9mm vs. .38 in revolvers

I doubt anyone outside of professional competition shooters will see a difference in their results with a faster trigger return spring, especially when we're focusing on self defense.
The LCR's return is vague and you start pulling the trigger again before it's been fully reset.
 
How many gunfights will you be in? How many times will you need to reload? Oftentimes I don't carry extra ammo because it is just the odds. So in that case the extra capacity will select 9mm.

If you want to reload a revo in critical situation, then you will need to carry moon clips regardless of caliber.

Leaving aside the revo v. semi argument - because you didn't ask about that - there is no way semis are more reliable than revolvers.
 
Some years back I saw a Smith & Wesson 547 for sale. New in Box.

I still have it NIB in the safe. There were only 10,000 made and I can't imagine there's too many left that have never been shot.

I say shoot it and enjoy it. When you die will your estate be worth an extra million for keeping it unfired?

Will you sell it when you need the cash for 5 times more than you paid for it, because you need the cash?

I realized many years ago my guns may be worth more someday unfired but not enough to keep them unfired for me and none of my guns will be worth a million dollars. Not in our lifetime that's for sure.

So I say shoot it, clean it, enjoy it and maybe someday it will be worth only 3 or 4 times what you paid for it.
 
Couple questions

1 whats the point of the gun?
2 why do you need one this bad?

Snip....

Unless I've missed it (and I scrolled through the listings about 5 times), the OP hasn't responded to these or any of the other postings as of yet, which kind of leaves everything else, moot.
 
I say shoot it and enjoy it. When you die will your estate be worth an extra million for keeping it unfired?

Will you sell it when you need the cash for 5 times more than you paid for it, because you need the cash?

I realized many years ago my guns may be worth more someday unfired but not enough to keep them unfired for me and none of my guns will be worth a million dollars. Not in our lifetime that's for sure.

So I say shoot it, clean it, enjoy it and maybe someday it will be worth only 3 or 4 times what you paid for it.

I have another 9mm revolver that I shoot. I think it's a Ruger Blackhawk. Neither requires moon clips.

Toys for the boys.

I actually have a handful of firearms I bought NIB and have kept that way. A Polytech Legend under folder AK47. An older H&K handgun in .22 or .32. An H&K PSP 9mm. A few others.

I bought them at really good prices and just stuck them in the safe.
 
I haven’t responded or thanked you guys for a ton of information but I have been digesting it. I said I was in desperate need of a revolver but it’s more accurate to say there’s room in the safe. I’m afraid it was more of a want than a need. I planned on justifying it (not that I have to) by telling myself that a hammer less revolver in .38 could be concealed easily. Concealed means concealed is a great rule of thumb but one of you old bulletheads countered that with basically a “who gives a crap if you print” attitude and there’s a lot of truth to that. I’m not a big guy but I can pull off a 2:30 carry of a full size 1911 and I don’t think anyone has ever noticed. The exception being youse guyswho are alert and aware enough to take note of who’s carrying. I guess I don’t even look for a print on the people in line with me at Cumby’s. Do you guys notice when someone is printing or carrying? It bums me out a bit to realize how situationally UNAWARE I am. Being aware is easily as important as practicing at the range isn’t it? As it stands in warm weather the Shield carries well and in hot weather I can always drop the .32 cap Seecamp into my pocket. I might not be able to hit an assailant at 10 feet with the damm thing but it’s something. I can’t shoot that gun for crap! It’s like it doesn’t have ANY sights. It was also pointed out that it just doesn’t matter much if the .38 is more powerful than a 9mm or vice versa. The difference is small and getting shot with either would suck. You guys did a lousy job of convincing me to hit the LGS to buy a J frame. I also remembered that 40 plus years ago I had a little Colt Detective Special in .38. I’m not even sure if it had a barrel but it was an angry little gun and not much fun to shoot. It wasn’t a gun that I’d burn a lot of ammo through that’s for sure. I’m still in the market for a wheel gun but I’ll make it more usable than for strictly carry. Maybe something in a cowboy cartridge or maybe something for shooting cloverleaf’s. IDK but there’s always a reason for a new firearm. Thanks and I will see you at the range.
 
