Snub 38/357 for HD for me

8shot357 · March 26, 2011, 07:28 PM

Why you ask?

Well, this is how I see it. It's really hard to grab from you if they go for your gun.

That's it.

If you have a bigger gun, or a rifle/shotgun, it's a big grip, and much more easier to get a hold of, not to mention getting pointed in the wrong direction, but the snubby is easier to pull away and take a shot at them if you do it correctly.

This I'm talking about would be in close contact.

If somebody was trying to get in my door and not already in my house, it's rifles all day long though. But I feel best with my snubby, and I have many other options.

Sarge · March 26, 2011, 07:56 PM

I've never gone for anything quite that elaborate, but the short revolver has much to recommend it. You can shove it in somebody's ribs at bad-breath distance and trigger multiple shots without fear of their apparel or personal components tying your gun up.

dalegribble · March 26, 2011, 08:39 PM

there are no bad choices for self defense, just bad shots.

Win73 · March 26, 2011, 09:54 PM

I keep my S & W .38 snub in my pocket at all times in the house. But I also have a 9 mm and a .45 strategically located at different places so one of them is also quick to hand.

When I go to bed I put the .38 on my nightstand. I do place it so the lamp is between me and the gun so I would have to deliberately reach around the lamp to get the gun.

treg · March 26, 2011, 10:29 PM

My main carry gun is a snubbie. I trust it enough for that, it's convienient (don't have to switch in and out of the safe), and I'm very familiar with it. I see no good reason to change just because I'm in the house.

I once read that Bill Ruger kept a SP101 on his nightstand.

Navy joe · March 26, 2011, 11:16 PM

Well, you have a valid reason for your choice, so you're right. I'd personally pick differently. Still limited capacity, a .357 snub shot from retention indoors might take a few of your sensors out of the fight as well as the other guy. I generally keep a J-frame in my pocket, good for going off to find a bigger gun. We always talk about limited penetration, heck, what if the guy uses cover? Maybe I want to shoot through my wall!

That's just me, I know what is outside of my house. (Not much) Everything has disadvantages. If I thought it would stay indoors a Ithaca 37 with 00 and a belt of slugs is probably my choice, if I thought it would head outdoors there are several rifles of meaningful caliber handy.

My HD situation is rather rare, It's big wide open and I could easily see someone who was no longer fond of me being a threat from 200+ yards.

microman · March 27, 2011, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Snub 38/357 for HD for me

Nothing wrong with that. I actually prefer revolvers for HD
over autos. No safeties to worry with "unless we are talking
about Glocks"

Revolvers are idiot proof and thats what is needed when
Gremlins are in your house at 3 am...

catnphx · March 27, 2011, 10:25 AM

Though I've got other pistols/shotguns I usually turn too, I just shot my trusted S&W .357 640-1 on Friday at the range; it's a great gun. It's only got 5 shots but I still carry it when I go hiking ... it fits great in my fanny pack.

I'm very accurate with it and it is great for close quarters situations. I purchased it in 1996 and will always keep it. As the years pass, I find it more and more difficult to get it in the rotation to carry but it is a great gun.

357 Python · March 27, 2011, 01:11 PM

Nothing wrong there. Your thoughts are sound. Besides my wife's home gun is a 2 1/2" S&W model 66. It isn't as heavy as my other guns so she adopted it for her gun. As always pray that it is never needed but be thankful if it is.

curmudgeon1 · March 27, 2011, 06:09 PM

Can't shoot a revolver from inside a pocket or from a close-to-the-body retention position ....... that side-blast from the cylinder/barrel gap can be nasty.

WARNING: DO NOT try this at home !!

Edward429451 · March 27, 2011, 06:13 PM

You could if your life depended on it.

BRE346 · March 29, 2011, 04:39 PM

Yup, I carry a 9mm auto, sometimes with a 38 spl snubbie for a BUG. I'm beginning to think that the snubbie will be enough, night and day, here and there.

