Is It Worth Getting a .38 Special

M

Mike H

New member
My wife seems to have taken a liking to revolvers and enjoyed shooting a .38 3 inch Ruger the other day.

Thing is, she doesn't much care for .357 and wants just the .38 Spl. I know the .357 will take .38 rounds so it makes me wonder why anyone would buy a dedicated .38.

.38 or .357 which would you choose (and which model in any frame size). The ideal would be a 5 or 6 shot 3 inch bbl.

Thanks,

Mike H
 
My wife was scared of .357 at first as well. If you reload, it's easy to 'ease' her into it. She's now perfectly fine shooting reasonable .357 loads.

Personally, if she can't tell the difference in feel between the .38 and .357 versions of the same model (if available) I'd go with the .357 simply to have more options.

My wife absolutely loves her Taurus Tracker 4" SS. It's not overly big or heavy, has a very nice trigger pull and the porting helps a bit with muzzle flip.

Plus the grips are kinda small (a bit small for me).
 
Well its HER gun right?

3 Inch Sp101 (in either caliber, in case you wanna borrow it) 5-shot

Colt Detective Special 6-shot as a dedicated .38 or the "Magnum Carry" in .357

SW model 65 3 inch .357

The Colt is actually my favorite but the Ruger is still being made.
 
Sometimes I think the whole world is "Magnum Happy". If your wife wants to shoot .38's let her.Get her a good second hand S+W or Ruger.Let her plink with reloads and keep a box of +P's for protection. Practice,practice,practice.
 
she doesn't much care for .357 and wants just the .38 Spl. I know the .357 will take .38 rounds so it makes me wonder why anyone would buy a dedicated .38.
Click to expand...

Just a thought but she might be thinking she would never have to worry about anyone trying to push her into shooting 357's in her gun or having to deal with questions as to why she was shooting 38's in it as opposed to "real" 357's. Frankly I'd get her the 38 special version she appears more comfortable with (for whatever reason) and be happy :D
 
get her the .38

Get her what she wants. It's her gun. You've got your own to shoot. Just get her plenty of practice ammo and some good self defense loads and take her to the range.

I think someone else wrote in a similar thread, "Keep your hands off her guns!" :D

Jeff
 
How long have you been married?

Buy her the one that makes her happy. Can't go wrong. Maybe when the .38 is "old news" she'll want another. :D

Regards,

Mike
 
Mike H, your wife likes the .38 Spec.? Then get her what she wants. Practice a lot and she'll have no problem, should she ever need it for self defense.

Have you ever seen someone who was shot with a good .38 Sp. H.P.?? I have. Believe me, if the shooter is accurate, the .38 Sp., is a fine cartridge, with the high tech hollow points out there, today.

Best of luck. J.B.
 
Let her select her own weapon: would you allow somebody else to select yours?

Don't forget the weight of the weapon, method of carry, and the idea that her choice just might feel right in HER hand.

Wish I could comply with the "hands off her gun" gig, but she cleans the house, so I get to...

And, in any case, I think you lucky.
The best I can get mine to carry, CCW, daily, is a .22 semi.

On reflection, though, anything is better than nothing!
 
Thanks guys.

She started out as very, very recoil shy. But every time she shoots she takes a step towards the next caliber.

I was surprised that she liked the .38 even though we were shooting the most puppy dog soft wadcutters I have ever seen, I doubt they broke 700 fps. Muzzle rise, bang and recoil were still there for all to see, but she loved it and shot every round accurately and in double action too.

When the time comes, I'll let her choose her own, but I want to make sure I present her with all the options.

After trying a 2,3, and 4 inch for "fit" she re-selected the 3 inch saying that it just seemed well balanced in her hand, something I agree with but didn't say in advance in case it swayed her.

I really like the 65 but ultimately it's her choice.

Thanks again and stay safe guys

Mike H
 
There are police trade-in Smith Model 15s available for about $200 in Shotgun News. I have the Model 18, the same gun in .22 and would think the Model 15 would be one of the nicest .38 Specials you could find. The Model 15 has adjustable sights. I like that in a revolver that I intend to use with more than one load.
 
One advantage of .38 special chambered revolvers over .357 chambered revolvers is that if you shoot only .38 special cartridges you will get approx. 50 fps more velocity in the .38 special chamber.

The .38 special +P loads are not to be sneezed at, esp. the 158gr LHPSWC, the old FBI load.
 
Her gun, her choice. I feel quite comfortable with the .38spl. I am on the lookout for a S$W model 10 with a heavy barrel myself. Like I need another gun. I think she'll be happy with a 38.:cool:
 
If you can find a 3" Smith & Wesson model 13 or 65 go for it.
Chambered for the .357 magnum round; but it will also shoot
the .38 Special cartridge. The market is scarce as hen's teeth,
so Good Luck in your pursuit.:D :cool: :)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
There are a bunch of old Colt and S&W .38Spls out there that are lighter than a similar model in .357 would be, as they were never meant to take .357 pressures. Some, like the early S&W M&P/10s and Colt Police Positive Specials were available with "pencil barrels" (skinnier than modern practice) - these had a definate taper to them which is harder to manufacture and is seldom seen anymore.

Most of these old-time critters could SHOOT and shoot well. The Police Positive Special with a 4" tube will weigh less than most .357 3" guns ('cept for the Scandium/Titanium/Unobtainium critters), have a better trigger and are able to handle respectable amounts of .38+P combat grade fodder. You can also get more modern types of grips for 'em, something I'd recommend. Pakmeyer Compacs are an excellent choice. The old-pattern grips didn't fill in the area behind the trigger guard, but that's just a grip-swap away.
 
Mike...

YOU'LL never be happy unless you allow her to select her OWN pistol. I took my wife to the gun shop and stood back as she shopped. She chose a Taurus Total Ti .38 Special in "matte spectrum blue". Like her cellphone, she carries it everywhere. It's rated for +P rounds too. Not too shabby, those +P's.

KR
 
I would be deliriously happy.......

......if my wife would carry and shoot ANYTHING. Consider yourself a lucky man that your wife actually SHOOTS! That being the case, just bend over backwards for her and get her EXACTLY what her heart desires. No brainer, as far as I'm concerned.
 
Experience with 2 different wives.....LET HER PICK HER OWN GUN ! ! !

Ooops, didn't mean to shout. It goes back to the old line "...If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy..."
 
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