The 38 Special - Still good for Self-Defense? 

Really enjoying your videos!

The average concealed carrier is not fighting a war, more than adequate

The .38 Special has helped people take dirt naps since 1898 and still a very viable cartridge.. 👍

A wise man once said, “you can’t miss fast enough in a gunfight to catch up”

I find the 38 snub, very compact, reliable. User friendly.

I'm old Old technology still works 😅

As an aviator, I carried a S&W Model 10 .38 spc in the Army until I got out in 1992. Loved that gun. My off duty / EDC has been a J-frame .38 snubby for 30 years. I still carry it today.

It is nice to listen to someone on RU-vid who's past lends them some credibility .

I'm an old fart with a 4 inch Colt Diamondback 38 in my night table and a box of Win +P's. I sleep very soundly at night.

New smith and wesson airweight came out during shot show, and people were going crazy about it. Id say .38 revolvers are still very popular.

As an army aviator in Korea in the early 80’s, I was issued .a 38 snubby revolver. I think it was a five shot Remington, but not certain. It works and is tuckable under the shoulder quite nicely. I think it still has a place.

I wouldn’t want to be hit by a .38 Special.

The high percentage of one shots stops is due to the cops actually slowing down a bit and putting the bullet there it needs to go, because they know they have to make every shot count with limited capacity.

I recently did a video testing Remington .357 Mag 125 gr SJHP, the Remington .38 Spl+P 158 gr LHP and your old Illinois State Police load the Federal 115 gr 9BPLE+p+ JHP. They all did great, but the one that impressed me the most of those three was the 158 gr LHP. Tore through a jack o lantern with a waterbag, a plastic quart of water bottle and went deep into the wet cushion towel bullet stop and expanded very well. My dad turned me to the plain jane .38 Special 4 inch service revolver 20 years ago. I found it a great gun. A Colt Official Police and S&W M15. Dad has a tapered M10 himself.

In the late 80's CID (Criminal Investigation Division) and aviators carried. 38's. After Ileft the Army I was issued a Smith 64 by Phoenix AZ. Today as a citizen I carry a 642. THANKS

I agree. Ammo choice is important. Choose wisely.

The old +p FBI load is a great round. I worked up a standard load using a 146 gr lead hollow point that expands well and penetrates 12-14 inches in clear gel, basically duplicating the 9mm 147 loads. It’s great for the recoil sensitive folks.

Spot on I became a LEO in 1959 so my experience mirrors yours only mine started earlier. A great video I hope every gun owner watches it.

My daily carry is a Smith & Wesson model 36. 1984. 2 inch chief special. Picked it up for $400 absolute mint condition. I don’t think it was ever used. What a beauty. Due to the age and not being plus P rated I’ve decided just to carry standard pressure, Underwood Soft lead black, cherry hollowpoint semi wad cutter.

i love my metal guns better than my plastic ones, thats for sure!

Dick, thank you for this excellent video. FWIW, I’ll offer my - not to indicate this is universal wisdom - suggested .38 Special snubbie solution . . . as well as my rationale for it: 1. I often carry a stainless Ruger SP-101, with a 2.25 inch barrel, and chambered for .357 magnums. Of course, this is a larger, a heavier and a far more robust snubbie than a Smith J Frame, but it’s not prohibitively large/heavy, and the extra .375 inch barrel provides somewhat enhanced velocity and increased sight radius. In addition, SP-101’s (especially those chambered for magnums) are truly a superb quality, tank-like-tough design, with superior accuracy, reliability and durability. 2. I load this SP-101 with Buffalo Bore, 158 grain, .38 Special +P, lead semi-wadcutter hollow points. These projectiles are made of a lead alloy that is very soft and therefore that promotes comparatively great expansion. In addition, this round includes a gas check, which essentially eliminates lead fouling in the barrel’s lands and groves. As we’ve come to expect from Buffalo Bore, this is a stout round - however, in the SP-101 the recoil is far more manageable than it would be in a J Frame - and basically it performs like a “.357 magnum light.” At 77, with 60+ years of shooting experiences, I’m a fudd. But I don’t want or need to be responsible for a fusillade of bullets down range AND my SP-101 loaded with the foregoing Buffalo Bore ammunition is more than adequate for the vast majority lawful defense scenarios. “Only hits count,” as LtCol Cooper and President Theodore Roosevelt would remind us.

