Reason to buy 38 special?

[meausoc]

No case left behind !

[yoni]

I don't want to hijack the thread, so I will start with if I were going to buy revolver I would buy it in .357 mag. That way I would have options of shooting both rounds out of the same gun.

Now I want to ask a serious question, besides a revolver not leaving cases behind if someone were shooting something that would have bad ramifications if found out. Not endorsing such shooting, but...

In 2020, what advantages does a snub nose revolver give you, over a small 9mm auto?

[Chubbs103]

I prefer my 442 for pocket carry over a pocket .380. When I was last shopping for something small (~5 years ago), I could not find a small 9mm that worked in this specific niche for me. Now I live in California and none of the new pocket 9mms are on the approved roster.

For when I pocket carry, the 442 has been extremely adequate.

[lebowski]

Now I want to ask a serious question, besides a revolver not leaving cases behind if someone were shooting something that would have bad ramifications if found out. Not endorsing such shooting, but...

In 2020, what advantages does a snub nose revolver give you, over a small 9mm auto?

My 642, loaded and in a raven vg2, is about 5oz lighter than my G43, loaded in its vg2. The Scandium j-frames would be even lighter. When I am wearing workout shorts and no belt as I typically am dressed when around the house or walking my dogs, the j-frame is the easiest thing to carry. I carry nearly 100% of the time now including in my house, and the j-frame is part of that.

When I go out and wear a belt, I carry a larger gun.

[RHINOWSO]

I have a 442 no-lock, only real detractor is the integral front sight preventing more high visibility options but I painted it with a coat of white and several more of orange.

I happened into a MP340 357Mag locally that someone was blowing out with some ammo for $550. Sold the ammo and am into the thing for around $450. For that price it is a great upgrade to a 442, but I can't really see paying $700 plus for it. But you can notice it is a tad lighter and the replaceable front sight is nice along with the shrouded ejector rod. It is my main J-frame and see lots of abuse in the pocket and ankle. Full house 357s are a real pain, but it's carried with Speed GDHP 38SPL+P 135gr. The main advantaged isn't that it's a 357, it's the weight and front sight, but again for the going rate I really don't think they are worth it unless you get a deal.

[RHINOWSO]

In 2020, what advantages does a snub nose revolver give you, over a small 9mm auto?

Pocket carry - the fact you can have your hand on the snub, almost have it gripped, aimed on target (if carrying in a jacket) and the ability to fire multiple shots while concealed / without drawing, while a semi of any type would likely malfunction on clothing or cases. And from a pocket, a hammerless J-frame is the smoothest draw around, with nothing to snag like the backend of a slide or rear sight.

It's definitely a niche' firearm and if I can carry a weapon on the belt, it's a 9MM semiauto. But for pocket / ankle carry, a J-frame is still very valid.

[Delta-3]

It's definitely a niche' firearm and if I can carry a weapon on the belt, it's a 9MM semiauto. But for pocket / ankle carry, a J-frame is still very valid.

I concur.

[gunnerblue]

I don't want to hijack the thread, so I will start with if I were going to buy revolver I would buy it in .357 mag. That way I would have options of shooting both rounds out of the same gun.

Now I want to ask a serious question, besides a revolver not leaving cases behind if someone were shooting something that would have bad ramifications if found out. Not endorsing such shooting, but...

In 2020, what advantages does a snub nose revolver give you, over a small 9mm auto?

Pocket carry. I find that my 640 Pro prints significantly less than my Glock 43 (more of lump than a squared-off handgun look). The 640 is heavier than my 442, but has night sights which regulate to the 135 gr. Speer Gold Dot Short barrel and reduced recoil load.

[johnnyrem]

I certainly concur with the idea that the blast flash and recoil of a 357 make it hard to manage in a light revolver and that is a perfectly good reason not to use it and prefer the more manageable 38.

The disconnect occurs when a poster notes the considerable blast, flash and recoil and claims there is “no appreciable gain.” This is very incorrect.

Having chrono’ed a great deal of 38 and 357 from snubby barrels, the 357 runs to twice or more the energy and 300-400 fps more velocity with similar bullet weights. Noting a lot more recoil while simultaneously claiming little gain in performance is contradictory, and the chronograph confirms the contradiction.

Again, I can see not wanting the bang flash and kick of a 357 and choosing the 38 as controllability and repeat fire is a thing. But to also claim little gain in performance of 357 over 38 is clearly an error.

[artoter]

Just because they are cool.