I haven’t responded or thanked you guys for a ton of information but I have been digesting it. I said I was in desperate need of a revolver but it’s more accurate to say there’s room in the safe. I’m afraid it was more of a want than a need. I planned on justifying it (not that I have to) by telling myself that a hammer less revolver in .38 could be concealed easily. Concealed means concealed is a great rule of thumb but one of you old bulletheads countered that with basically a “who gives a crap if you print” attitude and there’s a lot of truth to that. I’m not a big guy but I can pull off a 2:30 carry of a full size 1911 and I don’t think anyone has ever noticed. The exception being youse guyswho are alert and aware enough to take note of who’s carrying. I guess I don’t even look for a print on the people in line with me at Cumby’s. Do you guys notice when someone is printing or carrying? It bums me out a bit to realize how situationally UNAWARE I am. Being aware is easily as important as practicing at the range isn’t it? As it stands in warm weather the Shield carries well and in hot weather I can always drop the .32 cap Seecamp into my pocket. I might not be able to hit an assailant at 10 feet with the damm thing but it’s something. I can’t shoot that gun for crap! It’s like it doesn’t have ANY sights. It was also pointed out that it just doesn’t matter much if the .38 is more powerful than a 9mm or vice versa. The difference is small and getting shot with either would suck. You guys did a lousy job of convincing me to hit the LGS to buy a J frame. I also remembered that 40 plus years ago I had a little Colt Detective Special in .38. I’m not even sure if it had a barrel but it was an angry little gun and not much fun to shoot. It wasn’t a gun that I’d burn a lot of ammo through that’s for sure. I’m still in the market for a wheel gun but I’ll make it more usable than for strictly carry. Maybe something in a cowboy cartridge or maybe something for shooting cloverleaf’s. IDK but there’s always a reason for a new firearm. Thanks and I will see you at the range.

I am on the lookout but not trying that hard to see if others are carrying. Oversized, untucked shirt and 5.11 tactical cargo pants? I am going to try and see the outline of a gun lol. I have noticed it a few times, mainly when a) someone tugs on the hem of their shirt making sure it hasn't ridden up over a gun (this is a MASSIVE tell) or b) when they reach or bend down for something.

If you have a good holster with a claw, don't wear obvious tactical clothing and don't fiddle with the gun or your cover garment it's not obvious you're carrying. Wearing a thicker cotton shirt with a pattern helps too. If you're really concerned get a smartcarry holster. P365 + aliengear IWB is very hard to see and super comfortable.
 
I haven’t responded or thanked you guys for a ton of information but I have been digesting it. I said I was in desperate need of a revolver but it’s more accurate to say there’s room in the safe. I’m afraid it was more of a want than a need. I planned on justifying it (not that I have to) by telling myself that a hammer less revolver in .38 could be concealed easily. Concealed means concealed is a great rule of thumb but one of you old bulletheads countered that with basically a “who gives a crap if you print” attitude and there’s a lot of truth to that. I’m not a big guy but I can pull off a 2:30 carry of a full size 1911 and I don’t think anyone has ever noticed. The exception being youse guyswho are alert and aware enough to take note of who’s carrying. I guess I don’t even look for a print on the people in line with me at Cumby’s. Do you guys notice when someone is printing or carrying? It bums me out a bit to realize how situationally UNAWARE I am. Being aware is easily as important as practicing at the range isn’t it? As it stands in warm weather the Shield carries well and in hot weather I can always drop the .32 cap Seecamp into my pocket. I might not be able to hit an assailant at 10 feet with the damm thing but it’s something. I can’t shoot that gun for crap! It’s like it doesn’t have ANY sights. It was also pointed out that it just doesn’t matter much if the .38 is more powerful than a 9mm or vice versa. The difference is small and getting shot with either would suck. You guys did a lousy job of convincing me to hit the LGS to buy a J frame. I also remembered that 40 plus years ago I had a little Colt Detective Special in .38. I’m not even sure if it had a barrel but it was an angry little gun and not much fun to shoot. It wasn’t a gun that I’d burn a lot of ammo through that’s for sure. I’m still in the market for a wheel gun but I’ll make it more usable than for strictly carry. Maybe something in a cowboy cartridge or maybe something for shooting cloverleaf’s. IDK but there’s always a reason for a new firearm. Thanks and I will see you at the range.
Throw in an enter key once in a while man

Sweet Jesus some of us tried to read that on our phones
 
Trigger, grip, finish, accuracy, weight all for the low price of twice that of a Taurus.
S&Ws are sexier I agree. I picked up a SP101 in .38 only cause I'm a uuge pussy. It's a great hideaway gun to stick on a magnet mount somewhere. Trigger is whatever, I agree. The factory grips with the side inserts I always thought looked retarded so easy switch to a Pachmayr. Heavy is good, heavy is reliable. If it doesn't work you can always hit him with it.

signal-2024-11-21-103448_002.jpeg
 
I had an SP101. I sold it quickly. It was too heavy for pocket carry. If I’m going to carry a gun in a holster, I can carry a gun that has higher capacity, is easier to reload, and is easier to shoot than an SP101 or steel J-frame. To me, a steel gun revolver the size of a J-frame is simply completely pointless.
 
