For someone not super proficient yet I see more limp wristing stoppages in autos as a problem.  An experienced shooter has gotten past that stage with experience and rounds down range.  I cannot recall the last limp wrist type stoppage I had but it was during a work training evolution where I was dragging a simulated person at the same time laterally across the range.  Stop behind corner, clear the stoppage and drive on.  Iirc now that I think of it that may have been a week mag spring issue,....work at times would stretch mag springs and reinstall them for the moment.  After seeing that twice I picked up a bag of g22 springs from Our overlord and host.


If you have a 2” revolver, get shooting it at 10 and 15 yards.  Keep up the practice until you don’t miss.   The wadcutter will certainly do but for training on the range if the .38 round nose are cheaper, shoot those but keep the wadcutter for actual defensive use.

One consideration to make is that a short barreled revolver will be hell of a loud gun inside a dwelling and not my first choice for HD. A longer barrel and not open cylinder gun would be better from the shooter's perspective and location. This does not affect reflected sound back to the shooter's position but the gap at cylinder/barrel makes it not my first choice but in worst case I would use it if it is the first gun I have handy when the show starts.

There is nothing wrong with .38 Special for self-defense. 158 grain SWC's will achieve decent penetration.

I carry a 3" J-Frame during the summer months, a Glock 23 sits on my nightstand with a G22 mag installed.

2" revolvers are designed for deep concealment. I have a friend who carry's his in his right front pocket.

It will work for home defense, but it is my belief that handguns were designed so you can fight your way to a long gun.

Do we have an incident in which we can cite that supposed truism in a lawful non-police civilian shoot?  Because in every lawful non-police civilian shooting I've ever heard of, they run what they brung.

Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

If you're good with your setup and feel good about your choice, roll with it. Otherwise, reconsider.

I think a home security system, a pair of territorial dogs and a good shotgun would make a decent upgrade.

I love the .38 snub. I carry a G19X at work. That's 17+1, with two 19 round reloads on my belt.

A .38 is more of a break contact gun, than a defensive firearm, but, in the right hands, miracles can and do happen.

I run Federal Train and Protect 158 gr LSWCHP standard pressure. It has an average penetration depth of about 14 inches, which is optimal, and does expand if it hits bone. I have a Taurus 856 UL CH, that cost me 250 dollars on sale at xmas.

S&W 5 shot revolvers are on sale right now for just over 400 dollars. You can pick up a Kimber for just over 500, that is a 6 shot. I've never heard anything bad about the RIA snub, but, IDK if a lot of people own them. There are mixed reviews on the Taurus. There are also mixed reviews on the S&W, the new Colt revolvers, and the Kimber has also had some fitment and firing pin issues.

I like the Taurus a lot. I have maybe 400 rounds through it, give or take. It's been reliable, but I don't play with it. For me, an ultralite is a much better buy in a snub than a steel frame, because you'll want to carry it.

If you haven't already purchased, try out gun.deals and see if you can get a decent price online. Get speedloaders for it. Speed strips are not that good for speed reloading. If it's a 6 shot snub, then the HKS 10A should fit it, but doublecheck it. Also, 5 star is good for metal reloaders.

Train with it at the range. Also, make certain it's heavily lubed up before you start snapping away with it. It normally takes a little while for everything to bed in and have it cycle correctly.

I don't know if speedloaders are the best option.  If you're carrying a speedloader, why not carry a Taurus G3C w/ 13 more rounds on tap?