Lord help me if it isn't.

Dwight55 · March 30, 2011, 07:57 AM

Your 38 snubbie is 1 1/2 inches shorter than my XD45, 2 inches shorter than my 1911.

A 5 shot .357 borders on totally unmanageable for follow-up shots, the muzzle blast borders on deafening, and the muzzle flash will blind you for at least 3 seconds after each shot in a dark room.

A 5 shot .38 puts out 5 rounds of "low end" borderline SD effective rounds.

Most revolver owners cannot reload the thing in much of anything less than one full minute, . . . when they do, . . . if they are successful, . . . the situation either should be over, . . . or they'll be dead.

My XD or 1911 start at 9 rounds, go to 14, . . . reload quickly and easily even under adverse circumstances, . . . have a track record of very effective in the rounds they deliver, . . . have only a fraction of the muzzle blast and muzzle flash of a sawed off revolver.

Quickly effective follow-up shooting is part and parcel to the breed.

I have revolvers, . . . love shooting them, . . . enjoy hunting with them, . . . but I fully realize that they are the Model "T"s of HD and SD, . . . and fully deserve to join Marshall Dillon's rig, . . . hanging on a peg somewhere.

YMMV

May God bless,
Dwight

Sarge · March 30, 2011, 09:22 AM

That's the funniest post I've seen here in awhile, Dwight. Thanks- I needed a laugh this morning.

Jimmy10mm · March 30, 2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

A 5 shot .38 puts out 5 rounds of "low end" borderline SD effective rounds.

Water-Man · March 30, 2011, 09:52 AM

I sometimes carry a snub, but in the house it's a P220 and a 1911 in .45acp.

Webleymkv · March 30, 2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

A 5 shot .357 borders on totally unmanageable for follow-up shots, the muzzle blast borders on deafening, and the muzzle flash will blind you for at least 3 seconds after each shot in a dark room.

That is not my experience at all. I can do pretty respectable double taps with my dad's Ruger SP101 with full power 158grn Magnums. Though it does get tiring after a while, two or three cylinders full isn't a problem. Also, I've fired a snub .357 in low light without hearing protection and while the muzzle blast and flash was definately noticeable, I was still able to immediately see and hear what was going on around me.

Quote:

Most revolver owners cannot reload the thing in much of anything less than one full minute, . . . when they do, . . . if they are successful, . . . the situation either should be over, . . . or they'll be dead.

I'm no Jerry Miculeck or anything, but I was practicing reloading my S&W M66 at the range on Monday and I was able to fish a Safariland Speedloader out of my coat pocket and reload in 10-15 seconds without trying particularly hard.

Quote:

My XD or 1911 start at 9 rounds, go to 14, . . . reload quickly and easily even under adverse circumstances, . . . have a track record of very effective in the rounds they deliver, . . . have only a fraction of the muzzle blast and muzzle flash of a sawed off revolver.

Capacity is, I feel, over-emphasized. A self-defense situation, particularly inside a home, is likely to happen very quickly and at very close range. I don't know about you, but I can't draw and fire more than two or three shots out of any handgun in much less than two seconds, an amount of time that would easily allow most people to cover several yards. This means that if someone is willing to brave gunfire, they're likely going to be on top of me in a grappling situation and, as has been mentioned, a revolver can be shoved into someones abdomen and fired repeatedly without malfunction.

Since we're talking about self-defense, if I've got enough time and distance for anything more than a revolver to be useful, I'm going to be reaching for a more substantial weapon than a handgun anyway (I also keep a 12ga shotgun and a .223 semi-auto rifle handy for HD).

Quote:

I have revolvers, . . . love shooting them, . . . enjoy hunting with them, . . . but I fully realize that they are the Model "T"s of HD and SD, . . . and fully deserve to join Marshall Dillon's rig, . . . hanging on a peg somewhere.

