Where do you rank the 38 snubby as far as a defensive weapon

[JohnKSa]

The term "rank" in the question implies a comparison and an evaluation of relative merits.

To answer this question, I would make a list of characteristics that are generally accepted to be important in a defensive weapon of this type and perhaps add one or two characteristics that I personally felt were important that might not make the generally accepted list.

Then I would make a list of defensive weapons that are generally intended to fill the same or very similar roles as the defensive weapon in question and that fall into the same general price range and the same general caliber class.

Then I would rate/rank the defensive weapon in question against the other defensive weapons intended for same general application/role.

 

[ThomasT]

If you saw my other thread you know I just picked up a used 637-2 38 special. I prefer revolvers over autos any day. And I have shot competition so much with a revolver I sometimes forget they can be manually cocked. So I shoot double action all the time.

This is the best book on the snub nosed gun and the reason to own one I have ever seen. If reading this doesn't make you want a snubby then I guess you weren' t paying attention.

https://www.amazon.com/Snubby-Revolver-Backup-Concealed-Standard/dp/1581605714

 

[25-5]

I normally carry a Series 70, but very often pocket a baby chief. Along with situational awareness, I feel totally protected by either. My main defense is provided by GM, and I don't walk the streets of Bagdad or Chicago at night.

 

[Snyper]

For some reason there are many who feel shooting a semi-auto is so difficult only very dedicated shooters can learn how, I find that insulting.

"Shooting well" isn't all there is to operating a semi-auto.

Lots of women have problems with operating the slide, safety and magazine release, whereas a revolver only has a trigger to worry about.

 

[azrocks]

"Shooting well" isn't all there is to operating a semi-auto.

Lots of women have problems with operating the slide, safety and magazine release, whereas a revolver only has a trigger to worry about.

Anyone who has troubles manipulating the slide on a comparably sized semi-auto like a G43 is going to have big troubles with the DA trigger pull on a stock j-frame.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I rank the J frame as a 'casual carry' gun. An 'everyday' gun.

It is not one I carry often but sometimes it's very small size, total reliability for 5 rounds, and power makes it a good pick especially if true concealment is a must with no chance of being spotted.

But normally I pack a Glock.

Deaf

 

[farm23]

I have not read all of the post so excuse if this has been said. My wife does not have the strength work the slide of an auto so she carries a J frame S&W.

 

[Old Fuff]

I find it to be very viable, particularly if one pocket or ankle carries. Otherwise they're better options.

Within that context, they are not ammunition dependent when it comes to functioning One simply has to draw, point and shoot (if that's called for).

More often then not, "5 in the pocket" is my every day carry.

 

[Bama Drifter]

They make a fine New York reload, too.

^That's about where it fits for me. Last range session I started doing transition practice (not sure of correct term) from running Glock 19 to slide lock, dropping it to the table, snatching up my Colt DS and quickly firing a failure drill. Some may think it silly, but the NY Reload just plain works!

 

[shafter]

Not obsolete for sure, however with the market saturated with many good options I don't know why someone would opt for lesser power and lesser capacity. I will give them credit for reliability, but they aren't a novices gun like so many suggest. They take a lot of practice to achieve proficiency.

I'd take a 9mm with quality ammo and at least two extra rounds of capacity over a five round snubnose.

 

[AZAndy]

I carry a 640, with laser grip, loaded with low-recoil .357 158-grain XTPs. I shoot it once a week to stay fresh. Seems like plenty enough to me. I don't have to worry about limp-wristing, stovepipes, or safeties. I can shoot it from inside a coat pocket if I have to.

 

[orionengnr]

I have owned a fair number of J-frames over the years, and still own one.

In all honesty, I can't remember the last time I actually carried one.

On the other hand, when I was last without one (probably 2009 or so) I rectified that situation fairly quickly.

Is it a viable carry gun? Absolutely.

Is it optimal? Opinions vary widely.

As long as I have my Kahr PM9 (and that has been ten years so far) I think I will always view the J-frame as a lesser option.

However, that is my personal opinion.

I recently took a first-time shooter to the range, and we ran through a number of handguns, starting with a .22 K-frame revolver, then a .22 semi, then a .38 revolver (K-frame), a 1911 in .45acp and several others.

My student was amazingly compatible with my 637 J-frame, not ordinarily a learner's gun.

The lesson is....be careful about saying "always" or "never".

 

[FL-NC]

I'm a NO on this one. The DA revolver suffers from these ailments: low capacity, DA trigger, thickness, short barrel, short sight interval, excessive recoil, costs of weapon and ammo. Nowadays, there are so many economic, reliable compact and subcompact autos in 380 and 9mm that to me there just seems to be little point or wisdom in choosing a 38 snub over something like a S&W shield, Ruger LC9, Glock 43, etc.

 

[Jaymo]

The stock DA pull of my J frame is very good. Much better than any factory Glock and almost any compact auto I've shot.
Granted, my CZ82 has a fantastic DA pull, but it's not exactly a pocket piece for me.
I don't buy the BS of snubs all having horrible DA pulls.
That's Glock fanboy talk.
DA revolvers are very easy to learn to shoot well.
I've carried a 5 shot snub for 26 years.
I've carried a bunch of other handguns over that time period, also.
However, I've always carried a 5 shot snub, whether as primary, or as a backup to a larger revolver or auto.

Simplicity and reliability are never bad, especially when you're under stress.

 

[MIL-DOT]

.....Simplicity and reliability are never bad, especially when you're under stress.

