Rocky Road
Retired Screen Name
WELL armed? No, nope, uh-uh, no way! But better than being unarmed..
In days of yore, as a brand new deppity shurf in Fort Worth, I had a .357 S&W (pre agreement, of course---it was 33 years ago, for crying out loud!) I had a few other handguns, but, when a retiring deputy put an as-new Chief's Special (PA,OC) up for fifty bucks, I just HAD to have it.
I had been reading Elmer Keith's SIXGUNS and knew that the 158 LRN, especially from a short barrel, was a very poor stopper, so I went out and ordered some Winchester Luballoy 200 gr. Super Police ammo, and thought myself better armed. Super Vel 110 gr. JHP was just a rumor in early 1967.
When I did a little junkyard testing, I found that the 200 gr stuff would not penetrate car side window safety glass with the first round. If I put a second hit in the same place, it would usually go through, but let's be real - - - Also, it would BOUNCE OFF 1/2 inch plywood about half the time. Even then, I was bright enough to realize I would seldom be attacked by plywood or auto glass, but it didn't give me a lot of comfort. I eventually settled on Remington .38/44 High Speed ammo, and, many years later, on the 158 LSWCHP "Dallas PD" or "FBI" load.
That Chiefs became my wife's primary sidearm, on the theory that she wouldn't carry anything larger. I packed a .380 PPK as a backup or warm weather off duty piece for a while. When I made plainclothes and was able to carry a .45 auto, I stayed with the PPK for a time, but was uneasy on those HOT shirtsleeve days. I evaluated the whole market and in 1976, went to Dallas and bought a new Model 37 Airweight Chiefs Special. The theory was that this was the LEAST gun with which I could feel fairly comfortable as main battery. It was like unto a multi-shot derringer, to get someone off me, and accurate enough to be fairly precise out to 20 yards or so. I still have that little gun, and switch it off with a Colt Agent two inch .38.
My sidearm of choice is still a .45 Commander, but when circumstances demand something smaller, the .38 snub is there.
I have no illusions about being able to take on multiple opponents with just that. Two is a realistic maximum, unless a real guy thing demands a suicide charge to save children or something. (No, that has NEVER happened to me, and I get sweaty just imagining such a scenario.)
I know, the Kel Tec and Kahr poly frame 9mms are a beter, up to date choice, if I was using the 125 gr. .38 loads, which I'm not. The small autos are flatter and hold more ammo. but I'm comfortable with my snub .38s, and I already own them.
Best regards,
JPG
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---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---
In days of yore, as a brand new deppity shurf in Fort Worth, I had a .357 S&W (pre agreement, of course---it was 33 years ago, for crying out loud!) I had a few other handguns, but, when a retiring deputy put an as-new Chief's Special (PA,OC) up for fifty bucks, I just HAD to have it.
I had been reading Elmer Keith's SIXGUNS and knew that the 158 LRN, especially from a short barrel, was a very poor stopper, so I went out and ordered some Winchester Luballoy 200 gr. Super Police ammo, and thought myself better armed. Super Vel 110 gr. JHP was just a rumor in early 1967.
When I did a little junkyard testing, I found that the 200 gr stuff would not penetrate car side window safety glass with the first round. If I put a second hit in the same place, it would usually go through, but let's be real - - - Also, it would BOUNCE OFF 1/2 inch plywood about half the time. Even then, I was bright enough to realize I would seldom be attacked by plywood or auto glass, but it didn't give me a lot of comfort. I eventually settled on Remington .38/44 High Speed ammo, and, many years later, on the 158 LSWCHP "Dallas PD" or "FBI" load.
That Chiefs became my wife's primary sidearm, on the theory that she wouldn't carry anything larger. I packed a .380 PPK as a backup or warm weather off duty piece for a while. When I made plainclothes and was able to carry a .45 auto, I stayed with the PPK for a time, but was uneasy on those HOT shirtsleeve days. I evaluated the whole market and in 1976, went to Dallas and bought a new Model 37 Airweight Chiefs Special. The theory was that this was the LEAST gun with which I could feel fairly comfortable as main battery. It was like unto a multi-shot derringer, to get someone off me, and accurate enough to be fairly precise out to 20 yards or so. I still have that little gun, and switch it off with a Colt Agent two inch .38.
My sidearm of choice is still a .45 Commander, but when circumstances demand something smaller, the .38 snub is there.
I have no illusions about being able to take on multiple opponents with just that. Two is a realistic maximum, unless a real guy thing demands a suicide charge to save children or something. (No, that has NEVER happened to me, and I get sweaty just imagining such a scenario.)
I know, the Kel Tec and Kahr poly frame 9mms are a beter, up to date choice, if I was using the 125 gr. .38 loads, which I'm not. The small autos are flatter and hold more ammo. but I'm comfortable with my snub .38s, and I already own them.
Best regards,
JPG
------------------
---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---