Is .38 Special Enough For Self Defense?

[Brown-Bear]

Getting shot is getting shot. Most BG's are gonna sh#t themselves the minute you pull a gun out anyhow and when asked later they will tell their homies you had a .50 anyway. SO basically it boils down to what you are confident with in regards to your shooting abliity. A 38sp would be enough for most any situation I had a stainless Ruger that was a .357 and I used to carry with 38sp as the .357 kicked like a bastard and the 38s were easier to control E.G. better shot placement beats a bigger bullet everyday of the week.

Dave

[nhughesmd]

Try looking up Stephen A Camp's website. I'm pretty sure it is http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com go to the "other guns" tab. As you scroll down you will see a number of comparisons and articles related to the effectiveness of the .38 special. This website influenced me a great deal in purchasing my first snubbie!

[piste]

Answer #1: yes

Answer #2: no

Answer #3: it depends

Answer #4: Search a few forums and read a few gun mags...and you'll get the idea...How many agels DO fit on the end of a pin?

Answer #5: put the bullet in the right place and its more than enough. (See answer #3)

Answer #6: a howitzer is not enough (see answer #3)

Answer #7: Define "enough".

You've asked a question for which there is both no answer and numerous answers.

What car should I drive?

Coke or Pepsi?

Ford or Chevy?

[OneChambered]

I've carried a Taurus 85 5-shot .38 special for years. Conceals well and is very reliable and shootable. I use Federal Hydra-Shoks that will certainly limit the bad guy's ability to do me harm. It's really a matter of placing the shot and allowing the bullet to do its job.

[Pa.Bill]

Originally Posted by the lone gunman

Funny no one has mentioned the noise factor of a full house 357 fired in a snubbie,,,in a defense situation you are not going to put in ear plugs.And you can bet your hearing will be affected really bad. In that case I dont need that problem, I will stick with 38s in my snubbie.

.357 Mag shot fired is 165dbs. That 2mil/second is equal to 40 hrs in a noisy work place.

~GET GOOD EAR PROTESTION~
Bill-------------------------------->

[ccphilly1984]

Originally Posted by OneChambered

I've carried a Taurus 85 5-shot .38 special for years. Conceals well and is very reliable and shootable. I use Federal Hydra-Shoks that will certainly limit the bad guy's ability to do me harm. It's really a matter of placing the shot and allowing the bullet to do its job.

federal hydroshocks suck in .38 special especially in a snubnose. I shot into balistic geletin at the group shoot in monroeville last month, i could reload that shell if i wanted to, no joke. You might as well use fmj's in your .38. one round i tried through the snubby that expanded well was the corbon solid copper hollow points. very good. runs 30 dollars a box on cheaper than dirt.

[Pro2A]

Originally Posted by dragonofpa

I am looking at getting a .38 Special 7 shot revolver (rated +P) and want to know if you think it's a solid choice for self defense in most situations?

Would you stand down range from it? If the answer is no then its good enough

[fingers80002]

Originally Posted by Pro2A

Would you stand down range from it? If the answer is no then its good enough

Yep, I have never had anyone take me up on that offer when they say 9mm isn't enough.

[CommonHighrise]

Originally Posted by NineseveN

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

Am I positive itll work every time? Hell no. Never been in a close range firefight, so not sure just how Ill be interpreting the world around me. However I think of it as a simple backup to counting my shots.

[OneChambered]

ccphilly1984: Thanks for your insight regarding HydraShok ammo...I'll be sure to remember it the next time I'm threatened by a gel tank...having witnessed, however, the effects of HydraShoks on actual flesh and bone, I think I'll continue to depend on them...to each his own.