I’d say it is an excellent choice.
also take a look at the .38 Ruger Prescott
How recoil averse are you, cause that thing is going to jump a bit.
Do not get a 380 semi-auto, unless you can muscle it to eject a round and chamber a round, EASILY!!
I love it. That price is retail. You can get a better price from a dealer.
XDS 45 4.0
I love this gun, recoil is manageable, its VERY tiny and shoots well. Try it out sometime.
They only carry five rounds of .38 Spl +P ammunition and, at 15 ounces, they weigh about the same as some autoloaders that hold more rounds
How does it fit in your hand? Is it too heavy? Don’t get hung up on names or brands. Make sure you are comfortable with it.
Self-defense at home - a .410 shotgun
While away from home - a .357 S&W
Don’t goof around.
Find a place to shoot one first. Try it out and make sure you can be accurate and consistent with it.
Small guns are some of the hardest to shoot. Mass really helps control recoil. Snubnose revolvers can take quite a bit of arm strength to shoot consistently.
I would suggest looking at some of the new single stack compact 9mm pistols as well. S&W Shield, Glock 43 or Springfield XDS.
I have a S&W shield and can shoot it easily. I have a bad left hand and can still rack the slide without any problems.
http://concealednation.org/2015/08/top-20-most-popular-concealed-carry-firearms-2015-edition/
It has been recommended to me to get a 380, specifically a Bersa 380. (used)
Buy the gun you’re good shooting with, and that you’ll carry all the time because its comfortable. The .38 +P is very good for self defense, it will get the job done. Many LE use the 442 Airweight as a backup. With revolvers you have much less worry about FTF or accidental discharge. I’d carry some +P Buffalo Bore HP for self defense or other comparable HP ammo. Make sure you shoot often and realize what the limitations are of whatever carry gun you choose...the snubbies are an up close an personal defensive weapon.
Cheers.
Dominate
Find what works for you, is comfortable to you and suits your needs( i.e. open carry, concealed carry). Once you have made that decision, practice, practice, practice until you are proficient. A snubnose .38 has sent many a miscreant to his eternal judgement and I feel it’s a good choice. But as others have pointed out that thing has a decent recoil. The right grips will tame it a bit, but it’s still gonna kick. FWIW.
CC
Personally, I like the small Rugers like the LCP or LC9. As some have mentioned though, the slides can be slightly harder to pull due to their small size. That said, it’s like saying a carrot is harder to chew then an apple...it’s that big of a deal.
I would also HEAVILY recommend getting a rubberized grip. Hogue makes some of the best and you can get them for under $10 on Amazon. It’s makes a world of difference and I know people who turned from hating sub-compact pistols to loving them because of the grip. Even makes racking the slide that much easier.
Kimber Solo 9...just right for smaller hands and light enough for concealed.
You should never buy a gun based solely on research. I knew a female that “researched” that an XD was her best bet. I convinced her to go to the range and rent one, and found out that her tiny hands caused limp-wristing, and every round jammed. I know a dude who “researched” that a S&W 686 is what he wanted. Too bad the hammer got stuck every time he drew due to how he wore his shirt.
So go to the range, and test several firearms out. See which one fits well in your hand, which one handles the recoil, which one draws best, etc.
Also, the firearm is only one part of the solution. You should spend as much time researching the ammo and holster as you do the firearm. A nice weapon in a crap holster is a crap weapon. A nice weapon firing crap ammo is a crap weapon.