Is .38 Special Enough For Self Defense?

[Glockman]

With the wrong ammo the 38 can be wimpy. With the right ammo the 38 can be outstanding. See if you can find a reprint of the Live goat reseach they did in Strausburg Austria. When loaded with Magsafe or Glaser Safety slugs the 38 is a real bad guy stopper. They worked way better than the old FBI hollowpoint load.

[Sigchaser]

God I hope so its what I am issued for duty carry at work. In all honesty I would be more comfortable with a bigger or faster round but I don't lack confidence in the 38 if I do my part and get solid hits it will proform.

[Glockman]

What is the barrel length on your 38. it matters. Are you allowed to suppy your own duty ammo?? If you are restricted to their issued ammo, what is it? I will check on its street performance record.

[Sigchaser]

Originally Posted by Glockman

What is the barrel length on your 38. it matters. Are you allowed to suppy your own duty ammo?? If you are restricted to their issued ammo, what is it? I will check on its street performance record.

4" and no we are issued a 125gr semi jackated hollowpoint. I know it isn't the greatest but I am at least confident about getting soild hits, I train more to make up for the equipment problems.

[JoeyBones]

With accurate shot placement and preferrably a HP bullet running at +p: Your answer is "Yes."

Regards,
-Bones

[Mity2]

I use jacketed HP +p on my snubby.
I think its plenty if you ask me.

38+p out of gun chambered for .357mag(i.e Heavy) is much easier to accurately shoot then same gun loaded with full .357magnum load.
There for I can put 2 on chest much more effectively then 357mag...

I just wish my DA trigger stroke is bit shorter..

[Shawn G]

Yes It is enough.
One point I would mention is the the ultralight 38 kicks and is not as accurate as a more heavy solid gun.

[CommonHighrise]

I carry a 125gr +P hardball .38 as my 6th round* in my Ruger, along with the other 5 115gr JHP .357s. While its the weak round in the bunch, I dont doubt it's ability to penetrate into a badguy and do a little harm.

*Its always loaded to be the 6th shot fired, so even if I lose count of my rounds fired, Ill be able to feel the dropoff in horsepower as I go empty, and will know its time to freshen the cylinder. Neat little trick I picked up from a guy whos done alot of work behind wheelguns.

[NineseveN]

Originally Posted by CommonHighrise

I carry a 125gr +P hardball .38 as my 6th round* in my Ruger, along with the other 5 115gr JHP .357s. While its the weak round in the bunch, I dont doubt it's ability to penetrate into a badguy and do a little harm.

*Its always loaded to be the 6th shot fired, so even if I lose count of my rounds fired, Ill be able to feel the dropoff in horsepower as I go empty, and will know its time to freshen the cylinder. Neat little trick I picked up from a guy whos done alot of work behind wheelguns.

If you can manage to ascertain that in the middle of fighting for your life, you're all kinds of awesome.

[4XLT]

to the Original Question... absolutely !!!