Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Does anyone shoot a 38 special?

That’s a dandy Mart, I love those gold boxes. I also love both of my 38/44s.

There's one very like that at the pawn shop down the street from me. It's been tempting me for a while now.

Sweet.

Hard to beat a K Frame S&W for 38spl.

Twice I've looked hard at 8-3/8" barreled K frames in .38. Each time in the $1100 range. More than I want to spend, but if I spend less, I probably get less ... worn out or problem guns. It is really too bad there aren't any target grade .38s .. or much of anything else .. available anymore.

I think I've only owned one .38, an early SP-101 prior to the switch to .357. Fun, useful, but for my application I want adjustable sights.

Tom

Very nice.

Very cool as a collector's item but, practically speaking, it's an N-Frame .38 Special. Same with the Heavy Duty. The Outdoorsman was the precursor to the Model 27, but then the Model 27 is even questionable from a practical perspective in light of the existence of the Model 19, the Model 57, and the Model 29. But as a very nice piece of history, I'd love to own either an Outdoorsman or a Heavy Duty.

I carry a Ruger SP101 .357 occasionally. The nicest load I've found for it is the old "FBI" load. A Remington .38 Spcl +P 158 grain lead semi wadcutter hollow point. Hardly any flash and low recoil. My wife shoots this gun and load extremely well.

A .38 M&P is on my hip every day. It's fast and accurate. And with Buffalo Bore 158grain LSWCHP +P's it's plenty stout.

I do. I have a Taurus 85 that has never caused a single issue. I bought it when I lived paycheck to paycheck and many times since those days I've thought of replacing it with an S&W. But it shoots to the sights, is accurate, and works without a hitch. So I've become rather fond of it despite so many folks saying its not a quality gun.

I've never had one. If the right S&W appeared, I'd jump on it. I fire alot through my magnum revolvers. Had some fun experimenting with 38spl +p also. Both factory and handloads.

Great revolver cartridge.

I have a shielded hammer S&W bodyguard to keep in a pocket for backup. I use it when my SIG P220 or my 45 Colt are too large for carry. Be Well, RZ.

From my experience that's one of the most consistent handgun on the market today. Taurus discontinued it and brought out the 856 which is a 6 shot.

Honestly the last gun I'll ever get rid of is my Ruger LCR .38 special +P. From my cold dead hands.

Nice 38/44 mart. K frame SW's are a favorite of mine if you can find a 6" model 14 it will make you smile. Mb

Been carrying them in my pocket for yrs.
Before they became popular with the CCW crowd, I trained my wife on the S&W hammer less models, (own several), as they don't snag, and go in and out nice!

The Hollow point ammo is endless today, and for personal protection, it's a nice compact round!

I don't do much else with the .38 Caliber, to speak of, but it's one of my favorites!

Steve Redgwell: Bought my first "38 Special" in 1968 (a Smith & Wesson Model 60) shortly thereafter I was "issued" a Smith & Wesson Model 10.
Once I qualified "Expert" I was issued a Smith & Wesson Model 14 (1969) and I have been shooting "38 Specials" ever since.
My favorite "38 Special" to shoot though is a Smith & Wesson Model 66 with 6" barrel!
Qualified "Distinguished Expert" several times with that rig.
Accurate, light of recoil, affordable (used to be anyways!) and reliable - whats not to like about the 38 Special?
And in my experience/opinion it is THE perfect round to teach new/young shooters the ways of centerfire pistol shooting.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I can point you to a very nice one if you're interested. They will ship it to you via an FFL in your area.

I've got a Colt Detective special that I use every day for my "NY reload"

And, my Wife carries an Air Weight Chefs special, 38 special as her concealed handgun.

Virgil B.

I would feel lost without my 5-screw K-38 6" and my pre-war Colt Officer's Model 6" .38's. Those buggers are like death rays against paper targets, steel, and empty beer cans. 3 grains Bullseye behind a soft cast 158 SWC or a smidge less behind a wadcutter spells all day no-strain no-fuss fun.