38 special or .380?

shooter1059 said:

Ok, I have a question for you all. If you only had a choice to carry a .38 special or a 380 auto, which would you choose and why? I know bigger is better but that's not the question.
Thanks

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K frame .38 Special, this model 10 to be precise,

loaded with Buffalo Bore 158 gr LSWCHP-GC +P, is my EDC.

No .380 comes close. Not even BB's .380 +P.

I've carried a P-3AT, and switched to a Ruger LCR for assorted reasons. I'm limited to pocket carry, and an autopistol like the P3AT can get lint inside it easier than a shrouded-hammer revolver. There's a reliability edge with a revolver (not that the Kel-Tec gave me any trouble), and the small tradeoff in ammo capacity if offset by what I feel is a better defensive round.

Of course it goes without saying that the .380 conceals much better than the .38 in my case, but I can manage it. Also, I carry my Ruger in a pocket holster with a pocket for a speed strip. I understand now they make pocket holsters that can hold an extra mag for autos like the P3AT.

ETA: For those interested in ammo: Federal +P 129gr Hydra-Shok for the .38, and Remington 88 grain HPs for the Kel-Tec (it was a pretty decent and affordable round when I last bought some).

Nice model 10! I love mine, it's one of my favorites! But my KEL-TEC P3AT .380acp. I can carry all the time! I can't carry carry my M638 A.W. BODYGUARD as easy as the P3AT eather! No two ways about it a gun I have on me beats the one I don't! More rounds & faster reloads help make this easy. A .380 acp may not be for you! But its my choice as a ALL THE TIME GUN FOR ME!

wlewisiii said:

K frame .38 Special, this model 10 to be precise,

loaded with Buffalo Bore 158 gr LSWCHP-GC +P, is my EDC.

No .380 comes close. Not even BB's .380 +P.

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That's a nice Model 10, wlewisiii. I think Jan Libourel, who used to edit Handguns Magazine, had one like that. Do those sideplate screws take an Allen wrench? I had not realized that such screws were becoming common on guns.

Vodoun da Vinci said:

Agreed..I'd settle for being able to crank out 158 gr. .38 special +P at anywhere near the accuracy that I can triple tap with my Wife's G42. In concealable revolvers, full house .38 Special +P pretty much is a one shot deal with me as the muzzle blast, recoil, and hand smack just beats me senseless.
VooDoo

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I can not agree at all with your statement. If you can't shoot a snub nose J frame well that is your fault, not the gun's fault. If the shooter won't put the time in to become proficient with their handgun that's a shame but blaming the gun is just wrong.

I'm so tired of hearing a J frame is a belly gun only because the shooter can't do their job.

ArchAngelCD said:

I can not agree at all with your statement. If you can't shoot a snub nose J frame well that is your fault, not the gun's fault. If the shooter won't put the time in to become proficient with their handgun that's a shame but blaming the gun is just wrong.



I'm so tired of hearing a J frame is a belly gun only because the shooter can't do their job.

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I think he is in agreement with you AA. I read that post to mean he would prefer the 38 he just doesn't shoot it well and have up on it.

Colt Pocket Models were issued to agents of the Army Intelligence, Military Police, CID and Provost Marshalls.

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I spent 7 years in the US Army during the 70's, 3 in combat arms and 4 in military intelligence to include tours in Germany, Korea and some time stateside. Never did I see any officer, MP or the provost marshal get issued anything other than a 1911. And there seemed to be a low opinion of anything other than 45 acp. So much so, I was shocked when the Army transitioned to 9 mm. So if a 380 was issued in the 70's, it was extremely uncommon (or at least I never heard of it).

As for the OP, I have both... well almost both, a P238 and a M&P 340 loaded with 38 Specials. I've carried the 380 at most 2 or 3 times a year just to say I did it. The M&P 340 has been my primary carry weapon. Why the revolver? Because there is a wide range of what I can cram into it and it always works (even from the inside of a coat pocket).

ljnowell said:

I think he is in agreement with you AA. I read that post to mean he would prefer the 38 he just doesn't shoot it well and have up on it.

