We said above in the pros section that the smooth, rounded shapes of revolvers can help them conceal better in some situations than similar-sized autos. Revolvers are thick and can be difficult to conceal 38 Special wadcutters, an oft-recommended cartridge for lower recoil use in these lightweight revolvers, you may indeed experience less discomfort when plinking or practicing, but terminal ballistic performance of these projectiles on a determined threat is debatable, and velocity and energy are very low by defensive standards. (9mm revolvers are comparatively rare and expensive, and most require the use of moon clips for reliable ejection.) 357 magnum chronographed 6% lower velocities and energy (1090 fps, 329 ft/lbs) in the same bullet weight from effectively the same barrel length as the 9mm revolver, while producing much more (painful) recoil and muzzle blast. 357 Magnum don’t achieve the FBI-recommended minimum penetration depth of 12-inch, and many others don’t expand at all and thus overpenetrate beyond the 18-inch maximum recommended depth, when fired out of revolvers with 2-inch barrels.Įven the mighty. Performance of defensive cartridges from 2” barreled revolvers is often marginalīallistic testing in 10% ordnance gelatin has shown that many popular JHP defense bullets in. What’s more, if you’re going to have to carry your handgun in a holster on your belt, many experts would argue you may as well go with a thinner, lighter semi-automatic pistol with double or even triple the ammunition capacity and arguably superior ballistic performance. However, the larger frame, all-steel construction, and bulky (if comfortable) full-fingered rubber grips that help make the Cobra enjoyable to shoot, also make it too large and heavy (at a comparably porky 25 ounces unloaded) for most people to pocket carry comfortably. It’s not surprising that with a loaded weight of less than 16 ounces, and no springy-reciprocating slides and fancy barrel-locking mechanisms to absorb or redirect the energy, the recoil of these pocket rockets makes them more than a handful, and more than most shooters can handle effectively. 357 Magnum on board, as sharp, significant, unpleasant, distracting, and painful. Various shooters we’ve worked with have described the recoil of a lightweight J-frame, particularly with. Here are some of the key reasons why an airweight J-frame or similar small revolver might be a terrible choice for a CCW handgun, particularly for new or inexperienced shooters: Recoil is painful and distracting

The key point to be made here is that, though these small, light revolvers are great to carry, they can be extremely difficult, and even quite painful, to actually shoot. With a revolver, when you get a click on a loaded chamber, you simply press the trigger again, to cycle the cylinder to the next loaded chamber (assuming there is one).Ĭons/downsides of a small revolver for concealed carry With most semi-autos, you would initiate a “tap-rack-bang” malfunction clearance drill, where you strike the magazine firmly upward to ensure it’s fully seated and locked, rack the slide to eject the faulty round, and then reacquire your sights and press the trigger if there’s still a threat.

Proponents like to point out that with a revolver, it’s simpler and more intuitive to deal with a misfire/dud (when you get a click instead of a bang). Some people point out that with a small revolver, you can even shoot from inside a vest/coat pocket if necessary, typically without causing a malfunction. There are some potential problems that can arise (see below), but in general, a revolver can withstand a lot of neglect and abuse and still remain functional. Lots of old school gun counter experts still opine that a revolver is the most reliable handgun you can buy. So let’s talk first about what’s good about them, and then we’ll go over the not-so-good. 38/.357 as the primary topic of discussion.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll be using the alloy-framed, 2-inch S&W J-frame in. 38/.357 caliber snubby, but Smith & Wesson always dominated the market and still does. Over the years Taurus, Rossi, Charter Arms, Ruger, and others have offered their own versions of the 5-shot. 357 are considered by most people to be adequate cartridges for self-defense purposes.

357 Magnum (which can of course also safely fire. J-frames have been offered in various calibers over the years, but S&W currently only offers SKUs in. However, despite the proliferation of models featuring variations in materials (including exotic scandium alloy and polymer-framed options), in hammer configuration (exposed, shrouded, or internal/hammerless), barrel length, grip configuration/size, and sights, the most popular has always been the 2-inch round-butt models, with the aluminum alloy-framed hammerless options like the S&W models 340, 442, and 642 remaining the top choices for concealed carry.

38 special vs 9mm for home defense