Would you feel safe carrying a .38 Special

[La Grenouille]

Surprised that it's nearly impossible to find Win/Fed/Rem LSWC-HP now (at least from the major online distributors)

[philss]

Speer 135 gr. jhp .38+p

[bflying]

No worries with the .38, and I carry one often. I think it's loaded with Hydra-shoks. With only 5 rounds, I'm not thinking about an extended firefight, just a distract and run. But that has sort of been my philosophy with any gun I carry. I may carry a BUG, but do not bother with extra mags or speed loaders for any of my carry guns.

What I like about my Taurus Ultra-Lite .38 Special is that it's easy to conceal, very light on the belt, and completely dummy proof. Rides in an Old World OWB, or an Uncle Mikes neoprene sleeve for back pocket carry.

http://www.taurususa.com/product-det...egory=Revolver

[WrongWay]

I carry a S&W 642 Airweight loaded w/Speer GoldDot 125 gr hp.

[waterman]

Originally Posted by La Grenouille

Surprised that it's nearly impossible to find Win/Fed/Rem LSWC-HP now (at least from the major online distributors)

Try BudsGunShop.com.

[La Grenouille]

Originally Posted by waterman

Try BudsGunShop.com.

Ya that's the cheapest place I've found so far

[ggun]

Yes. Hornady JHP/XTP 158 Grain 800 fps

[acroman]

Originally Posted by CalWhit33

Alot of variables come into play when deciding on a carry gun. My main choice right now is the SW642 with 158 HP (not +P). Mine has the lock I have yet to have an issue with it locking and I shoot that thing alot. Like some have mentioned its all about trade offs. I live in a safe area and stay aware of my surroundings, so a light weight 5 round .38 fits the bill for what I need. When I head to the big city I take the .45. Not sure how your state is but in TX if you take a conceal carry license with a revolver you are limited to a revolver but if you take it with an auto you can carry either.

You would think it should be the other way around.Stupid law huh?

[SINJUN]

Fully confident. I carry the old FBI load of 158 grain lead semi wadcutter hollow point. I qualify with it every year as a back up and off duty weapon.

[1911crazy]

My most accurate 357mag load is the 140gr JHP speer its pin point accurate to 100yds with my 6'' barrel. I wonder now how good would the 38 special handle the 140gr JHP bullets too?

[TATER SALAD]

Yes I would! Been gut shot with a 22LR. I would not want anything bigger!! Also my safety comes from knowing if I ever have to fire, it will be bang bang bang bang bang, check to see if threat still coming. Dont think I wont beat somebody with an empty gun, but statistics show it shouldnt come to that.

[COF]

I've got an old DAO Ruger Sevice Six I turned into a Speed Six by cutting the barrel to 3", round butting it and having it beadblasted for a dull finish. It's a little heavier than the j frame but it does the trick. I load it with 158 JHP.

Jerry

[remat457]

Another Speer GoldDot 135gr +P user in my Airweight. Why? Because it is a bonded bullet designed specifically for snubnoses. I use to carry 158gr+P LSWC but it is really hard to find locally and a pain to clean.

[SW1911 ES]

Yes, S&W 642 with Hornady 110 gr. FTX ...

And shot placement.

[zdragon52]

By zdagon52 at 2012-07-03

[CATM93]

Yes I would feel safe. I have been carrying a Model 36 Chief Special in an ankle holster for at least twenty years now. The load I carry is two rounds Glasser Safety Slugs, followed by three rounds of 172 grain hard cast Keith style semi wadcutters. I put an ammo wallet holding an additional eighteen rounds in it in my back pocket. I have shot this revolver so much that the blueing is missing from the grip and around the trigger area. I know where it hits and am very comfortable with it. Even when I am carrying a .45 Automatic, chances are that I will also have my .38 Special on as back-up.

[trockstroh]

I carried an S&W 642 and I even had to pull it (Not Shoot it) once and I would have had faith that it would have stopped the water trash who was threatening me dead in his tracks.

[Mark Robinson]

Whenever I carry a revolver it's loaded with 158gr .38Spl LSWCHP+P.

[La Grenouille]

Originally Posted by trockstroh

water trash

Well there's one I've never heard before, will admit that I actually had to look it up

[DDEAN252]

no, i don't carry anything smaller than a .45 myself.

[MAG-63]

Yes. Some 22 years ago, our issue-revolver was the 4" Model 10HB stoked with the classic "FBI" loads. Winchester 110g +P Silvertips, and 125g Federal Hydra-Shoks were also authorized, and I carried those too at times. The normal load was 6 in the cylinder plus 2 HKS speedloaders in pouches on the belt. A whopping 18 rounds, yet I never felt under-armed.

[Big Pete10]

I do. 125gr. plus p.

[Paladin'sDen]

It absolutely depends on where I'm going and at what time of day. Have 3 .38s(5 and 6-shot) and have SP101(.357). IF I'm just walking over to a neighbors in broad daylight I'll pick the lightest or the 5-shot .38. IF I'm going 2 miles down the road near dark and walking back in the dark; .357 with numerous additional rounds. I live in a very rural area. Skunks, Snakes, Coyotes, Feral Hogs, and even wild dogs in one case, have crossed my path. .357 is a MINIMUM at night. But truth be told I usually carry a P220 with 2 extra mags, or an EMP(.40) because they both have night sights.
In urban areas where stuff seems to happen more frequently, and quickly, I've most always carried a big-bore Auto.

You might see if Albert's still produces the 146 gr. Swaged Lead Hydro-Shok. That's a great low velocity home defense round, IMHO. Won't blow your eardrums out if fired inside. Also designed to transfer ALL energy to target. NOT go thru.

[doc540]

CorBon DPX with all-copper Barnes bullets

[FrankinCA]

.38 is absolutely reliable. I'd carry Hornady110 gr. For quicker follow up shots.