Well-Armed with a 4" .38 and 158 gr LRNs?

[Jkwas]

I work with an ex-cop from newark who registered more than 10 kills with this very same combination. I have no doubt it would do the job

 

[Brian Williams]

I have a 4" S&W with 158 grainers sitting next to me right now. The 158 grainers are LSWC and they are loaded in magnum cases at around 1000 to 1100 fps. So, I would be ok.

 

[ShelbyV8]

There is nothing wrong with the weapon, but there is a lot better ammo out there.

 

[GaryP]

Due to the fact there are so many excellent .38 Spl loads available to choose from these days why even consider a LRN bullet for SD. I use .38 Spl LRN at the range and on things that crawl or slither but my BACON deserves the best I can provide!

 

[denfoote]

That set up was the exact one used during a time when six fur sure was the norm, except for the army, and officers were required to be able to hit a target at 50 yards in order to keep their badges.

It worked then, why wouldn't it work now???

Yeah, I use it!!!

 

[HiWayMan]

Gun is a great one. The ammo could be better. I'd take wadcutters over LRN any day of the week, but if LRN is all I have then I'll make it work. Hell, I'll have 6 of them.

 

[10-Ring]

I'd feel secure w/ the handgun but I'd keep shopping for ammo

 

[tubeshooter]

I would say "adequate".... with an honest 6 shots. 83.33% adequate with 5 shots, by extension.


As everyone has said, you can do better easily ammo-wise.

 

[dot 43]

Better ammo? Sure, but you're playing "Who's the tallest pygmy?" Armed with a pistol this is close to as good as it gets.

 

[dao]

I had near the same combination ( a 3" revolver loaded with low pressure .38 special with jacketed bullets ) for my first 4 years as a cop.
I didn't feel underpowered for a man to man gunfight.
But the problem is that we face often people inside cars coming from or going to a hold-up : they could shoot you with their guns from inside the car and you don't, simply because the .38 don't penetrate the glass !
I have seen it several time.
We now have 9mm pistols, and the ammunition is fine for me.

P.S : If I could choose, my duty gun would be a .357 revolver !

 

[kmrcstintn]

split decision

I voted yes overall...I have thought about it since I voted and I do have some reservations...

I have relied on revos in the past and will continue to do so. I have even found myself loading the HD and CCW SD revos with 158 grain LRN's or 125-130 FMJ's the night before a range trip so I don't unintentionally get my hollowpoints mixed in the target loads and shoot them up.

LRN's, FMJ's, full wadcutters, and semiwadcutters are not my first choice for defensive work. The following potential problems may arise with the use of them:

1) overpenetration
2) very little energy and inertia transfer into target
3) wound channel collapses faster
4) the bullet may keyhole or yaw and not maintain a straight trajectory after entering target (full wadcutters and semiwadcutters)

 

[Lucky Derby]

I carried this combo working security for the feds. I was always worried about over penetration more than anything else. Fortunatly I never had to use it. We were subject to spot inspection of the gun, ammo, and our speedloaders. I kept some HP's in speedstrips in my pocket. the gun is an excellent choice. The ammo could stand some re-thinking.

 

[Brian Williams]

WOW, 3 NOOBs in a row, welcome guys and enjoy THR. Still think the ammo needs help.

 

[sm]

Paging Old Fuff...paging...

Old Fuff sir,

Also any other reloaders as well that are familar with Round Ball Loadings of yesteryear. [blackpowder and smokeless]

.38spl round balls.

I recall Mentors loading these up. It has been sometime, still I heard of how "devastating" a ball of lead was in stories and even our own 4v50 Gary has shared in BP with his stories.

More recent, I guess 5 or so years ago an old boy was loading these up to show his grandkids and some others. Shot fine, and forget how many pcs of plywood these went thru from a 3" K frame.

LRN was a "standard" loading as we have already shared.

Back When, folks wanted to make sure they had loadings in case supplies got low and quite a few were making lead balls for various calibers, and...round ball slugs for shotguns. [don't laugh, I have fired plenty of round ball shotgun slugs, and still do, Ballistic Products sells components still]

 

[Blue Brick]

How do I feel?


Unhappy. I want a 4 inch Police Service Six with +P 158gr LSWCHP. Now I am happy.

 

[fireside44]

.38 is a great round, but come on, round nose?

I'll carry my .22 derringer as backup for those tough to kill bad guys...lol

 

[Joe Demko]

Gun is fine. Maybe might use some common household tools to alter the profile of the bullet. Maybe not too. I shot a doe with just such a load once upon a time and she couldn't have been any deader.

 

[W.E.G.]

Did somebody just get an armed security guard job in occupied territory?

 

[JellyJar]

Interestingly tonight on my PBS station is a story about the Mumbai massacre. I have not seen it yet but based on what I have read about the incidence I believe that the following is true. After I see it I will update with another post.

The police there were almost all armed with just such a gun ammo combo as this thread is about. Many had either never fired their weapon before at all or it had been such a long time since they had practiced that they had no confidence and stood by and did not try to stop the terrorists. Also, many of the revolvers were very old and in questionable condition

 

[easyg]

I would feel merely adequately armed.

 

[jad0110]

Did somebody just get an armed security guard job in occupied territory?

How about, did somebody just bring back to life a 3 1/2 year old thread?

As for the OP, I defer to Fuff's 1st reply.

 

[NMGonzo]

Hit right and no worries.

 

[roaddog28]

I am a old timer too and the 158gr LRN was really all that was availiable. And the S&W model 10 was and still is the best 38 special revolver. If your good with your model 10 you will in most cases come out on top. I still have my model 10 4 inch and still have some 158gr LRN. But I have two speedloaders full of the "FBI" load. But for years the LRN was all I had for defense in my model 10. I still think I would be okay.

roaddog28

 

[strangelittleman]

Well if that's all there is and there ain't no more, no point in worrying about it is there?

I wouldn’t worry a bit...
There are better options, but the guns in question are both reliable and accurate. The ammunition will penetrate to a vital organ from almost any angle. So it’s a matter of shot placement and marksmanship.

I think the above is dead on. You should have the self confidence and training to make the best use of whatever is at hand, or issued to you, regardless of personal druthers.

 

[trickyasafox]

I like old threads getting a second wind.

I think it's a very functional combo- Like so many have said, I'd even be happier with 158 gr LSWC over LRN, but hey, the RN will load quicker from a speedloader.

So yea I'd be okay with the combo.