Hello everyone. I am interested in buying a handgun for both personal and home defense. I have already done a semi-auto post and I have learned a lot from that. If I buy a semi-auto....I already know what I will get. Now on to the revolver. In getting a revolver I am interested in IWB carry or OWB carry but not pocket carry.....such as in jeans. I am trying to understand what is genuine fact and what is just numbers and info that can not be proven. With the semi-auto I have decided to go with the 9mm round. That being said in a carry revolver you have many more choices from .38, .357.44 special, etc. The purpose of this revolver is to use it within the 7 yard self defense distance. I am not like Kickok45 trying to make a S&W 642 shoot 80 yards. LOL I am trying to get past the hype and get down to what really matters. On paper it would seem that the 9mm round is both cheaper and has more punch than the .38 special. It looks good on paper, but in the real world does it really matter? In a semi-auto I would be buying the gun new and under $400 out the door. I want to do the same with a revolver.
I realize that you have the "you get what you pay for" croud. I also realize that most people when buying a revolver will tell you to get a Smith. However, in the under $400 range new you are looking at guns such as the 638 and 642. If you look at a Charter Arms, Taurus, Rossi, etc you can get 38, 357, and 44 special in that price range. What I want to know is this....in a revolver with a barrel length of 1.875-3 inches....is there any real world benefit to a .357 or .44 special over the .38 round? I am looking at small revolvers in the 1.875-3 inch barrel range. Some are five shot and some are six shot. I would like your thoughts.I realize that Charter Arms gets put down based on their past from the 70s-80s. My understanding is that those days are gone now that the company is under proper management. Sure no revolver has the fit and finish nor is a nice to look at as a Smith. However, I am not interested in a pretty gun. I want a gun that shoots well and is reliable. Function over looks and name brand. Thanks again for the help.
I realize that you have the "you get what you pay for" croud. I also realize that most people when buying a revolver will tell you to get a Smith. However, in the under $400 range new you are looking at guns such as the 638 and 642. If you look at a Charter Arms, Taurus, Rossi, etc you can get 38, 357, and 44 special in that price range. What I want to know is this....in a revolver with a barrel length of 1.875-3 inches....is there any real world benefit to a .357 or .44 special over the .38 round? I am looking at small revolvers in the 1.875-3 inch barrel range. Some are five shot and some are six shot. I would like your thoughts.I realize that Charter Arms gets put down based on their past from the 70s-80s. My understanding is that those days are gone now that the company is under proper management. Sure no revolver has the fit and finish nor is a nice to look at as a Smith. However, I am not interested in a pretty gun. I want a gun that shoots well and is reliable. Function over looks and name brand. Thanks again for the help.