9mm vs .38 Special
- Thread starter DontShootMe
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4thHorseman
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One thing to consider is follow up shots. Both calibers are good for that. On the other hand I have a hard time with 357's. You can have a heck of a caliber (say a 357 cal) if you miss with the first shot the BG could possiably follow through with orginial intentions.
Is your intensions to stop a BG or to curtail a life? I think it's best to stop the agressor.
What ever is reliable and you can shot well should be what you choose.
Is your intensions to stop a BG or to curtail a life? I think it's best to stop the agressor.
What ever is reliable and you can shot well should be what you choose.
9mm vs 38 spl.
The 380 acp Cor Bon has a 244 Flb at 1050 FPS, the 38 spl 1050 fps with 240 flb, Not much of a difernce. Now the 9 mm at 1400 fps has a 400flb this is a big diferace. For close encounters with the BG and family members around you in the encounter, especialy children, I would use 38 spl. or 380 acp-
- For CCW on the roud with youre family I would use the 9mm with Cor bons. Its great to have a choice of diferent tools for diferent JOBs. At the end pick the one you are more proficient shooting with.
The 380 acp Cor Bon has a 244 Flb at 1050 FPS, the 38 spl 1050 fps with 240 flb, Not much of a difernce. Now the 9 mm at 1400 fps has a 400flb this is a big diferace. For close encounters with the BG and family members around you in the encounter, especialy children, I would use 38 spl. or 380 acp-
- For CCW on the roud with youre family I would use the 9mm with Cor bons. Its great to have a choice of diferent tools for diferent JOBs. At the end pick the one you are more proficient shooting with.MD_Willington
Member
Buy both, I have 9mm autos, and I'm looking at getting a .38 snubbie..
Either way, we can all agree getting hit by either would make for one crappy day.
Either way, we can all agree getting hit by either would make for one crappy day.
possum
Member
i would train up with the 9mm and get lots of extra mags and some really good defense ammo and train up with it, and have the .38 as a back up.
btw i am so sorry that you live in a state that imposes those types of laws on you guys it just ain't right.
that reminds me of when my wife said she wanted me to re-enlist for Ft. Irwin i simple said HA
btw i am so sorry that you live in a state that imposes those types of laws on you guys it just ain't right.
that reminds me of when my wife said she wanted me to re-enlist for Ft. Irwin i simple said HA
10-Ring
Member
Lately, I've been known to keep my mod 60 next to my bed for HD...I think it depends on which one you are most proficient in using
9mm vs. 38 spl
Practice and be good with both, at the end it doesn't matter size, what realy matters is shot placement, @ to center mass and one to the head it can be a 32 acp, like it can be a 45 acp and anything in betwin. Good luck in choosing one, Let us now witch one you have settle with and how proficient you have become with it.
Practice and be good with both, at the end it doesn't matter size, what realy matters is shot placement, @ to center mass and one to the head
it can be a 32 acp, like it can be a 45 acp and anything in betwin. Good luck in choosing one, Let us now witch one you have settle with and how proficient you have become with it.mjrodney
Member
Too many decisions in life to make. Wears me out.
In my quick access, easy open and go-to safe, in a vertical pistol rack, are a 1911 in .45ACP, a SIG in .40S&W, a SIG in 9mm, a S&W 625 in .45ACP and a Ruger GP-100 in .357MAG.
All ready to go.
Just grab one.
In my quick access, easy open and go-to safe, in a vertical pistol rack, are a 1911 in .45ACP, a SIG in .40S&W, a SIG in 9mm, a S&W 625 in .45ACP and a Ruger GP-100 in .357MAG.
All ready to go.
Just grab one.
Ballistically speaking, 38's lose a lot of their velocity coming out of 2" barrels. The test barrels for reloading and factory ammo are usually 6".
Speer came out with their new short barreled load a few years back designed to open at lower velocities obtained from short barreled handguns. Their 135 +P 38spl is getting pushed at roughly 1050fps from a 6" barrel. They designed the round to expand at roughly 860fps. That's what your average 38spl +p ends up going when using a 2", non ported barrel.
I do carry my Taurus 85 as a pocket carry gun. I practice a LOT with it, and it goes everywhere I go. I shoot well with it. I do shoot better with my glock 19, and even better with my glock 30 and 21. I usually carry the 30 or 21, but hte 85 goes everywhere.
Don't get so hung up on ballistics, they're just numbers man. Go with the round you shoot best with and dry fire the hell out of your gun until you are ocmpletely comfortable with it.
