"The .38 revolvers used by the army back then had little effect on the muslim fighters who would often use a local narcotic before going into battle."
Whats the Box O Truth quote?: A pistol is a pistol and a rifle is a rifle. The only reason you should use your pistol is to get BACK to the rifle you shouldn't have set down in the first place.
Seriously, a .38 is perfectly adequate a short ranges. Think "C O M" and practice, practice, practice. Move when you practice. Go to the woods, find a suitable clearing and set out 4x4x4 blocks of wood with bright targets on them (put them on all 6 sides). turn around, draw and then, while walking, shoot them.
Then set them up again and do it over and over.
Practice squatting behind your car, and then shooting them from a partially concealed position.
Put some of the blocks of 4x4 at 10 feet, some at 25 feet, and one far out. Shoot at them, and then when they stop rolling, shoot at them again (thus the all 6 sides).
Practice "dumping" your shells, and quickly reloading in place. Get some speed strips or speedloaders.
Keep in the habit of keeping your gun "out of battery" as little as possible: dump, reload, holster, THEN go set up your targets.
Work on that holster technique. Bring a jacket, and a coat. Wear your work-pants, or whatever you were when CCW.
If you are hitting 5/5 or 6/6 with your snubby at 4x4x4 blocks of wood, at 10, 25, and 35-40 feet, while moving, then your snubby will be your friend.
Oh, and bring bandaids. CLOTHE bandaids. Blisters will happen.
ahhh...I remember shooting 300 rounds through my snubby one day this way. 300 rounds, and 25 4x4x4 blocks. It was a very good day.