Yet you still depend on a 1911 which was developed concurrently, or in many cases before, with the majority of modern DA revolvers.

atlctyslkr · March 30, 2011, 09:22 PM

Works for me. I keep a 357 loaded with 38's within easy reach at home. I hope it will buy me time to get to my shotgun if I should need it.

Deaf Smith · March 30, 2011, 09:26 PM

Tom Givens of Rangermaster has spoken many times about the increase of mulit-member robbery teams. He advises those who carry revolvers to remember that.

And my own advice, if you pack a revolver.... carry two. 11 to 12 immediate shots should cover most situations, but 5 or six might not.

Deaf

LeopardCurDog · April 26, 2011, 10:17 PM

Can't shoot a revolver from inside a pocket or from a close-to-the-body retention position ....... that side-blast from the cylinder/barrel gap can be nasty.

Totally and completely false.

Deja vu · April 26, 2011, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Can't shoot a revolver from inside a pocket or from a close-to-the-body retention position ....... that side-blast from the cylinder/barrel gap can be nasty.
WARNING: DO NOT try this at home !!

as a teenager I did this and it was not as bad as you would think. I shot a 38 special from my coat pocket trying to impress my Idiot brother (I think I was the bigger idiot) there was some minor burns on the inside of the pocket but it was not too bad. The major problem was the hole in my coat that my mom saw very quickly after we got home.

My friends at school thought it was cool when I explained what happed to them (of course stretching the truth to say I was shooting at a crow instead of just shooting at the air.)

Quote:

And my own advice, if you pack a revolver.... carry two. 11 to 12 immediate shots should cover most situations, but 5 or six might not.

I own a S&W revolver in 357 magnum that holds as many rounds as my 1911 style gun (8) Granted reloading the 1911 is faster if the magazine is handy, If its not handy reloading the revolver is faster especially with moon clips.

Nnobby45 · April 26, 2011, 10:44 PM

Snubby is better than nothing, but if Bubba and his friends crash thru your in the middle of the night and you have to settle things with 5 shots, while standing there in your shorts (if that

), then that's your call.

I'm more comforted with a SIG and 20 rd. mag. about 2 1/2 steps away next to my shotgun, and my daily carry gun on the night stand.

Guess we're both comfortable with our HD arrangements.

mnero · April 26, 2011, 10:50 PM

A snub nose is great for all the reasons you mentioned. They are loud, especially .357 or 44's but so is a 1911. The muzzle flash blinding you is a problem, if it's dark any flash snub or othewise will effect your vision, briefly, so 1911 will to. If you have a 10" barrel maybe but a 1911

Reloading, yes if you are expecting the need for a reload, a semi-auto is way faster. I personaly keep a snub .38 Smith&Wesson on the night stand and a 20 guage coach gun next to the night stand; that would be my reload. If that fails then I guess it is a .357 lever action henry rifle loaded with .38 +p. It is good to have options, but I am guessing, should the very unlikely event of it's need arise, the snub will do

Crazy88Fingers · April 26, 2011, 10:53 PM

If a bad guy is close enough to grab a 4" barrel, he's probably close enough to just grab the gun itself. If he does that, you might have a little trouble getting the cylinder to rotate.

I'm a bit more comfortable with a longer barrel and one extra round. But hey, different strokes.

C0untZer0 · April 26, 2011, 11:06 PM

At first I thought "It's kind of hard to grab a homeowners 12 gauge when you get shot in the gut or the chest and 12 to 16 projectiles are peircing your body and the wad goes down the same wound channel."

But now - hey, you've made a beleiver out of me!

It's snubbie all the way for me from now on !

March 26, 2011, 07:56 PM	#2
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	I've never gone for anything quite that elaborate, but the short revolver has much to recommend it. You can shove it in somebody's ribs at bad-breath distance and trigger multiple shots without fear of their apparel or personal components tying your gun up. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

March 26, 2011, 08:39 PM	#3
dalegribble Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2007 Posts: 861	there are no bad choices for self defense, just bad shots. __________________ Waltzes with woofs

March 26, 2011, 09:54 PM	#4
Win73 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 401	I keep my S & W .38 snub in my pocket at all times in the house. But I also have a 9 mm and a .45 strategically located at different places so one of them is also quick to hand. When I go to bed I put the .38 on my nightstand. I do place it so the lamp is between me and the gun so I would have to deliberately reach around the lamp to get the gun. __________________ (Luke 11:21 KJV) When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: (Luke 22:36 KJV) Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

March 26, 2011, 10:29 PM	#5
treg Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 1,102	My main carry gun is a snubbie. I trust it enough for that, it's convienient (don't have to switch in and out of the safe), and I'm very familiar with it. I see no good reason to change just because I'm in the house. I once read that Bill Ruger kept a SP101 on his nightstand. __________________ .44 Special: For those who get it, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, no explanation is possible.

March 26, 2011, 11:16 PM	#6
Navy joe Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2001 Location: VA, USA Posts: 1,804	Well, you have a valid reason for your choice, so you're right. I'd personally pick differently. Still limited capacity, a .357 snub shot from retention indoors might take a few of your sensors out of the fight as well as the other guy. I generally keep a J-frame in my pocket, good for going off to find a bigger gun. We always talk about limited penetration, heck, what if the guy uses cover? Maybe I want to shoot through my wall! That's just me, I know what is outside of my house. (Not much) Everything has disadvantages. If I thought it would stay indoors a Ithaca 37 with 00 and a belt of slugs is probably my choice, if I thought it would head outdoors there are several rifles of meaningful caliber handy. My HD situation is rather rare, It's big wide open and I could easily see someone who was no longer fond of me being a threat from 200+ yards. __________________ FY47012

March 27, 2011, 10:25 AM	#8
catnphx Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2011 Location: North Phoenix, AZ Posts: 168	Though I've got other pistols/shotguns I usually turn too, I just shot my trusted S&W .357 640-1 on Friday at the range; it's a great gun. It's only got 5 shots but I still carry it when I go hiking ... it fits great in my fanny pack. I'm very accurate with it and it is great for close quarters situations. I purchased it in 1996 and will always keep it. As the years pass, I find it more and more difficult to get it in the rotation to carry but it is a great gun.

March 27, 2011, 01:11 PM	#9
357 Python Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 941	Nothing wrong there. Your thoughts are sound. Besides my wife's home gun is a 2 1/2" S&W model 66. It isn't as heavy as my other guns so she adopted it for her gun. As always pray that it is never needed but be thankful if it is.

March 27, 2011, 06:09 PM	#10
curmudgeon1 Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2007 Location: n.e. ohio Posts: 544	Can't shoot a revolver from inside a pocket or from a close-to-the-body retention position ....... that side-blast from the cylinder/barrel gap can be nasty. WARNING: DO NOT try this at home !! Last edited by curmudgeon1; March 27, 2011 at 07:05 PM.

March 27, 2011, 06:13 PM	#11
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	You could if your life depended on it.

March 29, 2011, 04:39 PM	#12
BRE346 Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2011 Location: Victoria, TX Posts: 158	Snub carry Yup, I carry a 9mm auto, sometimes with a 38 spl snubbie for a BUG. I'm beginning to think that the snubbie will be enough, night and day, here and there. Lord help me if it isn't. __________________ Ancient Airman

March 30, 2011, 07:57 AM	#13
Dwight55 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 2,568	Your 38 snubbie is 1 1/2 inches shorter than my XD45, 2 inches shorter than my 1911. A 5 shot .357 borders on totally unmanageable for follow-up shots, the muzzle blast borders on deafening, and the muzzle flash will blind you for at least 3 seconds after each shot in a dark room. A 5 shot .38 puts out 5 rounds of "low end" borderline SD effective rounds. Most revolver owners cannot reload the thing in much of anything less than one full minute, . . . when they do, . . . if they are successful, . . . the situation either should be over, . . . or they'll be dead. My XD or 1911 start at 9 rounds, go to 14, . . . reload quickly and easily even under adverse circumstances, . . . have a track record of very effective in the rounds they deliver, . . . have only a fraction of the muzzle blast and muzzle flash of a sawed off revolver. Quickly effective follow-up shooting is part and parcel to the breed. I have revolvers, . . . love shooting them, . . . enjoy hunting with them, . . . but I fully realize that they are the Model "T"s of HD and SD, . . . and fully deserve to join Marshall Dillon's rig, . . . hanging on a peg somewhere. YMMV May God bless, Dwight __________________ www.dwightsgunleather.com If you can breathe, . . . thank God! If you can read, . . . thank a teacher! If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a Veteran!

March 30, 2011, 09:22 AM	#14
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	That's the funniest post I've seen here in awhile, Dwight. Thanks- I needed a laugh this morning. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

March 30, 2011, 09:52 AM	#16
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	I sometimes carry a snub, but in the house it's a P220 and a 1911 in .45acp.

March 30, 2011, 09:22 PM	#18
atlctyslkr Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 613	Works for me. I keep a 357 loaded with 38's within easy reach at home. I hope it will buy me time to get to my shotgun if I should need it.

March 30, 2011, 09:26 PM	#19
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	Tom Givens of Rangermaster has spoken many times about the increase of mulit-member robbery teams. He advises those who carry revolvers to remember that. And my own advice, if you pack a revolver.... carry two. 11 to 12 immediate shots should cover most situations, but 5 or six might not. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

April 26, 2011, 10:17 PM	#20
LeopardCurDog Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Posts: 81	Can't shoot a revolver from inside a pocket or from a close-to-the-body retention position ....... that side-blast from the cylinder/barrel gap can be nasty. Totally and completely false.

April 26, 2011, 10:44 PM	#22
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	Snubby is better than nothing, but if Bubba and his friends crash thru your in the middle of the night and you have to settle things with 5 shots, while standing there in your shorts (if that), then that's your call. I'm more comforted with a SIG and 20 rd. mag. about 2 1/2 steps away next to my shotgun, and my daily carry gun on the night stand. Guess we're both comfortable with our HD arrangements.

April 26, 2011, 10:50 PM	#23
mnero Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2011 Location: east coast Posts: 244	A snub nose is great for all the reasons you mentioned. They are loud, especially .357 or 44's but so is a 1911. The muzzle flash blinding you is a problem, if it's dark any flash snub or othewise will effect your vision, briefly, so 1911 will to. If you have a 10" barrel maybe but a 1911 Reloading, yes if you are expecting the need for a reload, a semi-auto is way faster. I personaly keep a snub .38 Smith&Wesson on the night stand and a 20 guage coach gun next to the night stand; that would be my reload. If that fails then I guess it is a .357 lever action henry rifle loaded with .38 +p. It is good to have options, but I am guessing, should the very unlikely event of it's need arise, the snub will do __________________ "I'm what ya call a 'conscientious objector'; you know a coward". Bender "futurama"

April 26, 2011, 10:53 PM	#24
Crazy88Fingers Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2010 Location: WesTex Posts: 958	If a bad guy is close enough to grab a 4" barrel, he's probably close enough to just grab the gun itself. If he does that, you might have a little trouble getting the cylinder to rotate. I'm a bit more comfortable with a longer barrel and one extra round. But hey, different strokes. __________________ "And I'm tellin' you son, well it ain't no fun, staring straight down a .44" -Lynyrd Skynyrd

April 26, 2011, 11:06 PM	#25
C0untZer0 Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,555	At first I thought "It's kind of hard to grab a homeowners 12 gauge when you get shot in the gut or the chest and 12 to 16 projectiles are peircing your body and the wad goes down the same wound channel." But now - hey, you've made a beleiver out of me! It's snubbie all the way for me from now on !

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