Is .38 Special Enough For Self Defense?

[LastManOut]

I carry a 38 in a pocket holster. I spent a few extra bucks on the best ammo I could find for it. Here is a great article on the ammo I carry. http://www.handgunsmag.com/ammunitio...507/index.html

I got some very good marks. I loved the penetration and expansion this round gets. I'm confident it will do what I need it to do. Note, no lead. It is a solid brass bullet.

The odds are in your favor that the round will expand as shown in your photo. The FBI study I attempted to refer to earlier found that about 40% (??) of the time the bullet will not expand, often due to heavy clothing or soft tissue. Denim fabric IIRC was the worst, as the fibers would "clog" the tip and prevent expansion. Different results than when using ballistic gel.

Not knocking your choice, I switched to ball or wadcutters to penetrate as deep and theoretically destroy as much tissue as possible.

[glassman]

I had this discussion with a friend who has a lot more experience than I do. His statement was, "If they're worth shooting once, they're worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap, life is expensive". That conversation led to being able to control the weapon and bringing it back to POA for a followup shot and being able to put the bullet where you want it. In short, it's all about placement.

[Charlie B]

Ballistic gel commonly illustrates, but does not prove, the maximum upset which can occur to a projectile in soft tissue. The actual result in living tissue will be moderately different, and only yield a rough estimate of bullet penetration depth in soft tissue, and does not take into account bone or heavy layers of clothing, etc. It’s all about placement.

[1911shooter]

I carry a 38special with 158gr lead wadcutter hollow points as a backup to my 1911, in my current profession i had to use the 38 as it was in my hand in my pocket when escorting a client to his car, the wound channel was very nasty as all are dont get me wrong but it just seemed to destroy alot of tissue quick, i whole heartedly think its enough.

[Michele]

I carry a 38special with 158gr lead wadcutter hollow points as a backup to my 1911, in my current profession i had to use the 38 as it was in my hand in my pocket when escorting a client to his car, the wound channel was very nasty as all are dont get me wrong but it just seemed to destroy alot of tissue quick, i whole heartedly think its enough.

Truthfully, hows the recoil with the 158gr lead wadcutter hollows.
Any SJ hollows i've used really really really hurt.
I am curious about the wadcutters. Some else recommended them too.
Do you think the wadcutters are the best for personal protection?
Thanks!

[1911shooter]

Truthfully, hows the recoil with the 158gr lead wadcutter hollows.
Any SJ hollows i've used really really really hurt.
I am curious about the wadcutters. Some else recommended them too.
Do you think the wadcutters are the best for personal protection?
Thanks!

it gives a good thumpin' but for the amount you will shoot it compared to the amount its carried its worth the trade off, i can only shoot about 50 of the a session and my hand starts shaking and it hurts, but i like them and they get the job done very nicely.

[Michele]

it gives a good thumpin' but for the amount you will shoot it compared to the amount its carried its worth the trade off, i can only shoot about 50 of the a session and my hand starts shaking and it hurts, but i like them and they get the job done very nicely.

I would imagine 158gr would be a wallop!
I alternate between fmj ball and 125 gr sj hollows. I finally got used to the fmj's and now the gun is comfortable for me. At first I hated it. It hurts. Now that i've learned a different way to shoot it, I love it. When I put the sj's in I can only do about 5 maybe 10 then its agony. Get the ice pak! Then I switch to the .9mm for some comfort. I alternate with the .9mm and I can't tell the difference in ammo. But the .38 WOW!

[1911shooter]

I would imagine 158gr would be a wallop!
I alternate between fmj ball and 125 gr sj hollows. I finally got used to the fmj's and now the gun is comfortable for me. At first I hated it. It hurts. Now that i've learned a different way to shoot it, I love it. When I put the sj's in I can only do about 5 maybe 10 then its agony. Get the ice pak! Then I switch to the .9mm for some comfort. I alternate with the .9mm and I can't tell the difference in ammo. But the .38 WOW!

i use the 125gr in my 357 snubbie they are nice and work well also. i use a 9mm for the house, and it shoots wonderful with the 147gr hp's and also 124gr. if you want some real fun shoot a Ruger Alaskan in .454casull with the 2-1/4" barrel. talk about a wallop.

[Michele]

i use the 125gr in my 357 snubbie they are nice and work well also. i use a 9mm for the house, and it shoots wonderful with the 147gr hp's and also 124gr. if you want some real fun shoot a Ruger Alaskan in .454casull with the 2-1/4" barrel. talk about a wallop.

I shot the .357 +p and man did that hurt.
I use the sj hollows for carry, not for the range. They are just too expensive. And hurt to much to play with.
In the .9mm, its an XD sub compact, it eats anything and all the same way. Its a fun gun. I keep a loaded mag of hydra-shock for the house only. Way to expensive to blow at the range. I did put 2 through at the range and there was no difference.
I carry the .38 all the time. I carried the .9mm 3 times, and one time i'm glad I did.

[1911shooter]

I like to be able to put my hand in my pocket and know its there i can have it when i need it and no one knows i have ahold of it. i'm glad i had mine on me one day also.