on something and likely as not, desperate. Given those factors, I don't think I would choose a 38. I wouldn't turn one down if that's all there was but it isn't one I would select one either if other choices were available.
Cheapshooter
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I can address this question with my personal choice, and reason. Based on my Ruger LCR purchase.
3.6 ounces less carry weight with the 38 Spcl. +P.
That might not be an issue with some, but it was a major consideration for me.
With modern self defense ammo, namely Speer Gold Dot +P Short Barrel, I don't feel my coat pocket snubbie is inadequate.
A few years ago I bought some 38 SPL ammo (from CTD) the was loaded for the 2 " barrel. It was said to have less blast, less recoil and better velocity. If I remember correctly it was Winchester. Has anyone else seen this ammo? I don't pay attention to " the know it all types". I make up my own mind.
I have an S&W 60 stainless with Pachmayr grips, my favorite revolver but not my only revolver. My son will inherit it.
I have an S&W 60 stainless with Pachmayr grips, my favorite revolver but not my only revolver. My son will inherit it.
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Bill DeShivs
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I see no value in a 2" .357 vs. a .38 revolver. The .357 is generally heavier, has a LOT more muzzle blast, a LOT more recoil-making recovery slow, a LOT more noise-all for very little performance gain.
Maybe I am outdated, but I have never known of a BG wearing body armor and a quick phone call to some old friends seems to indicate it is not exactly common, mainly rumor. The main argument against .357 in a small revolver is that the gun is nearly uncontrollable, even for those who have been shooting for a week or two. It is even worse in the very light frame guns.
When S&W came out with their Scandium revolvers, one man reported that in his area the used gun shelves were full of those guns and boxes with 47 rounds of ammo. (One: Yow, that was bad! Two: Is it really be that bad? Three: Yes, it is; trade it in.)
Jim
When S&W came out with their Scandium revolvers, one man reported that in his area the used gun shelves were full of those guns and boxes with 47 rounds of ammo. (One: Yow, that was bad! Two: Is it really be that bad? Three: Yes, it is; trade it in.)
Jim
Agree, not much reason to get a 38-only snub, with the very lightweight J-frames available that shoot both 357 and 38. Who knows, you might need to shoot a bear someday. But knowingly pulling the trigger on a 357 magnum round through one of those guns strikes fear into the hearts of the sternest grizzled men - it hurts like hell, it kicks like hell, and it'll be a bit before you can recover enough to shoot it again if you dare. Meanwhile you're stone deaf if you're not wearing ear protection. And as noted above, the performance of a 357 magnum out of a 2" barrel is not great, though still much faster than a 38 special.
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