Most of the trap goblin run when the first shot is fired by the victim

Great videos! Love seeing someone praise the firearms and calibers that I grew up with. One other thing to mention about revolver loads, especially if you hand load, is the ability to make special loads for special purposes. For instance, small diameter shot loads with wads made from light cardboard cut from empty cereal boxes or soft drink or beer cartons, to separate the shot from the powder and to close the end of the cartridge. I like that two-ball load too. A term used to describe a 12 gauge shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot was "the poor mans machine gun".

I've settled on the 38 Special 158 gr. +P LSWCHP from Remington for my needs.

Thanks again. Love the series.

Fantastic video. Very informative!

Thanks Mr F. For more great information!

Thanks for the video! I've been enjoying this series. I appreciate your opinion on these cartridges, and I always look forward to the next one. Thanks again!

Thanks for what you do sir . Keep ‘em coming please! 😄🙏💕

Great presentation. Learned a lot. Many thanks 🙏🙏🙏

Excellent presentation and instructional quality. I have watched a lot of videos on this topic and this video is a standout! I will continue to follow you. Thanks

I have a model 10, which is a smooth shooter. I picked it up in a pawn shop-gun store about 20 years ago. It's in beautiful shape!

This has been a really great series. Thanks for putting it together.

Really enjoyed this video. I am an old retired LE from the 60’s into the 80’s. I can relate to all your info. One in particular was your loading 148 grain hollow base wad cutters. That was my primary carry in 38 snubs and the 158 grain +P lead hollow point in my service revolver. 9’s were issued about 6 months after retirement.

Thank you!!! Excellent video, very informative!!!

Python 3” in a Miami for me in winter when I want to be stylish. A cool cucumber with a six gun is better than spray-n-pray thug.

Very thorough; appreciate it.

Another great, informative video

38 is what I always carry, it seems to still put a hole in what it shoots at.

Really good job with these videos Mr. Fairburn! Very good detailed information on various topics we are thankful for your knowledge and experience . Thanks for sharing your time and we look forward to the 357 video.

Great video, lots of good information here. Thanks

Keep’em coming. I stop whatever I’m doing at the time to watch these.

This channel is so informative and I always look forward to your videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!

I'm really enjoying these videos Mr. Fairburn. I enjoy everything you put out though. It's much appreciated Sir.

This is the best education on the .38 Special I’m have seen yet.

Excellent video. This channel has quickly become one of my favorites for being so informative, with a wealth of knowledge available.

Love the old pics with the theme song, particularly the LE ones

Excellent, informative video.

Great content. I am one of the old dudes that his first duty weapon was a revolver. We had brown uniforms, wheelguns and filing cabinets. Times have changed but I have noticed an increase in interest in revolvers.

Thanks for being sensible, I agree 👍

Another excellent and informative video. I really enjoy your testing knowledge of the various cartridges and their performance. This video took me back to the qualifying line firing at 50 yards, strong hand, five shots, reload, and five more. Standing position, sideways, and weak hand in your pocket. It surprises some of today's shooters that you could actually score really well with that position with a .38 revolver.

I've been enjoying your caliber series. I really like my 642 smith in sticky holster in front pocket to go along with what ever is on my belt. You take care.🇺🇲🔥🌲🔪

Appreciate the presentation

Definitely enjoying these videos , dam sure looking forward to the 357 Mag video , i carried a GP100 alot of years up until recently when average criminal starting carrying glocks with 30 round mags with switches on them

First time here. I carry a j frame model 36. Appreciate the semi wad hp info. Subscribed!

LOVE THESE VIDEOS!!!! I 💙 my j-frames and Colt Detective special. When I first started as a brand new cop, for our 2” AIRWEIGHT back-up guns we were issued a Remington 95gr sjhp round. It was crap garbage. For .38 duty revolvers out of a 4”bbl and steel framed 2” guns, we were issued that junk “Treasury load” (Federal 110gr +P+ sjhp). But then soon quickly transitioned to Beretta 92’s and the .38’s went away, except for the 2” back-up guns. The department also dumped that crap 95gr round and told everyone to use the Treasury load for 2” back up guns. One day, the powers that be then switched to the Speer gold dot 125gr +P JHP. Then Speer changed the load to a 135gr bullet and also in a +P loading. Both are garbage performers out of a 2” wheel gun. To this day, my former employer continues to issue that 135gr Gold Dot. I think id rather have been allowed to carry the 158gr swchp. Now retired, I still have unopened boxes of the Gold dots and haven’t switched the ammo in my 2” wheel guns yet.

