Some people talk out their butts instead of their mouths, usually letting what they are going to say bypass the brain.

 

Amen to this one.:hand10:

 

Your gun shop commando has probably never seen anyone shot with a 38.

 

He's probably never even FIRED a .38 before!!:aargh4:

 

.38 special has been killing people for over 100 years.

 

Yep a .38 will kill just like other rounds. It's got a long history.

 

Try a +p load...:yup:
Can be a handful on BOTH ends!:image035:

 

he probably wants to sell you a more expensive weapon so he can make more money:comeandgetsome:

 

Carry one most everyday. +P. 1 7/8" barrel provides surprising accuracy. I think your guy should be selling something other than firearms. His advice could turn dangerous at some point. Next time, remind him that the 22 has been a favorite of a certain, uh..... family businesses for decades. But then, those folks understand placement and double tap. Never mind.

 

If the 38 Special is so underpowered ask him if he would be willing to stand down range of you and let himself be shot by one.

Biker

 

If the 38 Special is so underpowered ask him if he would be willing to stand down range of you and let himself be shot by one.Biker

Yeah and you'll allow him to wear extra clothes too!

 

If I absolutely had to choose between being shot in the azz with a .38 or a .45 (with the other option involving complete removal of my head from my shoulders, for instance), sure, I'd pick the .38.

But if I had to choose between defending myself with a .38 close-at-hand and a .45 over yonder, the .38 would do just fine.

The whole this caliber-that-caliber argument will never be settled definitively. It is much, much more a matter of shot placement and dumb luck in real life. Would I ever recommend somebody carry something like a .25 or similar gun as their primary defensive weapon? No. But anything from a .38 Spec. on up, when used by a competent shooter, will generally get the job done pretty darn close to equally well.

 

The statement may be based on the old "widow maker" stories about cops who found that the .38 revolver was ineffective against a determined attacker. (if the statement was based on facts at all). Now back then, they used FMJ bullets and no +P loads if I remember right. These days, with modern hollow point bullets and +P loads you should be fine. I carry a J-Frame quite a bit as backup or if my Sig229 is just too big.

As for accuracy: I wouldn't try a 50yd hostage rescue head shot with it. But for standard "street fights", it should work just fine. My J-Frame is painful enough to shoot with +P loads so I can only imagine the pain a BG will feel on the other side of the barrel.

 

Even the .357 is too weak.
A NY cop got shot in the face at point blank range and not only she survived it, but eventually went back to work (office).

Jeff Cooper (my guru) always said that handguns didn't have the power to end a confrontation now.
However, it is uncomfortable to carry a 12 ga. concealed especially in South Florida :image035:

Like other said, shot placement is paramount.

The only caliber I would not use is the .25. I have seen a guy shot 3 times in the belly in a bar brawl. The shooter was 3 weeks in hospital.
The victim was back drinking beer an hour later ...
And maybe a .25 in the eye is better than nothing ??? Who knows.

 

.38 special to weak for self defense
Yes this is what a local gun shop commando told me today,he said and I quote "that little .38 out of that short barrel is only gonna piss 'em off and if you gotta shoot through any heavy clothing forget about it"

You should have ask him, "Then you wouldn't mind if I shoot you with one?" I have a feeling his opinion of this weak little pea shooter would change REAL fast!

 

I was gonna ask him is he wanted to take a few to see how ineffective they are for himself,but decided not to waste my time. I guess some people can't be taught over they just know what they know(or think they know) at least.

I've honestly never felt under gunned or unprotected with either of my .38 snubs on me.

 

He's "clueless"... you can't fix stupid.

 

I would trust my life with a 38 Revolver.

 

I did for years as an LEO. On top of that I lost a son to a .38. Don't tell me they are weak!

 

that is the problem with some gun store comandos. they just don't know what they are talking about. i see it day in and day out on the job,, more "bs" than you put in the back of a pickup truck.

 

The .38 spl gained quite a reputation for being underpowered, but once the Rem +p 158gr LSWC FBI load came out, things got a lot better. I read one time that it was refered to as the .38 that hits like a .357. (a bit of exageration perhaps.) One shot stop percentages for LEOs increased substantially with the advent of better ammo. I still prefer that round in a 4" revolver, because of it's proven track record.

I think that with the right ammo, the .38 spl is plenty potent. It is where I draw the line and will not carry anything smaller, but it is what I carry 95% of the time, with either 135gr Gold Dot SB or the Remington Load.

I have shot several animals with both rounds, we raised pigs for meat most of my life and dad still does. After seeing my dad shoot stuff multiple times with a .22 to get it to die, I swore than I would always use enough gun when I buthcered animals. Large pigs are not easy to kill, their flesh is tough, but their internal organs are much like humans. With a .38spl, one shot at close range has always done the trick rather quickly whether it be a head shot or a heart lung shot. (no more than say 15ft, but heads tend to move around more, so why risk a miss?) Some pigs just aint friendly enough to get close and shoot in the head, so if I'm a few feet away, I'd shoot for the heart. They all died every time.

 

I wouldn't want to get shot with one!

 

If your caliber doesn't start with a 5 you aren't carrying enough gun. Anybody should be able to hide and carry the 30 lbs of a Barret .50 Cal in summer clothes with a good IWB holster and belt. Sheez, I can't believe the woosy wimps that write into these forums!

Please excuse the Crayola, they don't let us have sharp pointy things here.

 

John Lennon was shot in his PJs, at his front door.

The .38 will work just fine, shot placement is what matters with any pistol.

 

Ummm, actually, I think he and Yoko were coming into the Dakota from the sidewalk.

 

Did a fine job on Lee Harvey Oswald.

 

There is nothing wrong with the 38 Special when applied apropriately. As for the gunshop commando he was probably a Dirty Harry want-a-be or a Tackleberry.

 

There is nothing wrong with the 38 Special when applied apropriately. As for the gunshop commando he was probably a Dirty Harry want-a-be or a Tackleberry.

:haha: So whats wrong with Tackleberry??! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

 

If that were me, Id find out how he ranked at the store, just an employee etc.. and I would say to the owner, these are the kinds of ignorant people your have working here, I d suggest teaching him about guns or I'm not coming back to listen to his crap. You don't go to a gun store to hear BS, you want that turn on the news.

 

Yes this is what a local gun shop commando told me today,he said and I quote "that little .38 out of that short barrel is only gonna piss 'em off and if you gotta shoot through any heavy clothing forget about it".

Well then there's thousands of "pissed off" dead people in cemetarys.

 

point a 22 at me, it still looks like a cannon..a 38 is even BIGGER!

 

I wouldn't want to be on the other end of my S & W Airweight 442 loaded with +P hollow point rounds.