2006-11-02 07:43:05 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
Bound's hubby here:
Contrary to what many of the good people here believe, the .38 Special is an extremely accurate handgun/cartridge combination. Power-wise, this cartridge leaves much to be desired.
The .38 Special has a very high accuracy potential. The .38 Special firing 148 grain hollow-based wadcutters is extremely accurate. This is the standard target shooters load for centerfire matches [50 yards slowfire, 25 yards timed fire, 25 yards rapid fire: all shot 1 handed]. The accuracy recipe that handloaders use is a 148 grain (hollow-base) wadcutter over 2.8 grains of "Bullseye" producing between 750 and 800 fps, and you can expect to group 10 shots into a cloverleaf no larger than 2" at 25 yards. This load is light recoiling, which allows the pistol to be controlled quite easily, lending to its accuracy!
Premier target pistols have been made by the leading manufacturers. The best accuracy comes from target grade handguns chambered in .38 Special, not .357 Magnum. Premier target pistols by Colt included the Gold Cup National Match (in .38 Special/.38AMU; 5" barrel), the Colt Python (6" barrel), and the Colt Officer's Model Match (6" barrel). Premier Smith & Wesson target pistols include the Model 52 Master (.38 Special wadcutter only, 5" barrel only), and the Model 14 K-38 Masterpiece (6" barrel). All are extremely accurate pistols when fired with the .38 Special wadcutters.
What the .38 Special lacks in power, it more than makes up for in accuracy and shot placement. Accuracy and controllability have made this round popular for over 100 years.
2006-11-02 09:28:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's decent, but not great. It's better than a 9mm on power but it doesn't get the hairy chested vote for a super loud bang and vast muzzle flash.
Accuracy is as good as anything else, I used to shoot a five shot Korth target pistol with 38 wad cutters at 25 yard UIT targets, I wasn't a great shot but I could put every round inside 3" at that range.
It's funny how people have a knee jerk reaction instead of answering the question.
If I was trying to kill someone with a revolver I'd use a 44 magnum or maybe even something bigger. But if I was going to get my mother or girlfriend to shoot it and wanted them to shoot it more than once then I might well go for a 38.
2006-11-02 10:14:26 · answer #2 · answered by Chris H 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
plenty accurate. the power is rated less than a 9mm. a .38 special should be the minimum caliber for self-defense. the j-frames are great pocket guns. they are not considered an offense weapon, usually because the low punch and restricted capacity of revolvers.
check out
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/index.html
he has some good write ups on .38 special
2006-11-02 11:42:31 · answer #3 · answered by more than a hat rack 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are not bad. The were the standard police issue for many years. They are comparable in performance to a .9mm para..
However, if you are looking for a defense weapon rather than a plink for fun gun. you might consider a .40 SW or a .45.
You might also consider a .357 mag. They will shoot 38 caliber ammunition, but can also shoot .357 mag rounds with quite a bit more punch.
2006-11-02 07:47:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a Colt Army Special .38 made in 1917 and it will consistently hit a soda can at 100 meters with standard rounds or about 150 meters with +P rounds. (yada yada about the +P in an ancient pistol)
2016-01-28 15:33:50 · answer #5 · answered by Just Me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not exactly overpowered, but with +p ammo they are not anemic either. As far as accuracy goes that has a lot to do with the gun, some to do with the ammo and mostly has to do with the shooter.
2006-11-02 10:30:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have shot a .38 special in a handgun(Ruger .357 revolver) and it is extremely accurate up to 20 yards if you have a steady hand. I have seen expert shooters blast off a turtle who was in a pond's head off(about 80 yards away). It takes practice with any kind of gun. Happy shooting, whatever gun you choose.
2006-11-02 09:02:57 · answer #7 · answered by dannyjs25 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
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2016-05-23 19:15:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the accuracy of a .38 sucks! It has decent stopping power... The best gun out therein my opinion is a .45, preferably the 1911 version.
2006-11-02 07:45:21 · answer #9 · answered by John T 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
good as far as accuracy goes but does not have a lot of power
2006-11-02 10:16:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