Excellent worek! tHANK YOU

I didn’t get a 9mm semiauto until 1998 when my service changed from a S&W Model 10 shooting the 158 gr SWC HP +P. we had a 5 inch barrel on ours. I still have a few revolvers in the stable but I now carry (on duty) a Glock 45. Great video series. Thanks for doing it!

You always provide wise, sound advice. I always watch for your next vids...Thanks!

What a great RU-vid Channel! For those who are looking for technical info with easy vocabulary, look no further. Looking forward to watching every single video. Best wishes all the way from Brazil.

Great video! I've started carrying my 4" S&W Model 64-7 concealed with a pair of Safariland speedloaders, and feel well-armed with it. It conceals just fine, and appreciate its extreme accuracy. I carry my revolver in a bellyband with an IWB holster with a large leather pad, and it distributes the weight beautifully. I can wear it for hours.

Good video! I regularly carry either a 3" model 10 or a 2" 642, and a couple of speedloaders.

I only use my snubbie for home defense because I would have a Homefield advantage of barriers to protect me and time for reloads without being exposed to the intruder(s), but never in the streets! I always carry an auto pistol for out of the home. PS, very nice and Honest review. I really enjoyed your video.

Another great video!

Hello Mr. Fairburn, I recommend the following Paul Harrel video: Concealed Carry: 38 Special Ammo Selection (Featuring Hornady Critical Defense Lite) He does some testing and addresses the merits of the old-school "standard load" semi-wadcutter relative to more modern choices. His conclusion on that question is at the end of the video around the 30 minute mark.

Thank you for this informative, accessible video. I “liked” it and have subscribed to your channel. I am a senior who has sought this past year to learn and practice fundamentals of selecting, storing, firing and maintaining firearms for self-defense. What impresses me about this video is your clarity, pace, illustrations (i.e., use of images) and efficiency in providing so much useful information in 22 minutes. The content helps refine and expand my understanding of choices among firearms and ammunition. Thanks again.

I enjoy revolvers. A j-frame works in the tripple digit heat down south when a t-shirt and shorts are worn. I carry a G43x often if I go to the city.

Excellent, thank you a lot for this information, I am a long time fan of . 38 for target and range shooting, being shooting 38 since 8 years old and now I'm 50 years old and. 38 revolvers are delicious to shoot, I live in Panamá City, Central América, high crime down here in this parts, but I've always trusted my 38 revolver, now with your video my revolver becomes even more worthy and trustfull as a defense gun

The lead round nose actually did pretty well as first manufactured with soft lead. They hardened the lead later to get better barrier penetration and that is when they really began to have some issues. I use hardcast 150g wadcutters in my 2" barrels since expansion is very iffy in a 2" barrel. You are spot on with the 158 semi wadcutters hollow points as well. Good video, Thanks.

Good talk. I'm from the exact same school of thought, and I new it for sure when you brought up the backward wadcutter reload, then the buck shot load. I'm still a diehard revolver fan. - Godspeed

Very objective overview. Having started my career in ‘72, I started out with wheelguns. When I retired in ‘13, I reverted back to wheelguns. I now carry a S&W 3” mdl 36. At my age all I want is a GFO weapon. Just found your channel but because of your honest presentation, I will be subscribing.

I thought it was very interesting about the lead 158gr hollow points being the top performing load of that study. That is basically the load I use in my 38s for varmints. I cast them with 20:1 alloy, so they are very soft, I use Alliant PowerPistol and get about 1050 fps, bullet weight is a little over 160gr. I was amazed at how much penetration and expansion I got in water jugs! Thanks for the video, I've been enjoying them!

Again great job .

👍 outstanding!! use to carry a 586 sw. for duty. one heavy firearm.

My primary carry weapon is a snub nose .38 spl. It is the weapon that will be pulled first , every time. Simply because I am very accurate and exceedingly Fast On target with it. My rounds are custom loaded by a very small manufacturing group and consist of a pure lead invented hollow bas wadcutter that has been pre stressed with deep internal grooves that look similar to a star head bit. The hollow is then filled with silicone to prevent clogging. They use a duplex powder that I will not mention here but the burn rate is FAST. I must mention though that my backup is a 1911A1 in .45acp

Excellent video! I used to carry a 3" S&W Model 19 or 66 as a primary and a Model 60 as a backup (ankle). My primary was loaded with full power 357 loads, but all my spare ammunition was 38 Special 158 grain LSWCHP +P, so there was no confusion with reloads.

I used to load the backwards wad-cutters for an M-49 Smith J frame, leave the base outside the case, and use a Lee case deburring tool to put a bit of champher on the "nose", to ease clambering. 5 gr. of Unique, and standard primer, very accurate out to the 25 yds. Max at the indoor range... never had access to a crono to get a velocity check...