Very well said! I tote a humble little Airweight Smith more often than anything else. What makes these such a home-run for regular carry is their unobtrusiveness, and their aforementioned simplicity and reliability.
And with modern self defense ammo, they're quite effective for most realistic distances and scenarios.

 

[springer99]

Let's make sure we're not comparing apples to oranges. In the area of sub-compact personal protection arms, I still submit that a J-frame S&W is hard to beat.

Alloy frame vs. subcompact auto - weight is about the same.
Sight radius vs. subcompact auto - actually about the same.
Barrel length vs. subcompact auto - include the cylinder duh! about the same
Dimensions vs. subcompact auto - about the same, but a hammerless J
frame pulls from a pocket so nice.
Power vs. subcompact auto - 380Auto, maybe 9mm vs. .357Mag?? really?
Round count vs. subcompact - 5/6/7 for revolver vs. ?
Cost vs. subcompact auto - yes, good revolvers are more expensive than polymer guns.
Ease of use vs. subcompact auto - revolvers = pull the trigger.

 

[Jaymo]

None of my autos have been as easy to conceal in a pocket, as a J frame, with the exception of the Kel Tec P3AT.
All my compact and subcompact autos print more than my Chief, even though the cylinder diameter is a little more than the width of my autos.
Of course, the cylinder OD is only that wide at it's widest point.
My autos are generally the same width over the entirety of the gun.

Nobody has "made" me, when I carry a J frame.

 

[Monster Zero]

If you saw my other thread you know I just picked up a used 637-2 38 special. I prefer revolvers over autos any day. And I have shot competition so much with a revolver I sometimes forget they can be manually cocked. So I shoot double action all the time.

This is the best book on the snub nosed gun and the reason to own one I have ever seen. If reading this doesn't make you want a snubby then I guess you weren' t paying attention.

https://www.amazon.com/Snubby-Revolver-Backup-Concealed-Standard/dp/1581605714

Yes, "The Snubnose Revolver" is a very worthwhile read, for any shooter.

 

[jstert]

loaded with wadcutters a 38 s&w snubbie is soft and deadly. for most of us past middle age a battle weapon is unneeded. what we need is a simple, easy to use, reliable defense piece for trouble that we cannot evade. the one time i almost had to use mine against an urban carjacker, its display with confidence and intent caused him to back way off. he never asked the round count or caliber. carry what you can handle well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[jamesjames]

For teachers or others in jobs where deep concealment is a must, the j frame's shape and round butt grip just seem easier to conceal. I've tried to dress around both a Kahr PM9 and a 642. The 642 conceals better for me. The grip doesn't dig into my leg in an ankle rig or my side in a IWB rig. I shoot the double action trigger well and I practice.

With a defensive weapon, if the threat is farther than 40 feet and I have the ability to escape and evade, discretion is the better part of valor. If badness is 21 feet away and coming fast, I want something that draws quickly and goes bang when I pull the trigger. If there is a threat and I draw, and then the attack breaks off, I like the added inherent safety of a DAO trigger. I also think a DAO snubbie is easier to defend in court because it is DAO, old school, and only 5 rounds. Or did that wisdom come courtesy of Mas Ayoob in In the Gravest Extreme?

 

[Twiki357]

What else is there? My CCW is a model 637 (silver) or a model 37 (black) depending which blends in best with what I’m wearing. And scattered around the house are model 36s and model 60s. I figure that if 5 rounds of 158 SWCs won’t stop a threat, I’m up one of those mushy brown creeks anyway.

 

[45_auto]

CCW Civilian Defensive Weapon Rankings:

Nothing = 0
Sharp Stick =50
Full Auto M-16 pistol with 7 each 30 round magazines= 100

Snubby would be a 98, full-size semi auto pistol with 3 extra 17 round mags would be a 99.

Number of angels who can dance upon the head of a pin = 7,567,345,983,295,275,009,742 (answer to another useless scholarly debate).

 

[shafter]

I figure that if 5 rounds of 158 SWCs won’t stop a threat, I’m up one of those mushy brown creeks anyway.

Guns don't keep us from going up those mushy brown creeks, we use guns to get us out once we're already in. If you've reasoned that you can do the job with 5 rounds of 38 them I can respect that. Statistics are probably on your side. But I do very much wish that people would stop saying "oh well I guess I'm up poop creek if I can't do it in 5 or whatever number."

 

[Alte Schule]

You bet the .38 caliber snub has a place in this world. The .38 round, especially the +P and now the +P+ and .38 snubbies in general have really, IMO, become quite popular as a self defense platform and, as others have said here, simplicity and reliability are the key. 47 years ago when the Army first issued me a 4" S &W Model 10 I knew I found something I could shoot accurately. Nothing against the 1911 it was just my proficiency with that pistol was seriously lacking at the time.
I have 4 snubbies. Three which I rotate in my EDC. A 442, a SP 101 in .357 and a LCR in .327 Mag. I have carried, with confidence, my 442 for many years although it kind of takes a back seat, as of late, to the six shot .327. When I carry my SP 101(and 442) around locally it's loaded with Remington Ultimate Defense 125 gr JHP. I find that my follow up shots with the SP 101 are more accurate than with a .357 load. My travels sometimes take me to really rural areas of SW Texas. The SP 101 is loaded with Hornady FTX 149 gr on those occasions.

 

[PRM]

Guns don't keep us from going up those mushy brown creeks, we use guns to get us out once we're already in. If you've reasoned that you can do the job with 5 rounds of 38 them I can respect that. Statistics are probably on your side. But I do very much wish that people would stop saying "oh well I guess I'm up poop creek if I can't do it in 5 or whatever number." -shafter

LOL...I couldn't resist