The venerable old .38 Special has been getting a bad rap for about fifty years, and its disparagement is undeserved. It was the official police caliber for about 75 years, before the auto-loaders became popular. Maybe I’m an anachronism (well, I AM in my 70s!), but I like the tried-and-true wheel guns of yore.
Many of the .38 Special revolvers are wonderful examples of the gunmaker's art.
I’m with you on that. The 38 is a hell of a round. It’s really a victim of its own success. So widespread for 75 years that it is simply not cool and trendy. For man or beast it is just fine. And wide variety of loads for the task. Inherently accurate too.
I just turned 80 and I too like the 38 snubby as my go to, every day, won't leave home with out hand gun.
I also have a 357 Magnum in my vehicle and carry a 9MM semi-auto on occasion, but I feel very comfortable with my 38 never fail wheel gun.
I understand the younger folks liking a semi-auto because of the high capacity and the ability to rapid fire heavy cover shooting but I feel more at ease with my wheel guns {I do carry speed loaders}.
I would be interested to know if the cartridge was .38 Special or .38 Special +P. A jacketed +P is a step up from the old lead round nose loads.
The venerable old .38 Special has been getting a bad rap for about fifty years, and its disparagement is undeserved. It was the official police caliber for about 75 years
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Official side arm of the Air force, still was in the 60s anyway,.38 6 shooter revolver, loaded with 5 rounds.