CCW: .38 Spl enough?

Longbowshot: Hi! Aren't you terrified that if you empty your .380 into the BG's head and heart that you'll just get him riled up and that he'll hurt you even worse? :D Dennis
 
I used to keep a 357 in the drawer by my bed

But for my ears it was loaded with 38+ps.A 357 is murder in a closed in space like a bed room and if you hit where you shoot a 38 in plenty.
 
Swore I weighed in on this, already, but perhaps that was right before the big crash..

Anyways, I truly believe that 5 rounds of standard .38spl are enough. They've served countless others before me, and no doubt they'll serve many more.

I hope to never be one of those numbers, but I'm prepared to stake it all on them.
 
While I like my .357 very much, in all honesty if you can't get the job done with five rounds of .38 Special you most likely can't get the job done with any handgun. The single, paramount, numero uno, ichi ban, most important factor in using any handgun in self defence is not the caliber, the gun itself, or some other third thing. It is hitting what you shoot at and a .500 S&W won't do a bit of good if it doesn't go where you need it to.
 
I don't claim to be an expert

but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night :)

But seriously folks, my CHL instructor (Fort Worth detective an IPSC guy) advised our class that a reliable, easily carried 38 snub was the way to go. I qualified with my Glock 23, because it is what I brought that day.

But I did some homework, took his advice and bought a 340PD. I carry it with either 125gr 357s or 135gr 38+p, and I'm pretty confident in either load (I know for sure which one hurts less to practice with).

Nice to have the option between 38/357, and I think resale will make the difference.
 
Oct 2, 1996. I was running an investigations unit at the time and was commander of 2 drug task forces. I was off duty and carrying my usual S&W 649 loaded with W-W 158 gr LSWCHP+P. Been carrying that or similar set up off duty for over 20 yrs. In the car I had 2 speed loaders with the same ammo. Total of 15 rds. One of my guys calls and says he's located a federal fugitive holed up in a hotel room. The fedfug was a known baddie, believed himself to be a Goodfellows type, had a bar called "The Bunker" fixed up with sandbags, cammo netting, and military motif. Reported to always be armed and had told people he wouldn't be taken alive. I get the SWAT guys together, the feds, and some of my others. Plans are made to make the arrest.
Long story shorten quite a bit - when we attempt entry into the motel room he opens up on us with a TEC-9 in one hand and a Colt Mustang .380 in the other. The door was only open a second. We hit it with the ram, swung open, hit the wall, and swung shut. It was open about as long as it took you to read that last sentence. During that time he fired 11 rds at us using both guns. Sounded like a machine gun.
I can't tell you how small that 5 shot 649 felt in my hand. I had been doing drug raids for some time. My carry gun, other than shotgun, had been my S&W 645 with the 649 or 49 as a backup. Going thru the doors with that big, shiny 645 and an 870 had always been a comfort. People saw that shiny 645 and it caused several to think twice, and make the right decision. But that night, standing there holding a 649 which I could hold in the palm of my hand, sure did feel undergunned.
Having said that, the 649 is still my summer time off duty carry when nothing else fits the clothes and it's still with me everyday as backup. But when only the 649 can be carried one of my bigger guns won't be too far away. I'm not kicking another door armed with just a 649.
 
But that night, standing there holding a 649 which I could hold in the palm of my hand, sure did feel undergunned.
Click to expand...

If I am ever in a firefight again, I will feel undergunned with anything less than a rifle and a fire-team. If you are actually engaging someone and have confidence in ANY handgun, well, all I'm gonna say is that bravery and stupidity are synonomous in my book.

;)
 
Personally, I would choose the caliber and weapon based on your perceived need. I believe for most of us, a snubbie 38spl revolver that is rated safe for +P ammo is plenty for carry. Then I would practice with +P ammo and keep it loaded with it all the time (practice with what you are going to stake your life on).

If I were in Iraq or worked or had a business in a high crime area, I'd choose a larger caliber. The concealability issue is important and I always go back to the small revolver as my weapon of choice.... simple to operate, load, reliable-does not jam, don't have to worry about how long those magazines were loaded and if they will properly feed... it goes on. The 357 in a snubbie is not fun to shoot other for the thrill. I would get a small 357 revolver if you feel you can conceal it properly as it gives you the option of the 357 mag round if you choose. Frankly, if you are actually going to carry it, I would go with a small 38 spl revolver. If you never expect to use it, I might even consider a 32 H&R revolver which is about like a 38spl.

For the 9mm fans, I just don't like that caliber. In autos, I go with a 40 S&W.
 
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