I expected the primer 38 jocks to argue my points of course. I know you love your plane but there is no doubt that someone coming into the game will do nearly as well.
There are no noobs who can fight it well in a low furball. That takes time and practice and even when you think you've had enough to engage in a low furball for more than a minute or two, you'll find yourself in trouble quick if you don't extend.
There are much better planes for furballing is what I said.
As far as carrying one 1k bomb around looking for another GV to kill or finish of someones hanger, it's a very unstable way to fly a 38.
When I used to be big into the 38 (until one night, I guess I just "snapped" and died like every sortie lol), I'd take a 38G, with 1 DT and only 1DT, and either 50% fuel, or 75 depending on where I was going.
Even with 1 DT on, the 38 was still very stable. I don't know the difference with a 1000lb bomb, but IMHO, the 38 was MORE maneuverable with only 1 DT.