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Yes exactly. I have put in the time and money and studied and trained comprehensively...I shoot well with a snubbie .38 but the recoil with "full house rounds" beats on me. Against the timer, I'm as well off with a .357 mag revolver if I wanna go that route but that's off topic.

For me it's 9mm as an EDC as it is the best compromise of power, concealment, accuracy and speed for me. When that's not possible I do carry a .38 Special and a .380 depending on a variety of circumstances. I think a .38 rules the .380 in power/lethality but the trade is more muzzle blast, more felt recoil, slower shot recovery, etc. and train as I might I can put more 9mm/.380 on target faster than I can a .38.

If that makes me inadequate get me a T-Shirt. I'll wear it.

Depending on the shooter, their relative size and physical structure, their experience and ability, both .38 and .380 have their place. In an absolute sense the .38 Special can deliver more Ooomph to target than a .380 ever can *but* is that Ooomph a show stopper? I'm not sure it's a "one size should fit all" kind of question. I personally do not feel inadequately armed with a .380 or even a .32 but I suppose that carrying my hand loads contributes somewhat to that confidence. I'm running my .380 loads in the G42 with 100 grain flat noses over 1000 fps now....I'd not do that in a blow back operated .380. Then again my carry load for my .38 Special involves a 110 gr. lead wad cutter running about the same speed out of a snubbie revolver. I *could* and have run hotter/heavier +P ammo in my .38 but then shot follow up and accuracy start to suffer and my Wife can't handle the hotter .38 at all.

It's all a compromise and we maximize our performance based on time and accuracy as the power on target between a .38 Special and the hot .380's I'm shooting is not all that great. In a self defense situation I personally believe that my Wife is better off (and that I am better off) putting 3 or 4 rounds of hot .380 accurately to center mass than 1 or 2 .38's in the same amount of time. That's what it comes to for us....perhaps I could train sufficiently to bring my .38 snubbie performance up to the same level but I have not been able to manage that so far. So, we'll use what works without denigrating other peoples options.

VooDoo

I carry both 38spec and ppk/s I feel the 38 has a more punch to it and feel the simply operation of the revolver makes it the better choice

but I dp agree carrying speed loaders is more bulky over the extra magazine for the.380 acp

so I will have to say there is pros and con to every thing. Mabey it depends on what your attire is that day like women and jewelry

Buy what you can conceal well be it a 380 or 38 and practice placing multiple rounds in a small area quickly and if all you had was a , 22lr it would not matter much .

If you only had a choice to carry a .38 special or a 380 auto, which would you choose and why?

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I carry both calibers. The P3AT is a very handy size/weight that fits some pockets that my S&W 642 won't. That said, I prefer the 38spl due to its greater power. In an extreme situation, I feel confident that either would serve well.

I think a .38 rules the .380 in power/lethality but the trade is more muzzle blast, more felt recoil, slower shot recovery, etc. and train as I might I can put more 9mm/.380 on target faster than I can a .38

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This depends on the load and gun.

One could load 148 grain target wadcutters in even an Airweight J-frame and not be intimidated by the kick. Likewise, loading hot .380's in a tiny blowback might reverse the situation.

In any case, it's good to check out the options to see how they fit you.

I'm finding the G-42 to be a viable option for quite a few people.

linowell & Woodsman,

With proper or lucky placement the 38 Special or the .380 will take down anybody, but so will the .22 short. More powerful platforms offer more margin if you miss the central nervous system. I just suggest that if circumstances require carrying a smaller weapon that the person give even more thought as to how he might handle a situation if his primary weapon doesn't give him the stop he needs.

As for the 38's and 380's being used for a long time, that is absolutely true. All a person has to do is look at the civilian sales records over the past century for the little calibers, especially 38 Special as compared to say 44 Special, 45ACP, and 45 Colt, and he can see how much more popular the 38 Special was and probably still is. If the .380 took longer to gain broad acceptance, it was probably because people were longer in accepting semi-autos and not because of the power of the cartridge.

