Is a .38 more powerful than a 9mm?

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.

How is 9mm more powerful than .38 Special?

The standard pressure for the . 38 Special is roughly 17,000 pounds-per-square-inch (psi). However, the 9mm Luger has internal pressures of 35,000 psi. It's this higher internal pressure, the result of expansive propellant design and testing, that makes the smaller 9mm more powerful.

Is .38 the same as 9mm?

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

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.

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

Is a 38 Special a good carry gun?

38 Special is an absolute breeze, even with stout carry loads. The 2-inch model is the carry gun, while 4-inch, 5-inch and 6-inch barrel models can also be had. You'll pay for the innovative design and construction, but you get it back in function for sure.

What's the difference between 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 .

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.

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.

Is .38 ammo cheaper than 9mm?

Ammunition in 9mm is available in bulk and has many variations than the ammunition for . 38 Special. It is also cheaper.

Is 38 Special enough 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.

Is .357 the same as .38 Special?

38 Special and . 357 Magnum are exactly the same in width. It's only when looking at their length that you'll notice a difference. Many handgun owners shoot one or both of these rounds, and while the cartridges have a common heritage, these bullets perform in strikingly different ways.

What is the most powerful hand gun?

The Smith & Wesson Model 500 has held its rank as the world's most powerful handgun since it was first introduced in 2003.

Is a 45 ACP more powerful than a 9mm?

Power/Ballistics

A 9mm is smaller and lighter compared to the . 45 ACP. Therefore, it moves more quickly and has more penetration into the target. In addition to that, it also has higher velocity, giving more stopping power to halt the bullet.

How much kick does a 38 Special have?

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.

Is a revolver more reliable than a semi-auto?

Those who advocate for the relevance of the revolver will often counter with one or both of following arguments: Revolvers are more reliable and more accurate than semi-autos. There are plenty of other advantages of wheel guns, but in my experience, these two seem to be the most commonly repeated.

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.

Are revolvers safer to carry?

Inherently safe:

A revolver in double action form is inherently safe from most types of negligence. A double action revolver is that where the hammer is in the down position, and as the trigger is pressed to the back, the hammer follows suit by traveling rearward.

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.

What makes a gun a Magnum?

TLDR: Magnum ammunition comes with extra propellant (gunpowder) and/or a more generous projectile. Unlike other firearm terminology, “magnum ammunition” is both specific and vague. This can cause some confusion when you need to give a character a firearm with some extra oomph.

How much more powerful is a 357 Magnum than a 38 Special?

Modern 357 Magnum ammo is designed to fire a 158-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 1,235 FPS and a target thumping 535 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. Compare that to the 38 Special, which fires the same bullet weight at 755 FPS and has a muzzle energy of 200 ft-lbs, which is less than a 45 ACP.

What the difference between a 380 and 38?

they have similar bullet diameters. . 38 special is designed for use in revolvers and the . 380 ACP is used in semi-auto pistols.

What is the best 9mm carry handgun?