.38 Super vs .357 Mag

[David4516]

I'm thinking about buying a new carry gun. I already have a small gun (Beretta 950 Jetfire .25ACP) and a medium gun (Makarov 9x18). I find myself wanted a larger gun for carry in the woods (might run into black bear or cougar) and when I can wear more heavy clothing (plan to carry IWB).

There are two that I'm looking at and just can't decide which I like better.

Option #1: Colt 1911 "lightweight commander" in .38 Super

Option #2: Ruger SP101 with 3 inch barrel in .357 Mag

Half of me wants a semi-auto and the other half wants a revolver. I'm aware of the advantages and dis-advantages of each. The SP101 is cheaper and possibly more "versitile" but only packs 5 rounds and takes longer to reload.

What do you guys think? Are these good choices in the first place? If so, what would you choose if you were me?

Thanks in advance.

 

[WLE]

357 hands down I would consider a 44 mag instead

 

[David4516]

Also, I should add that I'll reload my own ammo, so ammo cost is not really a factor.

And I'd carry in town too, not just the woods, not sure if I made that very clear in the fist post...

 

[george29]

The receiving end of a .38 super & .357 magnum is about the same. Now it's a matter of Revolver VS Semi.

 

[drmajor]

38 v 357

I carry a S&W 642. Small and no hammer to catch on clothes. It is loaded with 1-Frangible and 4 Personal Defense loads- P+. It has Crimson Trace Laser sites. The P+ is strong.

However, I bought a Ruger GP100- 6" for the woods- .357 Mag. Wonderful revolver and what a punch.

Logic-
1. Yeh, the 44 mag will hit really hard- on dear and wallet.
2. I can shoot the .38 in the 357, though not as accurate.
3. I can use the same reloader for both. Saves money and inventory.

The 6" GP100 is a well balanced revolver - not a carry gun unless you wear a trench coat. I love it's balance! But I also have size 12 hands!! It probably kicks less than the 642 2" with +P. The 2" is a not too much fun with +P. But I don't go target practice with it either.

 

[David E]

They no longer make a lightweight Commander in .38 Super due to the frames cracking. If you find one, it's more of a collector's item than a woods gun.

The SP-101 sucks for a woods gun, but some disagree. A 4" or 6" .357 is a better choice.

A very stong case can be made for an 11-shot handgun putting out .357 magnum ballistics, but is easier to control, carry and reload, but it needs to be a fullsize steel 1911.

(unless you have all kinds of money and want an 18 or 20 or 27 shot .38 Super based on the STI 2011 model)

 

[Logos]

Get a Glock in .357 Sig if you like the autoloader.....or the 10mm.....even better for those packs of man-eating cougars and black bears!

 

[robriboflavin]

"They no longer make a lightweight Commander in .38 Super due to the frames cracking. If you find one, it's more of a collector's item than a woods gun."

Dave E, you might want to check your source on this -

http://www.coltsmfg.com/products-c5-q7-COLT_PISTOLS.aspx

just sayin'...

 

[weisse52]

Both good guns. A .38 Super is an excellent pistol if you reload.

But, no shock I would pick the Colt first.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Glock 20 or 29. The 10mm beats the .38 super and any .357 from a 3" barrel, the Glock is lighter and pretty water-resistent, and 10-15 rounds beats 5 from the Ruger. You could get a Delta or othe 1911 pattern 10mm, although the Glock would be more comparable in price to the Ruger.

 

[MCgunner]

Lessee, hmm, which would I choose, an overweight, large jammamatic in an odd ball caliber, or a 28 ounce proven carry revolver that cares not about nose shape in a proven self defense caliber? Wow, whadda tuffy. I didn't even know they made the LW Commander in .38 super, but I'd sure avoid it. I'd avoid the Delta in 10mm, too. That old design didn't do well with hot 10s as I recall.

 

[Mags]

38 super ballistics

90 gr (5.8 g) JHP 1,557 ft/s (475 m/s) 485 ft·lbf (658 J)
100 gr (6.5 g) FMJ 1,450 ft/s (440 m/s) 467 ft·lbf (633 J)
115 gr (7.5 g) FMJ 1,395 ft/s (425 m/s) 497 ft·lbf (674 J)
130 gr (8.4 g) FMJ 1,305 ft/s (398 m/s) 492 ft·lbf (667 J)
150 gr (9.7 g) FMJ 1,148 ft/s (350 m/s) 439 ft·lbf (595 J

10mm Ballistics

135 gr (8.7 g) Nosler JHP 1,600 ft/s (490 m/s) 767 ft·lbf (1,040 J)
155 gr (10.0 g) Gold Dot HP 1,475 ft/s (450 m/s) 750 ft·lbf (1,020 J)
165 gr (10.7 g) Golden Saber HP 1,425 ft/s (434 m/s) 744 ft·lbf (1,009 J)
180 gr (12 g) XTP HP 1,350 ft/s (410 m/s) 728 ft·lbf (987 J)
200 gr (13 g) WFNGC 1,300 ft/s (400 m/s) 750 ft·lbf (1,020 J)

