Lovin the .38 Special!
- Thread starter ZVP
- Start date
My Model 36 No Dash has all the appearances of being a "Pencil Barrel" but I dunno if it really is? It tapers at the sides. Sure looks pretty in Nickel Plate! Heck it's so short it's hard to tell!
My Model 10-6 is definatelly a HB and I love it! Super steady! Only thing is the front sight is sorta stubby due ro the HB.
I have a.357 Ruger New Model Vaquero that sees a lot of .38 Specials ( Likes the 158RNL Factory loads for accuracy. I shoot Remingyon Golden Saber +P's for serious stuff and trail work, saving the Magnums for Bears LOL! Seriously, the 38Spec is about all ya need even in the Vaquero. It's 4" bbl spits em out hard! I used to have a 6" Model 88 that would shoot factory loads through most any 4" Cedar Fence Post at 10 paces! I hated that revolver, those tempting .357's nearly tore your hand off, so I got rid of it and bought a .45.
The .38's I have now perfetlly fit all my needs and in fact all are Deam Guns of mine. I'm happy with em.
Bought the 36 for $325 and the Model 10 for $200 both used. The Ruger Vaquero was bought new It was going to be my only .357/.38 till these two deals came up.
Reloading?
I don't cause I am deep into airgunning(serious DEEP) and can't afford to buy the components on my now fixed income. My Brother in Law reloads and he helps me learn and saves me tons of money.
We shoot .38's like we used to shoot .22's
I really can't get into reloading and keep feeding airguns expensive pellets and scopes 'n stuff...
Factor in my BP Revolver shooting and supplys and there just isn't enough in the budget!
That's why.
Gosh I wanna go shoot my .38's tomorrow but I think Mother has other plans for me!
BPDave
My Model 10-6 is definatelly a HB and I love it! Super steady! Only thing is the front sight is sorta stubby due ro the HB.
I have a.357 Ruger New Model Vaquero that sees a lot of .38 Specials ( Likes the 158RNL Factory loads for accuracy. I shoot Remingyon Golden Saber +P's for serious stuff and trail work, saving the Magnums for Bears LOL! Seriously, the 38Spec is about all ya need even in the Vaquero. It's 4" bbl spits em out hard! I used to have a 6" Model 88 that would shoot factory loads through most any 4" Cedar Fence Post at 10 paces! I hated that revolver, those tempting .357's nearly tore your hand off, so I got rid of it and bought a .45.
The .38's I have now perfetlly fit all my needs and in fact all are Deam Guns of mine. I'm happy with em.
Bought the 36 for $325 and the Model 10 for $200 both used. The Ruger Vaquero was bought new It was going to be my only .357/.38 till these two deals came up.
Reloading?
I don't cause I am deep into airgunning(serious DEEP) and can't afford to buy the components on my now fixed income. My Brother in Law reloads and he helps me learn and saves me tons of money.
We shoot .38's like we used to shoot .22's
I really can't get into reloading and keep feeding airguns expensive pellets and scopes 'n stuff...
Factor in my BP Revolver shooting and supplys and there just isn't enough in the budget!
That's why.
Gosh I wanna go shoot my .38's tomorrow but I think Mother has other plans for me!
BPDave
Sorry
.I understand, I feel the same way regarding "clip" versus "magazine".
I wonder where and when that description came from as well. As LAH said, it is frequently applied to ARs with lightweight barrels. Now I wonder if that is even the correct term for them.
Its all about personal preference. I like heavy barreled revolvers as well, though on fixed sight guns the half moon front sights on the tapered barrels are easier for my eyes to pick up than a low profile ramp.
Jad0110 Moss Ayub made the point that the front site is faster to pick up on the pencil barreled guns than the heavy barreled guns.
I have a model 15 that of course has the pencil barrel. I found my buddy a 6" model 10 with the pencil barrel and really wish I had bought it for myself. Its a shootin' dude too.
As for the 38 caliber round I have been reloading it since 1980 or so. It was the first round I loaded for. I have lots of brass and a large pile of lead for casting my own bullets and 4 or 5 different bullet molds for the 38 caliber. It is my second most shot round after the 22 LR.
I stupidly sold my RHKP model 10 with the pencil barrel and have been looking for another to replace it. Model 10s seem to have really climbed in price the last couple of years.
Sorry about your head Saxon.
I have a model 15 that of course has the pencil barrel. I found my buddy a 6" model 10 with the pencil barrel and really wish I had bought it for myself. Its a shootin' dude too.
As for the 38 caliber round I have been reloading it since 1980 or so. It was the first round I loaded for. I have lots of brass and a large pile of lead for casting my own bullets and 4 or 5 different bullet molds for the 38 caliber. It is my second most shot round after the 22 LR.
I stupidly sold my RHKP model 10 with the pencil barrel and have been looking for another to replace it. Model 10s seem to have really climbed in price the last couple of years.
Sorry about your head Saxon.
sawdustdad
New member
I've recently become enamored with the .38spl as well. Used to focus on 9mm and magnum loads for .357 and .44. (In a Dan Wesson .357 and a Super Blackhawk, respectively).
Just this week loaded nearly 1000 rounds of .38spl with light loads (5g unique under a plated 125g Xtreme bullet and 2.7g 700x under a cowboy action 125g Missouri lead round nose). I'm shooting a couple hundred rounds/week at this point.
