fjblair
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38 snub is my favorite.
Underrated EDC handguns?
- Thread starter 38-45 Special
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Phaedrus/69
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IMO the Beretta Nano is criminally underrated! Maybe others have had issue but I've had no issues at all (no FTF/FTE) in around 2,500 round. It's as thin or thinner than any other single stack 9, the trigger is actually pretty good and the factory sights aren't bad. My primary CCW is an HK P2000 in fall, winter and spring but in the hottest weather I carry the Nano.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
I don't think the 38 special snubby is underrated. In fact I think it is one of the best and most carried handguns for CCW.
Mr. Mosin
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"*one* of the best" ????? I think you mistyped. Allow me to correct you, please. It is *the* *best* handgun for CCW for 99.99 percent of the populace in America.
JR24
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I certainly do not agree, but they are useful in certain circumstances.
Mr. Mosin
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Come now.... civil discussion time.
JR24
Member
I assume that is an indication you wish me to elaborate my position?
Ok, the advantages the .38 snub are small size, light, and reliable. All advantages small 9mms now also share, with the added benefit of a superior round and higher capacity.
I will say that the relative simplicity of a revolver can be an advantage, true, and reliability in a pocket is increased (one of the certain circumstances I do like them for) but there are, again, autos just as simple.
The main disadvantage of small snubbies is that they are uncomfortable for many to shoot and even experienced shooters admit that they don't like to practice as much with their snubbies. Pair that with a long trigger pull and you have some poor performance for many shooters in all but the closest range. Sure, you can practice more and learn the gun, but added practice and familiarity will also improve the skills of, again, a small 9mm and offsets the argument in favor or the simplicity of the snubby revolver.
My wife, for instance, loves revolvers and is a very good shot, but won't touch an airweight after a few cylindars through a few different options.
For a non-novice shooter, like myself, the further issues of accuracy, speed, reload times, caliber are only exacerbated when comparing an even similar sized auto to a .38 snubby.
Sure, there are absolutely folks who the .38 snub is the best option, for a variety of reasons, but 99.9%? No, on that I cannot agree.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Yep, seems like lots of those 99.9% like .38 special snub nose revolvers until they have to shoot them.
I've taken people to the range that were thinking of shooting my Taurus 85UL until they saw me light off 5 shots in a row of +P, which changed their mind. Good thing I brought other guns for them to try.
I've taken people to the range that were thinking of shooting my Taurus 85UL until they saw me light off 5 shots in a row of +P, which changed their mind. Good thing I brought other guns for them to try.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
@JR24 I respect your opinion. I have owned a Kahr PM9, shield, & XDS. They shoot great. I like the smaller/lighter size of my 442. And yes practice, practice, practice. My favorite semiautomatic is my LCP2. Why small/lighter size!
When I feel that a bigger gun is needed with more capacity then I carry a XDM 45acp compact.
When I feel that a bigger gun is needed with more capacity then I carry a XDM 45acp compact.
When we first got married my wife had a model 85 she had been gifted. I asked her if she had ever shot it. She had not so I took her out to shoot it. After the first cylinder I asked her if she liked it. She said no that it was beating her up. I put the same ammunition in my old Dan Wesson model 15-2 & handed it to her. She liked it. I have had to try different things to find what works for her & is small enough to carry. If someone likes a snubnosed 38 that is great. Not my thing.
Why would people not training like they should make a snub nosed .38 a good carry choice?
JR24
Member
Indeed, with the heavy long trigger plus unpleasant recoil and rudimentary sights, one would think they need more practice to gain proficiency instead of less.
TRX
Member
It's not so much the gun as it is the holster. I mostly carry a .38 J-frame because I found what is, for me, a perfect holster, good enough that I'm unwilling to downgrade just to carry a different gun.
Leatherworking isn't one of my skills, nor do I have time to acquire it, and I'm too poor to pay for custom work.
Mr. Mosin
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Absolutely stupid simple manual of arms and operation.
Yes and no. They're simple to operate in the sense that you just pull the trigger for five bangs. Beyond that they're not simple. Reloads are a lot harder and slower,, the trigger can be hard to work properly, the recoil can be pretty harsh (especially +p loads), the sights tend to suck, etc. I wouldn't say the manual of arms is any harder on a modern striker pistol and I think a novice shooter will do better with one more quickly.
Mr. Mosin
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No ? You gotta remember how to load the magazine, how to properly insert the magazine; also gotta remember if you racked the slide to chamber a round, et Al. For an absolute novice who only wants a gun for "protection" or to keep in the nightstand, a revolver is far and away the better option.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
Lets get back on track. One handgun that I feel is underrated for CCW is Bond Arms Derringers. Yes only 2 shots and not a quick reload. There advantages are - small and easy to conceal. Versatile with many cartridges available. I have a Rowdy 45/410. Loaded with 410 shot shells it makes a great snake gun. With 410 defense loads or 45 Colt more than capable for 2 legged snakes.
When I carry mine it is normally a second gun with shot shells.
When I carry mine it is normally a second gun with shot shells.
But when it comes to using it effectively, it is probably not.
A llitle training will answer the question.
A gun is useless "for protection" or in a nightstand unless the defender can defend with it.
That would be my last choice.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
It's a good thing a nightstand gun doesn't have to be a pocket sized snubby.
JR24
Member
Really? You gotta remember how to open the cylinder and gotta remember if you loaded bullets into the revolver as well.
Loading a mag and working the slide once is hardly rocket science for even the most technically challenged individual, and for anyone remembering if you left your gun loaded is equally important regardless of platform.
I will say there are folks with physical limitations that may not be able to load mags or work the slide (and haven't tried/been taught the proper technique) so the revolver could be useful here, although the long heavy trigger could also pose problems to folks with poor hand strength.
Still, you're moving the goalpost here a bit, this discussion started with the statement that snub nose revolvers (and in context, the implication was the smallest ones for CCW) were a better choice for 99.9% of the population, again implied for CCW.
I've got less of an argument if we are talking a 3 or 4" barrel revolver for home defense, as those are much easier to shoot well with more weight and +P .38 spc
WisBorn
Contributing Member
I guess if you don't have some BLOCK that can be thrown at attackers don't have anything no matter how well you can shoot it!!!!
Actually, it had fallen out of favor long before that.
The .32 S&W Long meets none of the recommended criteria for law enforcement today.
I wouldn't go below one of the standard service calibers.
My .38 holds six shots.
The snub nosed .38 revolver from Taurus, Rossi, Charter S&W and Cobra are still a very viable choice for a self defense weapon. Again like I've said before it's not the caliber of the handgun it's the caliber of the person behind it that counts.
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