I will tell you that the 2" 38spl is more of an "expert" gun than a semi-auto. The reason being that accuracy with the 38 spl out of that small of a gun takes a LOT of practice. Especially if you take into account your ability to cock it first will not be there in a SD situation. If you feel comfortable with 5 rounds, and can hit well with the 38, go for it. If you feel better with a 9mm and shoot well with it, go for it. If you feel better with a 45 and shoot well with it go for it.
Speer came out with their new short barreled load a few years back designed to open at lower velocities obtained from short barreled handguns. Their 135 +P 38spl is getting pushed at roughly 1050fps from a 6" barrel. They designed the round to expand at roughly 860fps. That's what your average 38spl +p ends up going when using a 2", non ported barrel.
I do carry my Taurus 85 as a pocket carry gun. I practice a LOT with it, and it goes everywhere I go. I shoot well with it. I do shoot better with my glock 19, and even better with my glock 30 and 21. I usually carry the 30 or 21, but hte 85 goes everywhere.
Don't get so hung up on ballistics, they're just numbers man. Go with the round you shoot best with and dry fire the hell out of your gun until you are ocmpletely comfortable with it.
I will tell you that the 2" 38spl is more of an "expert" gun than a semi-auto. The reason being that accuracy with the 38 spl out of that small of a gun takes a LOT of practice. Especially if you take into account your ability to cock it first will not be there in a SD situation. If you feel comfortable with 5 rounds, and can hit well with the 38, go for it. If you feel better with a 9mm and shoot well with it, go for it. If you feel better with a 45 and shoot well with it go for it.
Well the original poster asked about a 7 shot .38 revolver - there are some in short barrel lengths but he might be thinking of shooting +P .38s in something like a S&W 686.
Here's what I currently have on my nightstand when I am home in California.
My Taurus 4 inch .357 loaded with Hydrashock +p .38 specials - only 6 rounds but it has very little recoil due to its size and weight. I figure at night maybe 1/2 alseep or in shock at having someone kick in my door (which I serious doubt will ever happen) I know it is reliable, low recoil, and simple - I believe in the KISS principle.
My Python and Dan Wesson and S&W's are in the safe ... because at inside my house distances the Taurus works just fine - its reliable - and if I have to use it I won't mind it being confiscated for years.
I have some 10 round .40's, berreta, glock, P7M10, etc. (California!) and even a Para Ordinance P12 (12 round .45 acp) but currently I have been leaving the Taurus .357 out for the reasons stated. I don't want too light a trigger if I'm 1/2 asleep, I do want total reliability (the P12 magazines sometimes FTF - never had this problem w/revolver), and I don't want an "oops" I left the safety on.
Plus, my wife knows how to operate it.
If I had only one handgun for home SD (blasphemy!) then maybe I'd go with a very reliable pistol or better yet a carbine in a pistol caliber or a shotgun.
So feel fine with a 7 shot revolver - get a .357 load it with .38's and feel safe.
Here's what I currently have on my nightstand when I am home in California.
My Taurus 4 inch .357 loaded with Hydrashock +p .38 specials - only 6 rounds but it has very little recoil due to its size and weight. I figure at night maybe 1/2 alseep or in shock at having someone kick in my door (which I serious doubt will ever happen) I know it is reliable, low recoil, and simple - I believe in the KISS principle.
My Python and Dan Wesson and S&W's are in the safe ... because at inside my house distances the Taurus works just fine - its reliable - and if I have to use it I won't mind it being confiscated for years.
I have some 10 round .40's, berreta, glock, P7M10, etc. (California!) and even a Para Ordinance P12 (12 round .45 acp) but currently I have been leaving the Taurus .357 out for the reasons stated. I don't want too light a trigger if I'm 1/2 asleep, I do want total reliability (the P12 magazines sometimes FTF - never had this problem w/revolver), and I don't want an "oops" I left the safety on.
Plus, my wife knows how to operate it.
If I had only one handgun for home SD (blasphemy!) then maybe I'd go with a very reliable pistol or better yet a carbine in a pistol caliber or a shotgun.
So feel fine with a 7 shot revolver - get a .357 load it with .38's and feel safe.
orionengnr
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Thread recussitation alert!
After an almost four year hibernation, this thread was revived on post 53.
Please note that you are posting on an ancient discussion, dead and buried years ago.
Some of the rounds spoken of in the post have been redesigned, replaced, or removed.
Some of the original posters have died of old age.