357 Magnum Ballistics

125 gr (8.1 g) Bonded Defense JHP 1,600 ft/s (490 m/s) 710 ft·lbf (960 J)
130 gr (8.4 g) JHP 1,410 ft/s (430 m/s) 574 ft·lbf (778 J)
158 gr (10.2 g) Gold Dot JHP 1,400 ft/s (430 m/s) 688 ft·lbf (933 J)
180 gr (12 g) WFNGC Hard Cast 1,300 ft/s (400 m/s) 676 ft·lbf (917 J)
200 gr (13 g) WFNGC Hard Cast 1,200 ft/s (370 m/s) 640 ft·lbf (870 J)

I would choose 10mm in a 1911 platform like a Colt Delta Elite. Second choice would be a 357 Magnum in a 4-6 inch Ruger GP100. If I had to get a 38 Super which I am very interested in I would custom build one in the 1911 platform.

 

[MCgunner]

Trust me, you'll carry the SP101. You WON'T carry the GP100. A gun you WON'T carry is pretty worthless.

 

[Mags]

I see your point MCgunner the GP 100 is a big honking gun but thats my choice over the SP 101 you know different strokes...

 

[Bearhands]

try finding ammo for a 38 Super..... or a 10mm... or even a 357 sig in a "local" store? Reloading is great if you can find the brass and bullets consistently.

a 357 mag would be my choice, even w/ a 3" barrel (your choice) packs a punch. Be smart and go with a "known" knockdown caliber. Confrontations are over with in 2-3 shots in a gunfight......... 5 357's on a 4 legged critter should be sufficient and if not, run or carry something bigger.

 

[MCgunner]

I see your point MCgunner the GP 100 is a big honking gun but thats my choice over the SP 101 you know different strokes...

Great gun, I agree, don't misunderstand. But, considering his choices, he's lookin' for something for 24/7 carry. I love my Rugers, but some aren't carries or regular carries. I shoot my P90 about as good as anything I have, won a lot of shoots with that gun, but it's 33 ounces and sorta chunky in its Sparks leather. I carry it only when I think I might be in a bad area that I'm a little worried about. I'd love to carry it 24/7, but it's just not something I'm gonna do around home.

Actually, I don't carry a SP101, had one, but I prefer my .38 UltraLite or my little sub-compact 9 in a pocket.

 

[MDW GUNS]

If you take a 1911 then in .45!!
Otherwise the .357 Mag would be my choice between the two.
However, as already listed, the .357 SIG is a great choice.
From Glock to a 1911 Night Hawk there are plenty of guns in this great caliber!!!

 

[GodGuns&Guitars]

As much as I like my 38 Super, I'd much rather have a 357 for woods carry.

 

[prelaw09]

I voted for the SP101, but...

I would choose 10mm in a 1911 platform like a Colt Delta Elite.

This also makes a lot of sense.

The 357 is a classic woods gun but the 10mm in a 1911 is a very nice gun. Also, have you considered, say, the SIG 229 in 357SIG?

 

[Logos]

try finding ammo for a 38 Super..... or a 10mm... or even a 357 sig in a "local" store?

My local store had two boxes of each (10mm and Sig) today.

My local store seems to be better stocked (and has better prices) than Cheaper Than Dirt or Natchez.

I think the ammo thing is starting to get better.

 

[MCgunner]

I like a revolver's versatility and better accuracy for woods carry, .38 wadcutter for small game, 180 grain hard cast .357 for big. It's plenty if all you're worried about is people or maybe a black bear. I would carry NO auto pistol caliber in the woods weaker than 10mm.

 

[Mags]

I shoot my P90 about as good as anything I have, won a lot of shoots with that gun, but it's 33 ounces and sorta chunky in its Sparks leather. I carry it only when I think I might be in a bad area that I'm a little worried about.

Well you know the saying if your screen name means what I tink it does "every Marine is a rifleman".

 

[SaxonPig]

The 357 is more powerful. Handloading brings the Super closer but the Magnum will always have the edge in power. If you want the auto then I think the Super is a good choice. I like mine.

 

[weisse52]

Well, if we are recommending our personal favorites.

For wood carry I would choose a Ruger Superblack Hawk in .44 mag with a 4 5/8".

OP,

Pick what works for you. But, shoot both with full power loads before you make a decison. I have seem several people who thought a 3" .357 was a great idea until they shot it with some full power loads.

Your money, your decision.

 

[GRIZ22]

A 38 super can pretty much duplicate a 357 mag in lighter bullet weights.

Between the two go for the 357.