Why buy a 38 snub?

[Montell C. Williams]

I have a 3 inch Chief's Special I bought as an off duty gun in 72 and can still tear up a man target at 50 yards, it has full 1/8 inch sights.

A 2 inch 357 is nothing but a LOUD,HARD kicking .38 lots of noise, lots of flash and kick, minimal differance in performance than a .38 spl. A .357 should be at least 3 inch and preferably 4 inch.

[dnar]

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BRILLIANT!


You know its funny you started this thread.
I went to the range yesterday with both my .9mm and .38. First I did a few thru the .9mm then I gave the .38 a chance, put through 5 FMJ'. Ok, it was painful.
Then I put through 5 SJ hollows. AGONY! I thought my hand was broken.
If I ever had to use the .38 in self defense, I would say to the BG, "hey asshole, this guns hurt me just as much as its hurt you".

I agree it hurts while I'm shooting it, but I still LOVE my .38! I guess I must love PAIN! LOL

rand

[Mity2]

38 snubnose are for one reason and one reason only - Easily concealed selfdefence gun at close range.

Its not the gun you take it to target shooting with.
Shoot 10~20rds at every range outing. rest stick it in the pocket and hope for the best.

[LastManOut]

Come out to the Defensive Snubby class and we'll teach you how to fire the mouse gun without killing your hand. Bring 250 rounds or so.

[glassman]

In a self defense situation, no single shot from a pistol of any caliber is a guaranteed man stopper unless placed in the central nervous system. The .38 has less recoil than the .357 and is easier to bring back to POA for a second shot. The .38 snubbie (S&W 642 for example) is small, light and easily concealed.

Here's a test for controlability: Rent a snubbie in .357. Using .357 ammo, put 5 rounds in a 5 inch circle from 5 yards in 5 seconds. Repeat the drill using .38 ammo. Which set was more accurate when done within the 5 second time frame?

[crawford]

I own both a Taraus airlite .38 spl and S&W scandium .357. You know the S&W is gonna hurt when the 5 rounds of ammo weigh more than the gun. I wouldn't have bought a .38 if I'd had the money for the S&W. In my opinion a snub is the ultimate consealment gun, you can hide it anywhere. Size,weight, and a big caliber what else you need!

[SharpShooter88]

Did any of you ever try shooting hot load .38 handloaded rounds out of a .38 cheif special? I did that about 3 weeks or so ago. I have to say it wasn't that bad, but I am not really sensitive to kick. I shot punishers .357 snubby and I love that thing. That is my favorite pistol! It doesn't kick all that hard and when it comes to puttin a hole in a mofo...Those .357 HP rounds will do it well.

Ladies and gents...If you are serious about your self defense, carry 2 firearms. Carry and glock in 9mm or .40 cal and a ruger sp101 .357....You will never come across a problem you cant handle!

[WhiteWolf]

A 2 inch 357 is nothing but a LOUD,HARD kicking .38 lots of noise, lots of flash and kick, minimal difference in performance than a .38 spl. A .357 should be at least 3 inch and preferably 4 inch.

I do have to respectfully disagree with this statement based on my own experience and that of some others:

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/38-snub_vs_357-snub.htm

Also, I while I'm no super man, putting 5 rounds in a 5 inch target in 5 seconds at 5 yards isn't that big a deal. A second a shot is an eternity. My sp101 is DAO and can pull that off in 3 seconds. Not to belabor this but if I had the single action sp101 I could cock the hammer between shots and still get them off one a second. Maybe TGH couldn't do it with his .500 and I probably couldn't do it with an ultra-lite smith (ok, I'm never firing a 357 from an ultra-lite... I like my hand too much) but...

[SharpShooter88]

Well I live my life like this


If I shoot a gun that is powerful enough to rip my hand off....

Well i will have a damn good story to tell now wont I? Punisher said once to me that he will shoot anything, I am starting to see things the same way!

[glassman]

Also, I while I'm no super man, putting 5 rounds in a 5 inch target in 5 seconds at 5 yards isn't that big a deal. (ok, I'm never firing a 357 from an ultra-lite... I like my hand too much) but...

I agree that with practice, this drill isn't extremely difficult. It was meant to demonstrate ability to control the pistol you carry and answer the question, "why buy a .38 snubbie" If you can do it with a .357...good on ya.