The .38 Special... underrated?

[Brian48]

I don't think the .38spl is underrated. More like "forgotten about" over the course of the last 30+ years in the wake of the '80s wondernines, the raise of the 40SW, and other ammo advances in old, but still popular calibers like the .45acp. I carry .38 jframe and feel very protected by it.

[keiter]

I love all my semi-autos but I always feel like I'm printing. My S&W 340PD Airlite is what I go to when I would otherwise be without any gun at all. I can always find a place for it and it has never failed me. It fits me better than my cell phone OTB where I draw from fast and accurate. It's a .357 but I only use .38 special for the best results I can get.
keiter

[gunnerbob]

While I have found numerous articles stating .38 Special is marginal, I have found just as many stating it's well suited for CCW use. Along with some old defense loads(FBI loads) and modern JHPs and simular rounds, .38 Special has its place as a defensive caliber for many years to come.

I for one really enjoy the price tag of .38 Special, I can afford to train as often as I'd like. That's what's important IMO.

[MagicTAG]

Carry .38 Special rounds in my S&W Model 60 regularly. Love shooting .357, but keep .38 Special for carry and home defense.

[ricardo900]

I bought my first wheel gun with the Ruger LCR .357 and I can run .38 out of it. sweeet!! IMHO, if you want to run +P speer gold dot out of your .38, i wouldn't consider it "underrated". Same weight and performance as your typical 9mm load. Plus a .40 cal is only .02 of an inch larger. I am more concerned with placement than size. If size was so important, most of the police agencies would issue the .45 instead of the 9mm and that 9mm is an international NATO round. 9mm/.38in works well.

[melloyello]

I bought my first wheel gun with the Ruger LCR .357 and I can run .38 out of it. sweeet!! IMHO, if you want to run +P speer gold dot out of your .38, i wouldn't consider it "underrated". Same weight and performance as your typical 9mm load. Plus a .40 cal is only .02 of an inch larger. I am more concerned with placement than size. If size was so important, most of the police agencies would issue the .45 instead of the 9mm and that 9mm is an international NATO round. 9mm/.38in works well.

Is it true that Ruger the LCR 357 has a really mean bite when you shoot 357 Magnums?

[ricardo900]

YEP! A real nasty one, even with cheap ball ammo. I personally want to quit after 5 rounds!

I think because the gun is a polymer making it light so the recoil is felt in your hand and not absorbed.