Standard pressure . 38 Special only produces 264 foot-pounds of force (147-grain bullet at 900 feet per second out of a 4-inch barrel), while standard pressure 9mm can produce 365 foot-pounds of force (124-grain bullet at 1,150 feet per second). This is 38.25% more energy at the muzzle in favor of the 9mm.

Does a 38 have stopping power?

When topped with a high-quality Hornady or Speer hollow-point projectiles, the stopping power is quite impressive. A good hit with JHP or semi-wadcutter hollow-point rounds out of an old snub-nose revolver will get an attacker's attention.

What's bigger 9mm or 38 Special?

Both bullets are equal in bullet diameter, the 9mm case is about 3/8 of an inch shorter than the . 38 Special but boasts double the pressure. Lets apply some common sense to simple physics and see what the ballistic charts look like.

Is a 38 Special good for home defense?

38 Special cartridge, the revolver is a good home defense handgun. It takes a great deal of time, money, and training to be appreciably better armed with a handgun.

What is the difference between a 38 and 38 Special?

There's no difference between a . 38 and a 38 special. The former refers to a caliber with a . 357 inch bullet diameter, while the latter is a cartridge variant under the .

"9mm is ALWAYS More Powerful than .38 Special" - Except for When it's NOT - (? Hairy Canary Time)

Why is .38 Special so popular?

38 Special is still popular, particularly among those who prefer the simplicity and aesthetic of revolvers. It is inexpensive and available in a wide variety of configurations, from regular ball ammo to hollow points to high pressure +P rounds. The . 38 Special is one of the most durable cartridges in history.

What is the best caliber for home defense?

The most common caliber for a home defense handgun is 9mm. This does mean that your gun will penetrate through walls and can possibly harm your loved ones during a home invasion. Also, many experts recommend hollow point ammo because of the power, and they are a bit safer to shoot in a home defense scenario.

Why does 38 Special cost more than 9mm?

As the much smaller cartridge, it's only fair that the 9mm should cost as little as half as much as a 38 Spl. There's simply less lead and copper in it, and its lighter weight means it costs less to ship as well. It's not uncommon for 9mm ammo to run 20-30% less than 38 special.

Is a 38 Special a good carry gun?

38 special revolver, is “ideal for concealed carry… This firearm was designed to meet the needs of new shooters and seasoned professionals alike. It's enjoyable to shoot, easy to carry.”

What handgun has the most stopping power?

Ruger 1707 GP100

The GP100 can hold . 357 Magnum rounds, giving it high honors for stopping power.

How much more powerful is a 38 or 357?

38 Special has a muzzle energy of 208 foot-pounds, while the . 357 Magnum logs a muzzle energy of 539 foot pounds. The comparisons we've given have the same bullet sizes, making it clear that the . 357 Magnum is more powerful.

What has more recoil 9mm or 38?

. 38mm Special offers low recoil when compared to the 9mm Luger. Bothe these cartridges have lesser recoil as compared to other cartridges like .

Does a 38 revolver kick?

If you have shot any one caliber listed, you can estimate the comparative recoil from the other guns based on the figures given. For example, a 38 Special has roughly twice the recoil of a 380 ACP i.e. 1.39 X 2 = 2.78. Again this assumes guns of equal weight at 40 ounces.

Which is more powerful a 38 Special or a 380?

38 Special carry more energy than those from a . 380 Auto. In the example of the . 380 firing a 90 grain bullet at 1,040 feet per second, that bullet would provide about 215 foot-lbs.

Is a 357 Magnum more powerful than a 9 mm?

The 357 Magnum round loaded with a 125-grain projectile reaches almost 1,500 feet per second and strikes targets with 585 foot-pounds of energy. Needless to say, ballistically, it outperforms the 9mm. The 357 Magnum also has no problems reaching the FBI standards and even exceeding them.

What is the best 38 caliber handgun?

38 Special Pistol. 7 Best . 38 Special Revolvers For CCW [2022]

• Model 638 Smith and Wesson 38 Special Revolver. ...
• Charter Arms Undercover 38 Special Gun. ...
• Smith and Wesson Model 10: The First 38 Special Revolver. ...
• LCR Ruger 38 Special Revolver. ...
• S&W M&P Bodyguard 38 Special Revolver With Laser.

Is a 9mm revolver worth it?

The Why. First off, 9mm ammo is cheaper, more common, and readily available on a broader degree of defensive loadings than 38 Special or 357 Magnum. It outperforms 38 Special, and in a snub nose, it's still mild to shoot and easy to handle. Without a doubt, 357 Magnum outclasses it.

What is the best handgun caliber for general self-defense?

Capacity. The 9mm offers greater magazine capacity than virtually any other pistol caliber carried for personal defense. If the wounding capabilities of 9mm and the other cartridges are nearly identical, it would seem to be that having more rounds in you magazine will give you a better opportunity to stop an attacker.

What is the best weapon to carry for self-defense?

The 10 Best Self-Defense Weapons for Men in 2022

• Compact Sport & Safety Horn. ...
• Diablo 2 Stun Gun. ...
• Triple Action Police Strength Pepper Spray. ...
• 3-pack Emergency Self Defense Personal Whistle Alarm Keychain. ...
• Ultimate Knife, Tactical Knife with Fire Starter, Sharpener, and Knife Sheath. ...
• Williams Defense Key.

What is the smallest caliber for self-defense?

First of the small calibers for self-defense is the . 22 rimfires, specifically . 22 Long Rifle and . 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, also called .

What's the difference between 9mm and 38 Special?

Standard pressure . 38 Special only produces 264 foot-pounds of force (147-grain bullet at 900 feet per second out of a 4-inch barrel), while standard pressure 9mm can produce 365 foot-pounds of force (124-grain bullet at 1,150 feet per second). This is 38.25% more energy at the muzzle in favor of the 9mm.

Is .380 the same as 38?

38, . 357, . 380 auto and 9mm ammunition are all the same caliber. (Caliber is the size of the projectile, or bullet.)

Do they make 9mm revolvers?

Ruger LCR. The Ruger LCR 9mm is a solid self-defense option that is easy for anyone to operate. There are some law enforcement officers that like to use this one for a back-up. Built for concealed carry, this Ruger revolver comes in at a trim 17.2 ounces, making it a breeze to conceal in a holster or purse.

Which is more powerful a 38 or a 45?

The difference between 45 and 38 Super is the bullet diameter each cartridge fires and their muzzle velocity. The 45 ACP fires a 0.452” diameter bullet at lower muzzle velocity while the 38 Super fires a 0.356” diameter bullet at higher muzzle velocities.