The 38 special caliber was the dominant choice among police officers for decades, which is a testament to its defensive power. Revolvers are a particularly good choice due to their simple and rugged design. The best 38 special revolver for home defense will have fairly low recoil, high accuracy, and decent stopping power. The 38 special has been around for more than a century, so to make it easier for you to sort through all the options to find a quality gun we’ve put up this list containing the best ten choices based on their ease of use, stopping power, and overall value.
10. Taurus 85B2FS
| Manufacturer | Taurus |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | 38 Special +P |
| Barrel Length | 2’’ |
| Weight | 21 oz |
| Price Range | $200-$400 |
The 85B2FS from Taurus is a simple and functional revolver. It is one of the cheapest options, but it remains highly reliable. Even if it lacks the accuracy of competition guns, but it will put shots on target at close range as long as the shooter uses it properly. It is a little bit on the heavy side, but that isn’t a problem because it helps to compensate for the gun’s recoil. These factors make it a good choice for new or intermediate shooters on a budget, but experts should consider other weapons.
9. RIA M200
| Manufacturer | Rock Island Armory |
| Capacity | 6 |
| Caliber | 38 Special |
| Barrel Length | 4’’ |
| Weight | 28 oz |
| Price Range | $200-$300 |
RIA produces one of the most accurate 38 special revolvers, the M200. The barrel is responsible for most of that accuracy. In addition to being longer than average, it uses a semi-shrouded design to improve performance. The ability to fire it as either a single or double action gun adds to its versatility. The price is also fairly low in spite of the gun’s generally high quality. The longer barrel makes it a little harder to store in a small safe than some other revolvers, but this is a great choice for any shooter who can find a safe place to keep it.
8. Taurus CIA 850 Ultralight
| Manufacturer | Taurus |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | 38 Special +P |
| Barrel Length | 2’’ |
| Weight | 16 oz |
| Price Range | $300-$500 |
The 850 CIA from Taurus is a good choice for defending homes with small children. It uses both a transfer bar and the Taurus Security System, which uses a key to lock down the gun, to prevent accidental discharges. The gun also performs well in a cramped home. It has a compact frame for easy maneuvering, along with an extremely comfortable rubber grip. A hammerless design makes it slightly more reliable than other revolvers because it resists exposure to grit, but the difference is fairly small. Use this if you want to get plenty of safety features without sacrificing power.
7. Charter Arms Southpaw
| Manufacturer | Charter Arms |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | 38 Special |
| Barrel Length | 2’’ |
| Weight | 12 oz |
| Price Range | $300-$500 |
The Southpaw from Charter Arms is a mirrored version of the company’s Undercover Lite. The mirrored design makes it ideal for left-handed shooters since all of the controls are oriented to suit them. The grip can be uncomfortable for shooters with large hands, but the added convenience can balance that out for lefties. The gun’s construction is fairly solid, and its use of aluminum components keeps its weight low. It shoots reasonably accurately for a snub-nosed revolver, but not exceptionally so. This is a great choice for left-handed shooters but doesn’t have as much to offer to anyone else.
6. RIA M206 Spurless
| Manufacturer | Rock Island Armory |
| Capacity | 6 |
| Caliber | 38 Special |
| Barrel Length | 2’’ |
| Weight | 24 |
| Price Range | $250-$500 |
The M206 Spurless from RIA stands out for its internal hammer, which gives it a snag-resistant profile and makes it a little easier to store in a tight place. This gun is very comfortable to fire due to its checkered wood grip, which fits most hands nicely and resists slipping. The trigger has a light and smooth pull that makes it easy to shoot and helps to encourage accurate shooting to compensate for the short barrel. This is the best 38 special revolver for people that prefer internal hammers and is a decent budget choice for all shooters.
5. Colt Night Cobra
| Manufacturer | Colt |
| Capacity | 6 |
| Caliber | 38 Special +P |
| Barrel Length | 2.1’’ |
| Weight | 25 oz |
| Price Range | $900-$1000 |
The Night Cobra is a variant of Colt’s classic Cobra that is designed for concealed carry and for use in the dark, but it also performs well in a home. It has a smooth shape that prevents snagging when drawn quickly, which can be an asset when pulling it out in an emergency. The black coating both protects the gun and conceals it in the dark, while good night sights make it easy to aim. These traits make it the best 38 special revolver for use at night, or for people that need a gun for both daily carry and home defense.
4. S&W Model 66 Combat Magnum
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Capacity | 6 |
| Caliber | 38 Special +P |
| Barrel Length | 2.75’’ |
| Weight | 33.5 oz |
| Price Range | $800-$900 |
The Combat Magnum is a K-Frame revolver of moderate size. The barrel is fairly short, but not so much so that accuracy suffers. Most people will be able to get a comfortable grip on it, and it will fit well in any bedside gun safe. Stainless steel construction makes it reasonably tough without being too heavy. This gun does suffer from a heavy trigger pull compared to most similar models, but that won’t be a problem for people who practice enough to get used to it. Try this revolver if you need something with fairly balanced performance. If you are interested in S&W revolvers you will find our Smith and Wesson revolver list very useful.
3. Rossi Model R35202
| Manufacturer | Rossi |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | 38 Special +P |
| Barrel Length | 2’’ |
| Weight | 24 oz |
| Price Range | $200-$400 |
The Model R35202 from Rossi is the best 38 special revolver for shooting on a budget. The gun’s grip stands out for its heavy texturing, which prevents the shooter’s hands from slipping even when they are wet or sweaty. It shoots accurately within short ranges, although it does have worse performance at long ranges than most revolvers. It also has slightly less ammo than average, but that won’t be a problem in most home defense scenarios. Give it a try if you need to cut your costs. You can also check out our list of the best 357 revolvers available today on the market.
2. S&W Model 642 LS
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | 38 Special +P |
| Barrel Length | 1.875’’ |
| Weight | 14.8 oz |
| Price Range | $300-$500 |
The 642 LS from Smith and Wesson is a tiny revolver that is marketed towards women, but it is the best 38 special revolver for anyone who needs a highly compact firearm. The gun’s minimal length and weight are its main benefits, but the unusually light trigger pull can also be an asset. It suffers from heavy recoil due to its size, but shooters that get used to that recoil will find that it is a very accurate weapon. Give it a try if you want to minimize size, but choose an alternative if you can use something bigger.
1. S&W Performance Center Model 627
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Capacity | 8 |
| Caliber | 38 Special +P |
| Barrel Length | 5’’ |
| Weight | 43.6 oz |
| Price Range | $1200-$1300 |
The Model 627 is built for precision shooting. The gun’s shape encourages a fairly low grip that cuts down on felt recoil, which combines with its good ergonomics to ensure a strong and steady grip. The trigger pull is smooth, but it is also fairly heavy, so it can take a little longer to fire than most people expect. All of the components are made to a high standard, which boosts reliability and accuracy. This is the best 38 special revolver for shooters that can use its precision, but less experienced shooters should get a cheaper model.
Making The Right Choice
Home defense requires a weapon that is quick and easy to use, reliable, and fairly powerful. A good revolver chambered in 38 special meets all of those requirements. Finding the best 38 special revolver requires you to consider as many options as possible and find the one that has the right balance of traits to meet your needs. If you tried one that we didn’t cover, please discuss it in the comment section in case others might want to use it.