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I had an SP101. I sold it quickly. It was too heavy for pocket carry. If I’m going to carry a gun in a holster, I can carry a gun that has higher capacity, is easier to reload, and is easier to shoot than an SP101 or steel J-frame. To me, a steel gun the size of a J-frame is simply completely pointless.
A steel heavy .38 is good for someone who has zero experience operating a handgun and needs to use it for defense in a pinch. I had an ex gf years back who would stove pipe every round from a Glock but could shoot an SP101 no problem.
 
I had an SP101. I sold it quickly. It was too heavy for pocket carry. If I’m going to carry a gun in a holster, I can carry a gun that has higher capacity, is easier to reload, and is easier to shoot than an SP101 or steel J-frame. To me, a steel gun revolver the size of a J-frame is simply completely pointless.

A steel heavy .38 is good for someone who has zero experience operating a handgun and needs to use it for defense in a pinch. I had an ex gf years back who would stove pipe every round from a Glock but could shoot an SP101 no problem.
I mostly agree on both counts.

A steel frame 38 special is OK for beginners who won't train much, but I strongly prefer a full sized 6 shot revolver for this role. K-frame, L-frame, and GP100 all serve this role well. A steel SP101 is OK, but the smaller size and lower capacity are not helpful.

I personally don't find any use for steel frame snubbies, but I think there are niche uses for a small steel frame .357 with a 3" barrel. With the right grips, a S&W model 60 or a Ruger SP101 are both manageable with full load .357. And to me that makes them acceptable for protection from animals up to black bears or so. I'm not saying its a great choice, but if a 4" 686 could do the job, then a 3" model 60 is not completely ridiculous.

I will say again that the grips are a critical factor in using a small frame revolver with .357. With small grips, and with most of the stock grips, magnum loads are painful and very difficult to control. But I have used some hand filling Pachmayr grips on J-frames and they made a huge difference. For me, they made .357 rounds manageable, but it is very dependent on exactly how the grips fit your hands. Most people would be better served by a larger gun.
 
I had an SP101. I sold it quickly. It was too heavy for pocket carry. If I’m going to carry a gun in a holster, I can carry a gun that has higher capacity, is easier to reload, and is easier to shoot than an SP101 or steel J-frame. To me, a steel gun revolver the size of a J-frame is simply completely pointless.
Was about to disagree on the J frame being pointless, but you focused on steel and I think I would agree with you on that as that means magnums and magnums in a short barrel are unnecessary and a waste of potential.

There are steel long barrel J frames, Charter makes 4 inch and use to make 6 inch long barrel .357's and those weigh less because they don't have side plates.

The problem with the SP101 is it's the size of a beefy K frame that sucks for pocket carry and if I'm going to IWB something, it may as well be an L frame or GP100 that holds 7 instead of 5.
 
The problem with the SP101 is it's the size of a beefy K frame that sucks for pocket carry and if I'm going to IWB something, it may as well be an L frame or GP100 that holds 7 instead of 5.
Or a Glock 43x or Glock 19, etc...

I truly love my K-frames, but for me a Glock 19 is objectively better.
 
