how to maximize effectiveness with a DAO 38 snubby?

[kmrinpa]

my conundrum...finances tight & only handgun I have is a double action only 38 spl+p snub nose revolver; how would you maximize effectiveness?

I have a mixed cache of defensive loads in regular & +p pressures, use HKS speed loaders, and Bianchi speed strips

 

[Greenbeforeblue]

You want to maximize effectiveness?

There is but ONE way; unconscious proficiency with shot placement. End of story.

 

[User_19876]

my conundrum...finances tight & only handgun I have is a double action only 38 spl+p snub nose revolver; how would you maximize effectiveness?

I have a mixed cache of defensive loads in regular & +p pressures, use HKS speed loaders, and Bianchi speed strips

You’ll have to burn lots of ammo. Practice, practice, practice.

 

[burbguy82]

Beyond practice.....

https://underwoodammo.com/38-special-p-100-grain-xtreme-defender/

 

[Sequoiasoon]

And the tight finances make that practice for shot placement more challenging. Range day with wife and kids may = 1000 rounds at any point for me.

 

[AZjeff]

What ^ they said. The best defensive ammo in the world is useless if you can't hit what you aim at. That's a bad breath range backup handgun.

how would you maximize effectiveness?

Buy as much cheap ammo as you can and practice again and again. Probably not what you wanted to hear. A problem is 38 Special ammo is more expensive than say 9mm.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

my conundrum...finances tight & only handgun I have is a double action only 38 spl+p snub nose revolver; how would you maximize effectiveness?

I have a mixed cache of defensive loads in regular & +p pressures, use HKS speed loaders, and Bianchi speed strips

Underwood ammo.

 

[Greenbeforeblue]

Get some dummy rounds, speed loaders and/or speed strips. Double action dry fire at home, including reloading drills with music playing that you absolutely can not stand turned to full volume. Work on being smooth, fast will come after that. When you master that, add in 25 jumping jacks and 60 seconds of running in place. Learn to overcome the loss of fine motor skill and how to manage gross motor movement/manipulation.

ANY hinderence such as grip conflict with speedloaders or speed strips can be a big deal when the time comes to save yourself. Get rid of as many stumbling blocks as you can before that time comes. Also, consider how you'll carry the weapon in your daily activities. When I was working, I carried a revolver in my waistband in front, strong side, commonly referred to as appendix carry. That provided me quick access while sitting in a car making a hand to hand buy, or standing up. There were times where I pocket carried when doing robbery stake out duty posing as pizza delivery drivers. In those cases I carried in my strong side pocket with my hand already in a shooting grip. Don't let any "expert" tell you that pocket carry is slow, I've out drawn suspects who had a gun pointed straight at me. The only downside to pocket carry is being seated, that makes things difficult. Do all your training, dry and live, as you carry the weapon. I've never been involved in a shooting where a range table was handy to store my reloads or brace against for more accurate fire.

It ain't the arrow, its the Indian.

 

[oldcodger]

Doesn't matter what cartridge/bullet you carry it will fail without good shot placement.

 

[Elkins45]

Uncontroversial advice: practice with it a lot until you can reliably hit the vital area at normal ranges.

Controversial advice: load it with heavy wadcutter loads. I don’t trust that I will get reliable bullet expansion with 38 special hollow points , even +P loads. A full diameter flat faced bullet will give you solid energy transfer and still have sufficient momentum to hit vital organs even through clothing. HP bullets are great when you can drive them fast enough, but a 2” 38 special is not the platform for that.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...S1o5g_HxgchKL4HH8EP3NPi_t3twIHljp0&pid=357002

 

[Greenbeforeblue]

Uncontroversial advice: practice with it a lot until you can reliably hit the vital area at normal ranges.

Controversial advice: load it with heavy wadcutter loads. I don’t trust that I will get reliable bullet expansion with 38 special hollow points , even +P loads. A full diameter flat faced bullet will give you solid energy transfer and still have sufficient momentum to hit vital organs even through clothing. HP bullets are great when you can drive them fast enough, but a 2” 38 special is not the platform for that.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...S1o5g_HxgchKL4HH8EP3NPi_t3twIHljp0&pid=357002

I know for a fact a 148 gn wadcutter will absolutely get it done. The old wives tale to reload them so the projectiles hollow base is facing forward isn't something to be followed, accuracy suffers, sometimes greatly. Then there's the fact that you have reload cartridges in a weapon that only has five or six chances to save you. Quality factory loads yield good accuracy and not much flash or recoil.

