How do y'all feel about .38 for CCW/deffense?

SGT278ACR · 08-17-2012, 09:37

I carry a Glock 26 for CCW, but am thinking about getting a Taurus 85 Ultralite .38 for my wife (ideal because she's not that gun savvy) or maybe for me just to have as an alternative choice for my CCW. Academy Sports has them for $279. Pretty affordable for a a simple CCW. What are your opinions about .38 for CCW? Thanks in a advance for the input/advice.

glock_19guy1983 · 08-17-2012, 09:40

Its been sending pieces of **** to the dirt nap for over 100 years. Nuff said

Bren · 08-17-2012, 09:43

I carry it, but I don't have the greatest confidence. if you are using a 5-shot .38, get good ammo.

ronin.45 · 08-17-2012, 09:52

I don't currently have a .38, but I've carried one with confidence in the past. Loaded properly it is more than sufficient.

4 glocks · 08-17-2012, 10:08

I like Speer Gold Dot 135g +P SB

**thisaway** · 08-17-2012, 10:18

With good ammo, a .38 is sufficient. The new Taurus models usually feature good factory grips, too.

dbak · 08-17-2012, 10:18

Trust the round, not that gun

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ViennaGambit · 08-17-2012, 10:22

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE have your wife shoot a .38 snubby first.

They are not pleasant or manageable for a lot of guys, let alone women. They hurt to shoot +P and require a very decent amount of training to become proficient with.

A .38 snubby is NOT a beginners gun.

ViennaGambit · 08-17-2012, 10:25

With that said, some non +P buffalo bore semi wadcutter hollow points will do the trick nicely.

ca survivor · 08-17-2012, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbak

Trust the round, not that gun

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agree + 1

firefighter4215 · 08-17-2012, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4 glocks

I like Speer Gold Dot 135g +P SB

Me too.

mac66 · 08-17-2012, 10:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViennaGambit

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE have your wife shoot a .38 snubby first.

They are not pleasant or manageable for a lot of guys, let alone women. They hurt to shoot +P and require a very decent amount of training to become proficient with.

A .38 snubby is NOT a beginners gun.

This.

A Taurus is not the one I would choose.

**janice6** · 08-17-2012, 10:35

My wife carries a .38 cal (among others) and she shoots it well. She is 73 years old and can't rack a slide on a semi-auto.

It's very effective when properly applied.

cowboywannabe · 08-17-2012, 10:49

a .38spl is a good round though reduced in power from a 2" bbl it can still get the job done well with +p ammo. for your non gun savvy wife id recommend a softer shooting load (non +p).

im in no way a fan of a built in lock on a gun so i can not recommend the current taurus line up, but some people dont have an problem with the built in lock so $279 is a steal on a new gun.

dakrat · 08-17-2012, 10:54

if she can shoot it and hit the target, why not? much emphasis on "hitting the target".

wirenut · 08-17-2012, 11:33

lots of good points and advice.

WoodenPlank · 08-17-2012, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViennaGambit

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE have your wife shoot a .38 snubby first.

They are not pleasant or manageable for a lot of guys, let alone women. They hurt to shoot +P and require a very decent amount of training to become proficient with.

A .38 snubby is NOT a beginners gun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac66

This.

A Taurus is not the one I would choose.

Both of these.

OP, I would suggest looking at S&W, preferably in a (smaller) K-frame, or a J-frame with some kind of oversized grips. A compact, snub nosed 38 can definitely SUCK in terms of recoil with good .38 defense ammo, but the slightly larger grip of a K frame can help with that. I have an older Taurus .357 (can't remember model - 2" barrel with K-frame sized grips) that is still a handful with .38 loads, but it's MUCH easier than my old 442 J frame was.

There is also the option of the ported J frame in .38 Special - it definitely helps with muzzle climb, but the muzzle blast can be quite nasty, and it is NOT a gun to be fired in a close-contact scenario.

FLglockdude · 08-17-2012, 11:38

Find someone or somewhere that will let her shoot it first. A lightweight small frame revolver is not a beginners gun. They are hard to shoot accurately and have a lot of recoil.

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USMC03Grunt · 08-17-2012, 11:41

The old .38 snub has been a CCW favorite for decades. It wasn't until recently that it lost a bit of it's status to compact autos but it will certainly get the job done.
As far as a Taurus 85, I have an 85CH DAO that has never given me a bit of problems. Granted these days it's role isn't so much for CCW but it is my primary snake gun at work loaded with 5 rounds of snakeshot fr the prairie rattlers out here.

WoodenPlank · 08-17-2012, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMC03Grunt

The old .38 snub has been a CCW favorite for decades. It wasn't until recently that it lost a bit of it's status to compact autos but it will certainly get the job done.
As far as a Taurus 85, I have an 85CH DAO that has never given me a bit of problems. Granted these days it's role isn't so much for CCW but it is my primary snake gun at work loaded with 5 rounds of snakeshot fr the prairie rattlers out here.

I'm guessing your Taurus is an older model? It seems that they have had more issues with newer production than they used to.

ViennaGambit · 08-17-2012, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodenPlank

Both of these.

OP, I would suggest looking at S&W, preferably in a (smaller) K-frame, or a J-frame with some kind of oversized grips. A compact, snub nosed 38 can definitely SUCK in terms of recoil with good .38 defense ammo, but the slightly larger grip of a K frame can help with that. I have an older Taurus .357 (can't remember model - 2" barrel with K-frame sized grips) that is still a handful with .38 loads, but it's MUCH easier than my old 442 J frame was.

There is also the option of the ported J frame in .38 Special - it definitely helps with muzzle climb, but the muzzle blast can be quite nasty, and it is NOT a gun to be fired in a close-contact scenario.

I love my 642, but depending on how she will carry, the Ruger SP101 2" is a JOY to shoot .38's out of. It definitely heavier, but its really a great gun that both of you can enjoy - it will take .357s as well for that fun factor

I guess a lot depends on how it will be carried (on her body or purse carry) and how much time she is willing to commit to the range...

I would say look to S&W or Ruger instead of Taurus - for 50 to 100 more you can get a gun that will last forever, IMHO.

SGT278ACR · 08-17-2012, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMC03Grunt

The old .38 snub has been a CCW favorite for decades. It wasn't until recently that it lost a bit of it's status to compact autos but it will certainly get the job done.
As far as a Taurus 85, I have an 85CH DAO that has never given me a bit of problems. Granted these days it's role isn't so much for CCW but it is my primary snake gun at work loaded with 5 rounds of snakeshot fr the prairie rattlers out here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodenPlank

I'm guessing your Taurus is an older model? It seems that they have had more issues with newer production than they used to.

See... I was wondering about that. In the past year or so I've heard about all the issues with Taurus', but The jist I got was that their semi autos were the problem children and their revolvers were still good to go. I actually started out with a Taurus PT709 Slim 9mm for my CCW, but found out quickly I didn't like, then made the switch to Glock 26.

USMC03Grunt · 08-17-2012, 13:41

Hmm, I want to say I got the 85CH around the mid to late 90's.

GlockFish · 08-17-2012, 14:06

I think carrying a 38 is great protection..... As long as you use good ammo, IMO.
Speer makes great stuff designed for short barrels. Federal makes the old FBI heavy loads. Double Tap and Buffalo Bore ammo really shines in modern 38's.

Just don't use this stuff.

***Dalton Wayne*** · 08-17-2012, 14:27

Carry a Smith & Wesson 442 everyday even open carry at work behind the counter of a C-store where I work, carry +P ammo my bug is a 9mm 9x18 mak