I haven’t responded or thanked you guys for a ton of information but I have been digesting it. I said I was in desperate need of a revolver but it’s more accurate to say there’s room in the safe. I’m afraid it was more of a want than a need. I planned on justifying it (not that I have to) by telling myself that a hammer less revolver in .38 could be concealed easily. Concealed means concealed is a great rule of thumb but one of you old bulletheads countered that with basically a “who gives a crap if you print” attitude and there’s a lot of truth to that. I’m not a big guy but I can pull off a 2:30 carry of a full size 1911 and I don’t think anyone has ever noticed. The exception being youse guyswho are alert and aware enough to take note of who’s carrying. I guess I don’t even look for a print on the people in line with me at Cumby’s. Do you guys notice when someone is printing or carrying? It bums me out a bit to realize how situationally UNAWARE I am. Being aware is easily as important as practicing at the range isn’t it? As it stands in warm weather the Shield carries well and in hot weather I can always drop the .32 cap Seecamp into my pocket. I might not be able to hit an assailant at 10 feet with the damm thing but it’s something. I can’t shoot that gun for crap! It’s like it doesn’t have ANY sights. It was also pointed out that it just doesn’t matter much if the .38 is more powerful than a 9mm or vice versa. The difference is small and getting shot with either would suck. You guys did a lousy job of convincing me to hit the LGS to buy a J frame. I also remembered that 40 plus years ago I had a little Colt Detective Special in .38. I’m not even sure if it had a barrel but it was an angry little gun and not much fun to shoot. It wasn’t a gun that I’d burn a lot of ammo through that’s for sure. I’m still in the market for a wheel gun but I’ll make it more usable than for strictly carry. Maybe something in a cowboy cartridge or maybe something for shooting cloverleaf’s. IDK but there’s always a reason for a new firearm. Thanks and I will see you at the range.
My relationship with revolvers has been a rocky one. Every few years in the 30 years I’ve owned guns, I’ve gotten the itch for a revolver, enjoyed them for a year or two, decided I can’t hit crap compared to even a cheap 1911, and sold them for yet another semi auto.

My very first centerfire handgun was a Taurus model 85. It was a terrible choice for a first “real” gun. It was difficult to get great groups with and had flinch inducing recoil. I followed it up with a Glock 17, and immediately became a better pistol shooter.

Next up was a Rossi somethingorother in .357. That one had a 6” barrel and was heavy enough to soak up the recoil. But the trigger was shite, it was expensive to feed compared to a 9mm, and it ultimately didn’t hold my interest.

Next time the itch needed scratching, it was a S&W 686. That was my first quality revolver, and I actually enjoyed that one. I replaced the factory springs with Wilson Combat ones, and the trigger became, light, smooth, and predictable. I started hand loading .357, so cost wasn’t an issue. She was a great gun, but, she also didn’t hold my interest, and I still didn’t shoot her as well as any of my autos. When I had the chance to trade her for an Sig 226, I did.

Fast forward through a couple of cheap, crappy, .22 revolvers (I’m looking at you Ruger Wrangler), and I started shooting my buddies 686…and actually starting to shoot it well. Hitting the plate at 100 yards offhand, making decent groups with .38 wadcutters. He’d bring it just about every week, and every week I’d enjoy it a little more. Then he added a Python. And that old wheel gun lust reared its head again. I found a good deal on a vintage police trade in Model 64, and it was love at first bang. 40+ years of use made it the smoothest DA pull I’ve ever felt, and I shoot her better in DA than SA. Then I was off to the races, I quickly added the aforementioned 642. My first range trip with it, I made a 3” group at 25yards, and as soon as I slipped it into a cheap clip on suede holster in my waistband my body went ahhhhhhhh.

I’ve since added a Ruger NM Blackhawk in 45LC/ACP and a Heritage Rough Rider in .22LR/WMR, and am constantly on the lookout for my next wheelgun.

Looking back on my journey, the conclusion I’ve come to is that a snub nose revolver is a terrible gun to hand to a new shooter. It’s designed for concealability above shootability, and takes some skill to shoot well. A much better choice for a new shooter, is a mid size semi auto (Glock 19 or the million others like it). However, the more I progress as a shooter, the easier it is for me to shoot revolvers well, and the better I shoot them.

OP, sounds like you already have a safe full of guns to take to war. In that case, definitely give a revolver a chance. If you’re like me, you might have to go through a few of them before they start to click, but once they do, it’s kinda magic.

On J frames (Or at least the 642s they sell now), the boot grips they come with are awful IMO. I bought mine used, and the former owner also included a set of Pachmayr grips that are much better. They are actually a little thinner than the boot grips, but add just enough rubber below the frame to get my pinky onto the grip. Makes the gun feel way more controllable.
 
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Here’s a group I made offhand with my 642 at 50 yards just a few weeks ago. Not sure where round #5 went (it was off the paper), but the other 4 would have ended the threat. This is why I have no problem carrying the little gat.
 

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Some years back I saw a Smith & Wesson 547 for sale. New in Box.

I still have it NIB in the safe. There were only 10,000 made and I can't imagine there's too many left that have never been shot.

That’s very cool. Now I want one too.
 
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