The other ammo that nets positive outcomes is the 158 gn lead semi wadcutter hollow point +P. As mentioned, there will be little, if any, expansion of the hollow point but because it's a semi wadcutter it still has the sharp edges that in my opinion, make it a better option because of the increased energy transfer. A hollow based (full wad cutter) can only be pushed so far for velocity because of the hollow skirt. The semi wadcutter is a little heavier, has a flat base and can be pushed to +P velocities. This is what I carried on the job and still carry today. It has a better chance reaching the intended target if there are obstructions, ie behind glass, interior doors etc. As mentioned, the 38 in any variety doesn't have a surplus of penitration power in any barrel length, let alone the hideout standard of 1 7/8" that most J frame snubs have. If you do choose to carry full wadcutters, make your speedloaders or speed strips contain cartridges that have conical projectiles in them. Getting the cylinder charged with full wadcutters is difficult to do even in a low stress situation.

OK I just read everything I typed and realized I'm "that guy". Apologies

 

[Elkins45]

I know for a fact a 148 gn wadcutter will absolutely get it done. The old wives tale to reload them so the projectiles hollow base is facing forward isn't something to be followed, accuracy suffers, sometimes greatly. Then there's the fact that you have reload cartridges in a weapon that only has five or six chances to save you. Quality factory loads yield good accuracy and not much flash or recoil.

The other ammo that nets positive outcomes is the 158 gn lead semi wadcutter hollow point +P. As mentioned, there will be little, if any, expansion of the hollow point but because it's a semi wadcutter it still has the sharp edges that in my opinion, make it a better option because of the increased energy transfer. A hollow based (full wad cutter) can only be pushed so far for velocity because of the hollow skirt. The semi wadcutter is a little heavier, has a flat base and can be pushed to +P velocities. This is what I carried on the job and still carry today. It has a better chance reaching the intended target if there are obstructions, ie behind glass, interior doors etc. As mentioned, the 38 in any variety doesn't have a surplus of penitration power in any barrel length, let alone the hideout standard of 1 7/8" that most J frame snubs have. If you do choose to carry full wadcutters, make your speedloaders or speed strips contain cartridges that have conical projectiles in them. Getting the cylinder charged with full wadcutters is difficult to do even in a low stress situation.

OK I just read everything I typed and realized I'm "that guy". Apologies

The Underwood wadcutters I linked aren’t hollow based, they are solid cast bullets. You can drive them as fast as the cartridge will allow.

 

[ripcord]

Software beats hardware most every time. If you do your job, your revolver will do, too. Hornady Critical Defence 110gr hollowpoints are well regarded. So are 135gr Gold Dots. That said, I have wadcutters in mine.

 

[mr_boring]

I'll say the same thing that I said the last time you posted this.

Run 158 lead.

Squeezing performance from a snub nose .38 is like trying to squeeze moisture out of a brick. No 'magic snub rounds that will one shot drop guaranteed' exist. Hit em in the head or the spine once or prepare to fire until they drop.

 

[Greenbeforeblue]

Owww man

I swallowed the bait, hook, line, sinker AND the bobber. What a dope.

 

[burbguy82]

Also, beyond the actual question of maximizing the wheel gun itself.......

Many have brought up cost of ammo. It is a variable. Depending on the model and condition of the gun, you can sell it, and get a typical modern pistol in 9mm or the like.

I think you will find that the cost per 1000, will quickly favor getting rid of the wheel gun.

 

[football]

Needs more info. What are you trying to accomplish?

A carry gun?

A nightstand only gun?

A glovebox gun?

For carry, a snubby is and has been a decent enough option.

For home defense, surely you could sell it and the ammo and get something with more capacity and firepower.

38 special ammo is very expensive these days, about 3 times the cost of 9mm. That limits training ability for those on a budget.

 

[AZjeff]

38 special ammo is very expensive these days, about 3 times the cost of 9mm. That limits training ability for those on a budget.

I'm seeing practice 38 ammo about 2x the price of 9mm at Midway, $25 vs $13.50. Haven't bought ammo in a long time no idea best place to get it now. Still twice as much shooting with 9mm per dollar.

 

[kmrinpa]

good advice from all... tanx! will incorporate more azoom snap cap training & try to budget for a few more live fire sessions each year

 

[johnmyster]

Snub 38? For civilians I'd consider that a short range break-contact weapon. I wouldn't burn ammo and bruise my palms trying to train up to more offensive/defensive scenarios.

Put some snap caps or spent casings in there to get used to the DA pull, but beyond that, don't try to stretch the mission too far.

I wouldn't necessarily sell it. Even if you have a host of other options, a DA snub is a choice for when you can't dress around anything larger...or when you are traveling to enemy territory with various restrictions. Mag bans, restrictions on JHP, etc.

Save your empties. Someday your hobby my grow and you begin to reload for revolvers, lever actions, etc.