quote:

Originally posted by Z06:
I started to love the .38 Spl. many years ago. The first centerfire handgun I ever bought was a S&W Model 19 4” in 1969. Many guns followed and all were fired with .38 Spl. rounds for fun and practice. I never paid much attention to “what was best” for anything, it was always: “what's on sale?” Years later the late great Peter Kokalis, one of the all time best firearms writers, was giving a lecture at a Las Vegas SOF convention I attended and touted what he considered the (current) best self defense round. His pick was the Federal Premium 38 Special (+P) 158 gr. HP NYCLAD ammunition. That big blue plastic coated lead slug could get the job done.
After I got home I started buying a lot of it.
I have shot it in these 3 guns:

Python 6"

’47 M&P 4”

I still have a few 50rnd boxes and the ’47 4” is in my desk drawer with 6 of those.

That Smith & Wesson '47 looks a lot like my tapered barrel Smith & Wesson Model 10. Mine was a Royal Hong Kong Police trade in. Mine was new in the box, unissued/unfired. I replaced the factory grips with the "Uncle Mikes" and had my friends Uncle that was a gunsmith lightly polish the trigger group. It's not lightened or anything, just a good smooth "Duty" trigger job.

I can shot it fast, and accurate. I used it for work a short period before they let us carry anything but .38 Special or autoloaders. Our qualifacations was the FBI Pistol Qualification Course. The lowest I ever shoot with it qas 96 out of 100. Best was a 99 out of 100.

So I always felt comfortable carrying it. Especially since I was carrying 30 rounds on me. 6 in the gun, two speedloaders and two speed strips.

Though I still have a soft spot in my heart for that Smith & Wesson model 10, and I do carry it from time to time. As soon as they let us carry something besides a revolver, I was packing a GLOCK 22 .40 S&W. My qualification score was about the same, but a point or so lower. The GLOCKs trigger just wasn't as nice. But a more powerful round, most rounds, and faster reloads made up for that.

Still though, I shoot the .38 Special the most. It's easy to shoot, accurate, and economical to reload for.

ARman


P.S. beautiful wheelies, and beautiful photography!

When i was an M.P. males carried the 1911 but the females qualified with .38's, they were Colt's,S&W's,and Rugers,all in .38 special.First duty station in Virginia and i spy a S&W M28 in the arms room, it was one of 10 that they had gotten, couldn't remember for what, and they had been sitting. Asked if i could carry it? if i qualified with it no problem, so a quick trip to the indoor range with the NCOIC and i was packing a .357

Center-fire systems is running a 47% off sale on their "old school" (aka "neglected and abused") revolvers right now, and I couldn't pass up a Model 36 for under $200. It looks pretty rough in the photos, but appears to be all there and a decent candidate for a restoration. My J-Frame collection has been lacking a 36, and it ought to be a fun project in January when it's too cold to go outside. We'll see how bad it is when it gets here...hopefully it's something I can work with.

Those M&P / pre model 10 2” with half moon blade sight are the absolute coolest. When I think of 1940’s film noir detective and gangster movies that’s the gun in my head. Congrats on a nice piece.

I like the .38 as a self defense weapon. I like it as a CCW. Fun to shoot? Not so much. At least not my J frame S&W. It hurts after about 20 rounds. Reliable beyond a doubt. If I could only have one of my guns this would be on the short list. It is just not a fun range gun.

I used NyClad as a carry round for years. Very effective. Too bad its discontinued.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
Center-fire systems is running a 47% off sale on their "old school" (aka "neglected and abused") revolvers right now, <<snip>>

I took a look at their website and was shocked at the price of the Rossi M-68 revolvers! I gave a shade over $130.00 for mine back in the late 1970's and still have it, and it's practically mint condition. Based on those prices shown (most over $200 for a very rough condition specimen), mine would be worth well over $300 if I were to sell it... which I never will!

Edit to add: Just did some research and it appears the average private resale price of mine in current condition would be $225-$250, so theirs are definitely over-priced for the condition I was seeing!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bronicabill,

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:

I gave a shade over $130.00 for mine back in the late 1970's and still have it

Yeah, but that was almost 50 years ago, and the dollar hasn't aged as well as us . I remember when I thought $20 an hour was completely unobtainable, and now I won't touch an overtime detail if it's not at least double that.

quote:

I like the .38 as a self defense weapon. I like it as a CCW. Fun to shoot? Not so much. At least not my J frame S&W. It hurts after about 20 rounds.

See if you can get your hands on some non +p 148gr wadcutter target loads. They're accurate, easy on the gun, and easy on your hand. They're great for practice and actually a fair defensive load in a pinch, too, because although they won't expand they'll punch a deep clean hole and don't deflect easily. Their biggest downside is that the flat face makes quick reloads a little tougher.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:

I gave a shade over $130.00 for mine back in the late 1970's and still have it

Yeah, but that was almost 50 years ago, and the dollar hasn't aged as well as us . I remember when I thought $20 an hour was completely unobtainable, and now I won't touch an overtime detail if it's not at least double that.
<<snip>>

Oh yeah, I realize that! My memory is not that great anymore so I'm not sure how off I am on the original purchase price. I did some research on it and it appears that the $130 was the retail price back then, and what I gave for it at Larry's locally would have been more like $95 as he discounts heavily, which I've been a loyal customer for nearly 50 years now! Next time I see Larry in the store I'll ask him if he remembers...

Either way, I'm still surprised that current going price on it used is nearly double of what it originally cost me! Rossi firearms are certainly not top-tier by any means, but I've owned quite a few over the years (currently have 3 Rossi revolvers) including lever guns, and have never been disappointed in them.

Love the cartridge and use it weekly at the range. Reload at home using LWC’s and when I want to feel spicy I shoot 357 since I run all my 38’s in a 357 revolver. Simple and peaceful shooting in my opinion.

Was doing a safe reorganisation today and found a few I had forgotten about. A 4 inch square butt security six in 38 sp (most are 357) and a 2 inch square butt model 10 if came with a fun OG basketweave buchmeier IWB holster. Both from the 70’s.

I don’t think I gave more than 200 each. Both have been used but have lots of life left in them.