Just this week loaded nearly 1000 rounds of .38spl with light loads (5g unique under a plated 125g Xtreme bullet and 2.7g 700x under a cowboy action 125g Missouri lead round nose). I'm shooting a couple hundred rounds/week at this point.
38 Special is probably my favorite cartridge, although I normally carry a 9mm pistol. So easy to load, accurate, very flexible (can be loaded from mild to wild), etc. I have two 38's, a mid 1980's S&W Model 10-8 (3" heavy barrel) and a J-frame snubby. The Mod. 10 is probably the most accurate handgun I've ever owned and will literally do "one ragged hole" groups at 10 yards all day long....and very close to that even at 25 yards, with a good enough shooter (I am not that good, except occasionally). My J-frame is steel-framed, as I do not like the excessively light alloy-framed J's (too uncomfortable to shoot)....and is an excellent SD gun. I am practicing with it regularly, so that I can add it to my carry rotation.
I gave up 38 Special for a couple of years, in favor of 9mm (and semi-autos)....but an opportunity to get my Mod. 10 back from the friend I sold it to came up a couple of months ago. I jumped on that chance - and I'm very glad I did. I don't think I will ever allow myself to become that foolish again !
I gave up 38 Special for a couple of years, in favor of 9mm (and semi-autos)....but an opportunity to get my Mod. 10 back from the friend I sold it to came up a couple of months ago. I jumped on that chance - and I'm very glad I did. I don't think I will ever allow myself to become that foolish again !
22-rimfire
New member
Back when I had a Colt Python, I shot quite a few 38spl rounds through it and reloaded both 38spl and 357 mag at that point. I migrated away from 38spl for general shooting and shot more 22LR and generally higher powered loadings than 38spl UNTIL the wave of small alloy framed personal carry revolvers became popular. My first was a S&W 442. Then I started picking up a few 38's including a S&W Model 10 with my favorite being the Colt Detective Special for shooting. Basically, I came back and I'm glad that I did. If I want something more powerful, I have that too. The 38spl is a great cartridge/load for the majority of people's shooting that like revolvers. The 45LC also came back with the popularity of cowboy shooting. For the most part, my leanings now are toward downsizing the accumulation a bit but the 38spl will stay.
When I was starting out in shooting I didn't have the time of day for the .38 Special and I thought the Model 10 was lame. Now, it's one of my favorite handgun/cartridge combos. I find that of my guns, the .22's and .38's get shot the most, although the .380 is gaining. The .45's and the lone .44 Magnum not so much.
Model12Win
Moderator
Yup, the ".38 is great" as they say (okay I just made that up LOL) and is one of my favorites to shoot.
Out of a 4" barrel there are some .38 +P loads now that get right up there in low 9mm energy territory, but with heavier bullets. They are good medicine for SD/HD work without too too much noise or blast.
I use Speer Gold Dot .38 special +P 135 grain Short Barrel loads in my S&W 642 for CCW and the same load in my S&W Model 64 for home defense work. The NYPD does the same thing, they issue this same load for both there snubs and full size service revolvers. It makes about 220 ft-lbs from the snub and 300 ft-lbs from the service guns. Not an elephant gun but with good shot placement will solve any 2-legged problem on Earth that's not behind body armor.
Out of a 4" barrel there are some .38 +P loads now that get right up there in low 9mm energy territory, but with heavier bullets. They are good medicine for SD/HD work without too too much noise or blast.
I use Speer Gold Dot .38 special +P 135 grain Short Barrel loads in my S&W 642 for CCW and the same load in my S&W Model 64 for home defense work. The NYPD does the same thing, they issue this same load for both there snubs and full size service revolvers. It makes about 220 ft-lbs from the snub and 300 ft-lbs from the service guns. Not an elephant gun but with good shot placement will solve any 2-legged problem on Earth that's not behind body armor.
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diggler1833
New member
I find that "low recoil and plenty of power" is an oxymoron.
That being said, I own two 64-3 4" S&Ws. They are an absolute pleasure to shoot, and I will not hesitate to use one for a defensive handgun.
That being said, I own two 64-3 4" S&Ws. They are an absolute pleasure to shoot, and I will not hesitate to use one for a defensive handgun.
Mike Irwin
Staff
I have.... 6 I think... .38 Specials, and another 7 or 8 .357 Magnums that see rather more .38s than .357s.
SPEMack618
New member
Pop carried a Model 15 through Gulf War I after being called up by the Air Force. He wasn't a fan of the Beretta.
My M&P has become the LadyFriend's nightstand gun.
With the stock round grips, decent sight radius, and all steel construction, it really fits her as far as handguns go.
My M&P has become the LadyFriend's nightstand gun.
With the stock round grips, decent sight radius, and all steel construction, it really fits her as far as handguns go.
highpower3006
New member
I seldom shoot .357's anymore. Since all I do is shoot reactive targets and punch holes in paper, it makes more sense to shoot .38 specials.
I only have a few guns that are .38 only, but I do like the ones I have.
1950 K38 Masterpiece.
1954 Combat Masterpiece.
M15-3.
"The Beater" M15-2.
And My newest .38 Special, a first model target made in 1901.
Edited to add my DS. Somehow I forgot I had this.
I only have a few guns that are .38 only, but I do like the ones I have.
1950 K38 Masterpiece.
1954 Combat Masterpiece.
M15-3.
"The Beater" M15-2.
And My newest .38 Special, a first model target made in 1901.
Edited to add my DS. Somehow I forgot I had this.
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