Talk me out of this?

[Ulmus]

My wife and I are planning on getting our CCWs this summer and I plan on carrying something a little different than most.

I'm strongly thinking of using my Colt Police Positive with a 4" barrel in .38 short colt.

Here's my reasons why:

1. It's a pretty small gun even with the non-snub barrel.  The frame is roughly the same as a J-frame Smith and the over size is shorter than the Ruger Bearcat and almost as thick.

2.  It holds 6 bullets instead of 5.

3.  Resale value of these Colts is very low for some reason so It's not like I'm risking a multi thousand dollar gun here.

4.  The muzzle velocity and energy may be slow at 685 and 150ft-lbs respectively, but that's more than the .32 calibers listed and has a very manageable recoil.

5.  While manufactures only offer lead ball bullets for this round, any .38 special bullet will fit in reloads so I can go with some nice 130 grain jacketed hollow points and have better defensive ammo than the officer that originally carried this gun in duty.

6. If I do have to go to court to defend my use of this weapon, it's going to be harder to paint me as a paranoid freak by holding up an old revolver instead of an "uber tactical polymer pistol" with a "sniper laser" and "military style, extra capacity clip" in it. (-sigh)

7.  It works well and it's paid for.

So why should I not consider using this revolver?

[ericire12]

What are your other choices

[JSC3ATLCSO]

Anything is better than nothing.   If you can conceal it and shoot it - why not?  I carry a Beretta .32 acp on a daily basis and I know it isn't much but again... Anything is better than nothing and no-one knows I have it unless I tell them I do.  I also have a .40 that is relatively close to me at most times but it is much harder to conceal especially in the summer months so it stays at home or in the truck most of the time.

Aim small miss small.

[Ulmus]

What are your other choices

I have a K-frame S&W model 64 that weighs a ton in comparison;
A Heritage Rough Rider SAA .22 combo with a 6 inch barrel;
And a Heritage Big Bore SAA .357 with a 5.5" barrel.

[PegLeg45]

While maybe not 'optimum', I tend fall back on what is usually the general consensus I've seen on here: Whatever gun you have on you when needed is better than 10 guns at home in the safe.

[Sponsor]

[Dakotaranger]

If it runs good and your accurate go for it

[Big Frank]

It's a lot better than nothing, and better than a .22 or .25.

[fightingquaker13]

I suppose there's nothing wrong with it, and you own it. I know zero about performance on this round though, in terms of how it preforms in comparison to say .38spcl or .380. Absent that, I couldn't offer an opinion as to adequacy. The reloads bit bothers me too, for reasons we've dicussed to death here. If is not a huge financial hardship, I would be looking around for a deal on a used .38 snubbie since you like revolvers. You should be able to find one for around $250 or less. You could do the same with a Kel-tec in 9mm. But again, you already have the gun.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

I would be more comfortable with something like a Charter Arms in .327 or 357.

[Walter45Auto]

Use it until you get your hands one something better. But I'd look around for an inexpensive .38 Spl. or .357 mag. snubbie. Though nowdays you may have trouble finding one for $250 (Remember everybody's prices on guns have gone up.).