my first ccw was a taurus 85, 38sp, 5-shot, steel, 2” revolver bought gently used in south florida in 1985 before permits were a thing. i replaced the slim wooden grips with pachmayr rubber grips, bought a couple of speedloaders and loaded it with 158gr fmj ball ammo. its display with intent saw me through one riot safely when my car was mobbed. i still have it though now carry a s&w 642 38sp airweight snubbie loaded with wadcutters.
a 38sp revolver is safe, easy and reliable. if 5-6 shots won’t solve my problems then i’ve made some seriously poor decisions on when/where i go, what i do and who i meet, or i need a long gun.
