Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Does anyone still carry .38 Special?

Yes. Often.

Smart people do

For many years, I carried one. Three different revolvers during three different periods of my life (Model 60, Detective Special, and Model 13 FBI configuration). Still do, but now just in my bathrobe pocket, i.e., a Model 38, which is an aluminum J-Frame with the humpback that shields the hammer spur. Lets you cock the hammer, but yet it's shielded against snagging on clothing as you draw it.

Nice old Combat Masterpiece. Is that a recent snag?

Nope,

I have had it for many years.

It primarily stays in the house for the wife to use as an HD gun, as she is not into shooting. I use it for T&E for loads and accuracy testing and occasionally to hunt small game with in the winter after big game season is over.

Got to love the old classic Combat Masterpiece.

I only use the .38 for warning shots. For serious work I use the 9mm and blow out the lungs.

I don't carry one for defense, but I remain a massive fan of the .38 Special. Modern +P's are downright decent for defense (if you still use a revolver for defense). 110-125gr JHP's are fantastic on bunnies. It is probably my favorite centerfire target cartridge. A HBWC is pretty hard to be for just dropping them all into a single hole.

This was the first 12 rounds out of my Python, 15 yards offhand at an indoor range (with very crappy lighting). I was very happy with that group, but you know I was pizzed about those two flyers. Oh well, those are the things that keep us humble and constantly striving for "better".

Never as a primary except to very low risk places, sometimes when motorcycle riding, but often as a bug..........S&W j-frame.

MM

Often have a 442 in my right front pocket. Wife carries a lcp-x and I also frequently (today) carry a 60-15 with .38’s

Well I ordered a Ruger LCRx 38 Special snubby yesterday.

I had a stainless steel 642 many years ago, left it behind in one of my divorces. Always wanted another snub in the inventory.



Can anybody confirm that the speedloaders for the J-Frame 38 also fit the LCR?

I used to carry a Colt Detective Special with a 2 inch barrel. But I gave it to a girlfriend to carry in her car and when she left, the gun did too. Didn't remember that she had it until 5 or 6 months passed and I just wrote it off. I carry a 9mm now.

That’s some mighty consistent shooting at 15 yards offhand there, GunGeek. The strays demonstrate that it’s a legitimate effort. I can’t seem to avoid them either:





There’s always gotta be at least one ruining an otherwise bragging group, just to “keep us humble,” as you say.

That’s good shooting with the snub

1980's vintage Colt Agent. Just so easy to pur in the pocket.

Thanks, hikerbum.
That snub is an early 642 Air Weight with an XS Standard Dot Tritium front sight installed. With reasonable double action trigger skills, the XS Standard Dot will allow hitting directly behind the center of the front sight with some precision. Works on the 640-1 .357 too, though there’s certainly no mistaking it when each shot is touched off:



The 135gr. Speer Gold Dot .357MAG Short Barrel ammo seems more like .38SPL +P+ than actual full strength .357MAG, so it’s not too bad.

Yep. Carry a Smith 60-7 back at the cabin when I’m mowing or working. This and my hellcat are my only “carry” guns.
Bought my Dad a detective special off 30338 on here after he had shoulder surgery and was worried about not being able to rack the slide on his Springfield 1911.
Mom has one but he didn’t want to use it because it’s labeled “lady smith” LOL
Wife Carry’s this in her purse anytime she’s showing property too (realtor)

Tell us something about this one: