Is the 5-shot .38 snub still enough?

[TunnelRat]

Originally Posted by glider

Hearing loss is better than life loss. A chiefs special really isn't any harder to shoot than a full size revolver all things being equal. Different handguns require a different level of concentration for various reasons, poor sights, stiff trigger etc. but the procedure is the same. I would say that a short barrel revolver with good sights and a good trigger is easier to shoot well than a full size revolver with bad sights and a heavy trigger pull. All my life I have heard that a short barrel is much harder to shoot well and I have never found that to be correct! As to whether 5 rounds is enough, well I suppose that depends on whether or not you can hit what you're shooting at. I think FBI stats are 3 feet ,3 minutes and 3 shots is the time and distance and shots fired in a self defense situation. I have no idea if that is correct. I am sure that 5 rounds isn't enough for a police officer but probably is for a civilian, entirely different deal.

As I responded to your earlier comment about the “Rule of 3s”, it’s not 3 minutes. 3 minutes is an eternity. It’s 3 seconds (and also 3 yd).

[fastbolt]

Man, that old "3/3/3" bromide has gotten more circulation (albeit with some numerical differences) than the academy drill that escaped into the wild on poor Dennis as a 'rule' ...

[TunnelRat]

Originally Posted by fastbolt

Man, that old "3/3/3" bromide has gotten more circulation (albeit with some numerical differences) than the academy drill that escaped into the wild on poor Dennis as a 'rule' ...

Agreed. As I said earlier, it’s a generalization, not a rule, and showing that generalization to be true based on what recorded data exists isn’t easy.

My main point in bringing it up a second time is for anyone that hasn’t been in a self defense situation, if you do some scenario based training you quickly realize that 3 minutes is a long time. Even if you don’t have the option to do that type of training, watch some bodycam footage. There are scenarios that go from some level of caution to someone dying in a matter of seconds.

[jstert]

one can customize a 38sp snubbie to one’s taste, without impairing reliability, by changing grips and ammo as desired. revolvers offer a totally intuitive manual of arms, which in moments of extreme stress, offers much reassurance. if only 38sp ammo were close to 9mm or even 380acp in price…

a 38sp snubbie is a prudent ccw to get a normal civilian out of immediate mortal trouble that comes to him, not necessarily an ideal sidearm to use if one chooses to, or must, seek out trouble.