Just can't imagine why people keep digging these up.
After an almost four year hibernation, this thread was revived on post 53.
Please note that you are posting on an ancient discussion, dead and buried years ago.
Some of the rounds spoken of in the post have been redesigned, replaced, or removed.
Some of the original posters have died of old age.
Just can't imagine why people keep digging these up.
RioShooter
Member
Shotgun for HD
My .38 Special is always in my pocket. But, my 12 ga. pump (with 00) is kept close-by. I actually move it from room to room, depending on where I'll be spending the majority of my time.
My .38 Special is always in my pocket. But, my 12 ga. pump (with 00) is kept close-by. I actually move it from room to room, depending on where I'll be spending the majority of my time.
Shrinkmd
Member
I wonder the same thing...
If speer gold dot 124 gr in 9mm is "better" than the similar +P 38 special load, why not have 10 more ready to go? It seems like a matter of religious faith having a revolver for night stand/pillow duty, but if you have a DA/SA with a round chambered and safety off, it's the same DA pull as a revolver (just not as smooth!)
Only problem is, to dry fire you need to clear the round, and I know you aren't supposed to keep rechambering the same round more than one or two times. So if you dry fire a lot, this can start getting expensive, as opposed to dumping out your six shooter and putting them back in when you're done snap capping.
If speer gold dot 124 gr in 9mm is "better" than the similar +P 38 special load, why not have 10 more ready to go? It seems like a matter of religious faith having a revolver for night stand/pillow duty, but if you have a DA/SA with a round chambered and safety off, it's the same DA pull as a revolver (just not as smooth!)
Only problem is, to dry fire you need to clear the round, and I know you aren't supposed to keep rechambering the same round more than one or two times. So if you dry fire a lot, this can start getting expensive, as opposed to dumping out your six shooter and putting them back in when you're done snap capping.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
May 6th, 2003, 03:08 AM #52
February 1st, 2007 01:34 PM #53
Today 10:42 PM #63
You people are kidding, right??
February 1st, 2007 01:34 PM #53
Today 10:42 PM #63
You people are kidding, right??
Jim March
Member
Heh.
Well since this thread started, 9mm performance hasn't changed much.
On the other hand, Speer's 135 slug used a really monster JHP cavity to good effect. And Buffalo Bore has a 158gr slug that will do 1,000fps from a snubby and more than that from a 4", putting it DEEP into 9mm and even 9+P horsepower levels.
Well since this thread started, 9mm performance hasn't changed much.
On the other hand, Speer's 135 slug used a really monster JHP cavity to good effect. And Buffalo Bore has a 158gr slug that will do 1,000fps from a snubby and more than that from a 4", putting it DEEP into 9mm and even 9+P horsepower levels.
innerpiece
Member
nothing wrong with reviewing an old topic imo.. alot can change in time, hence be learned in good topics like this!
Ive had a good few 9mm's, had 2 .38'. between the two cal's Im down to 2 9's and 1 .38.
each of them, I have tried various SD loads with, on hard and soft targets, and different scenarios.. Ive retrieved many many bullets for examination of preformance..
Overall, the 9mm will preform more effectively in every situation IME.. It has more pennetration, more expansion, and more impact weight.
and in far more cases than not, the 9mm weapon platform allows for a higher capacity aswell.
The .38 is a real good contender imo tho, and does have its situation specific advantages over the 9mm ime. I dont question its ability to stop someone if applied correctly, like any load.. and Id feel a bit more comfortable with over pennetration issues inside my home.
I have some test rounds from various targets, from both the 9mm and .38spl.. Ill photo them and post pics up a bit later.. Im shure everyone will enjoy them.
ip
Ive had a good few 9mm's, had 2 .38'. between the two cal's Im down to 2 9's and 1 .38.
each of them, I have tried various SD loads with, on hard and soft targets, and different scenarios.. Ive retrieved many many bullets for examination of preformance..
Overall, the 9mm will preform more effectively in every situation IME.. It has more pennetration, more expansion, and more impact weight.
and in far more cases than not, the 9mm weapon platform allows for a higher capacity aswell.
The .38 is a real good contender imo tho, and does have its situation specific advantages over the 9mm ime. I dont question its ability to stop someone if applied correctly, like any load.. and Id feel a bit more comfortable with over pennetration issues inside my home.
I have some test rounds from various targets, from both the 9mm and .38spl.. Ill photo them and post pics up a bit later.. Im shure everyone will enjoy them.
ip
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