Is .38 Special Enough For Self Defense?

[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?

[novice]

Are you talking a Taurus 817, maybe? They also make the 617 in .357 magnum, which gives you more options. .357 kick like a mule in my steel 617, and I've heard they're worse in ultralight alloy guns. Hard to control. Many differing opinions out there.

My avatar is a Ruger SP101. Only 5 shots in .38 special, but a very solid piece.

Here's a thread: Why buy a .38 snub

and a search on the topic .38:
Google ".38 siteafoa.org"

that should be google the term ".38 site[colon]pafoa.org"

[theSaj]

I imagine in most circumstances people aren't wearing body armor. Most criminals are quite chicken when they no longer have the edge. A .38SP+ will go through most people.

Will it have the stopping power, perhaps not as much as some larger caliber. Though, you can probably find a more concealable .38SP then .45 Magnum.

On the flip side, a .45 Magnum may have a lot more stopping power. But how controlled are you with it. You may find yourself in a situation where you aren't in a position to hold your handgun properly to fire a heavy caliber accurately. Where as you might be able to handle the .38SP even from an awkward position.

I think there are pluses and minus' to all ammunition types.

[ca2pa]

I just purchased a taurus 605, in .357 mag, this also takes .38 special. While at the range i was surprised how little to no recoil i felt with the 38 specials. I found it extremely easy to shoot and get back on target quickly. Now once i fired the 357 rounds, it was a different story. MUCH MUCH more recoil and plenty more difficult to control than the 38, BUT not impossible. After about 10 rounds i quickly got the hang of it and found a very comforting grip, i wasnt able to get back on target as fast as with the 38 round, but thats to be expected. There is no comparison in stopping power between these two obviously, and this pistol is easy to conceal. I recommend you try shooting the 357's and if its a bit much, try another caliber. Granted any caliber will do damage within a few feet, its just how comfortable you feel with it and how accurate you can shoot it. As it makes no sense having a .357 MAGNUM that you are going to flinch at or be scared of when pulling the trigger.

P.S. My brother had a friend/co-worker tell him his 9mm wasnt worth sh**, had no stopping power (co-worker carried a .45 acp), blah blah blah. So my brother politely asked him that if he was that confident in his statement, he should be willing to prove it to him by standing 20 feet away and allowing my brother to double tap him in the chest with his "piece of sh**." Of course the "ignorant" shut his mouth and told him he was crazy. My brother told him he was crazy for thinking such a thing..LOL i thought it was kind of funny.

[fultonCoShooter]

YES its enough

[God's Country]

YES its enough

...Ditto

[Lycanthrope]

...Ditto

Copy that.

Lycanit'senoughthrope

[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.

[PAUL CHAMBERLAIN]

If you do your part and put the bullet where it needs to go, it is enough for self defense.

[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.