Just inherited a Taurus m85,never fired. Really injoyed your point of view.

Very good videos, earned a Sub, and talk a lot of the same things I have been saying. I have vids on each caliber of Official FBI Test Data I found just did .380 then .38, I am doing Meat & Bone Target Ballistics Tests...1st one I did was .38 snub Hydrashok Deep vs UMC sjhp

In this day and age it's hard to find RU-vid videos with a lot of information on revolvers and their ammunitions but they're out there like yours and yours as well presented. I only own Smith & Wesson revolvers, though I am starting to look for the semi-auto soon. In my Smith & Wesson 586-3 4-in barrel I do use the 38 + P semi-wad hollow point. In my model 60 2-in barrel, which I recently purchased brand new a few months ago, I'm using the standard 38 semi-wide hollow point for now. I have to get better with that revolver as it's a little bit more snappy and I want to get more accurate before I move up to the 38 +P for that revolver as well.

I started in corrections and when doing prisoner transport my gun was loaded with 38 SPL hollow points. Later I went to federal law enforcement and was forced to use a bottom feeder. I have nothing against the bottom feeders, especially one with a good red dot optic. I will often carry a .41 Magnum revolver in town with the J Frame 38 SPL as a BUG. Heck, I have a BUG even when I carry a bottom feeder. The 5 shot 38 SPL is a viable round in an easy to conceal package in my opinion and makes a great BUG or a primary in locations that it’s best you are not found armed. Liking your videos and I’ve already subscribed.

Great video. I have and enjoy both revolvers and automatics…but I gotta say I’m a “revolver guy”. I have carry options that include both but more often than anything else, it’s my trusty Charter Arms Undercover (standard weight, not “Lite”) .38 Special snubbie that is on my person, usually accompanied by one speedloader. I go with Federal’s “Hydra Shok Deep” 130 grain +P for carry ammo; not the most powerful but I find it to be very accurate out of my particular revolver. If I want more power I opt for a Ruger SP101 3” with Hornady Critical Duty FTX 135 grain .357 Magnum on board. It’s a handful to shoot and it feels like having a canteen in my pocket, but it still conceals decently and I’m getting better with it from practice. No auto that I know of - that you can stuff in a pocket - delivers a 450 foot pound punch. Just love the strength, reliability, and simplicity of revolvers. They are definitely not obsolete.

I carry a S&W Model 37 Chief’s Special in a Bianchi ankle holster for a back up. I’ve got to find some of those 158gr. LSWCHP. Thanks for the info.

We're waiting for that 327 Federal magnum review!!!

Thank you for these reviews. I was not aware of the existence of the 158 grain semi wad cutter hollow point. I will have to add some, Winchester's web site says they still make them. One thing about the reverse hollow base wad cutter was it was extremely inaccurate at any distance. I would not want to attempt to shoot a bad guy holding a loved one hostage even at 30 feet if my revolver was loaded with that round..

great job!

For the recoil-sensitive, concerned strictly about muggers or such, I think a 38 Special with 110 grain low-recoil loads are good. They perform fine versus the human body, and no one wants shot with anything. Three shots will discourage 95%+ of perps.

Great round 🇺🇸

Wheelgunner here from the FAR EAST 😊.. At 75..l still roll My own.. NEW SUBSCRIBER SIR 👍🙏

The sw m10 may have been the single most popular handgun world wide during the 20th century.

I just found your videos. And subscribed.

A crimson trace laser on the grip is a great addition to these small guns .

Very sensible. I’ve got the 5 shot snubbies but also an 8 shot smith and Wesson 327PC 357mag and 38+p is very manageable in it.

What is often forgot about is the Smith & Wesson .38-44 Heavy duty which came out in 1930 shooting a .38 Special load with a 158gr bullet at 1125fps which is substantially hotter than any +P load today.

Just watched a video on Jim Cirillo and the stake out squad.

I know a federal agent, he was in OIS., working under cover. Carried a smith and wesson Ladysmith 357 mag in a boot, a guy tried to stab him at a kitchen table the guy was around 6'2 and over 220 lbs, he said that lady smith took care of the situation with 1 center mass shot. It wasn't a .38 but that was all I need to know.

Came across your channel when looking at 10mm ammo performance; your video on 10mm was excellent as was this. What a great wealth of knowledge you're sharing.

Do a 44 magnum for self defence. Like your content

Love this tube👌

I have been enjoying these videos very much. Thanks