I probably shouldn't have said anything about the marginal power of the 38 Special and the 380. Nothing I said is new information, and anyone interested can find more opinion and tests on the relative merits of those cartridges than they would ever want to read. I should have known better. People don't like hearing doubts expressed about their favorite cartridges. I'm probably as bad as anyone on that score.

40-82 said:

linowell & Woodsman,



With proper or lucky placement the 38 Special or the .380 will take down anybody, but so will the .22 short. More powerful platforms offer more margin if you miss the central nervous system. I just suggest that if circumstances require carrying a smaller weapon that the person give even more thought as to how he might handle a situation if his primary weapon doesn't give him the stop he needs.



As for the 38's and 380's being used for a long time, that is absolutely true. All a person has to do is look at the civilian sales records over the past century for the little calibers, especially 38 Special as compared to say 44 Special, 45ACP, and 45 Colt, and he can see how much more popular the 38 Special was and probably still is. If the .380 took longer to gain broad acceptance, it was probably because people were longer in accepting semi-autos and not because of the power of the cartridge.



I probably shouldn't have said anything about the marginal power of the 38 Special and the 380. Nothing I said is new information, and anyone interested can find more opinion and tests on the relative merits of those cartridges than they would ever want to read. I should have known better. People don't like hearing doubts expressed about their favorite cartridges. I'm probably as bad as anyone on that score.

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I don't mind someone speaking their opinion on my choice of cartridge. In fact the 38 isn't my favorite. If I had my druthers I would carry a 45acp everyday. That's just not practical for me with the weapons I have at my disposal. My compromise is that unless I am going to the "big" city I carry an Airweight j-frame.

I do feel that the 38 is more than adequate, in particular with the load I carry in it.

I'm not a fan of the .380 I've only owned a Bersa and could never warm up to it that said I believe the 38 spl to have a lot more punch plus most revolvers today can handle + P ammo . If you want to go with a semi find a nice compact 9mm that suits you there's a lot of good choices on the market

hardluk1 said:

Buy what you can conceal well be it a 380 or 38 and practice placing multiple rounds in a small area quickly and if all you had was a , 22lr it would not matter much .

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I'd say it's more important to buy the one you shoot well that's still small enough that you'll carry it.

I'm a .38 guy and a revolver guy, but I would love for someone to make a .380 revolver for my wife.

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=856&category=Revolver - Edit by ugaarguy - Link goes to a Taurus "Mini" revolver in .380 ACP.

I like my guns like my bikes and trucks...with wheels and room for 5

ruger/smith make small revolvers that shoot 38/357. i would chose those over a 380.135 gr speer in 38/357 will do the job

I own a CZ 83, Sig P232, Bersa Thunder, Colt Cobra and Detective Special. For some reason I am scary accurate with the DS and have been from day one. So that is what I carry most of the time. I also don't carry +P.

cdb1 said:

I own a CZ 83, Sig P232, Bersa Thunder, Colt Cobra and Detective Special. For some reason I am scary accurate with the DS and have been from day one. So that is what I carry most of the time. I also don't carry +P.

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That's probably because the Colt DS is a scary accurate revolver. (at least most of them) I have a DS that was made in the 70's and it's the most accurate snub nose revolver I own. I wish I could shoot it more but I'm afraid if something breaks I won't be able to get it repaired. (parts or knowledge)

If I could only have ONE gun between the two I would probably choose a 38. That being said I see no utility in a 38 for a current carry gun. Any 38 is large enough that a sub compact 9mm like my M&P 9C or a Glock 26 makes much more sense and if I'm in a situation where that is too large my Bodyguard 380 fits that role and it is WAY smaller than any 38 revolver. BUT, like I said the 38 is more versatile than the small 380s so if I had to limit it to just one a 38 revolver would serve well.

Well if my choice was between this:



Or this:



I would chose this:



Jim