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.

How does 38 Special compare to 380?

38 Special is a longer cartridge. . 380 is rimless while the . 38 Special is rimmed.

What has more recoil 380 or 38 Special?

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. Obviously more math is needed when comparing an 11 oz 380ACP with a 32 oz 38 Special.

Does 38 Special have stopping power?

38 special yields very limited stopping power. Yes, the peewees may be better than no gun, but not by much.

Is a 38 A good self-defense gun?

Is 38 Special A Good Self Defense Round? The gist of . 38 Special is that it's a medium bullet at medium velocity. It can be effective for personal defense but ammunition selection (and placement!) is important, especially if your gun has a shorter barrel length.

.380 ACP VS .38 Special in Short Barrels Federal PUNCH

Is a 22 or 380 more powerful?

A 380 ACP case, on the other hand, is just about as long (0.68 inches) but the bullet it fires is 0.355 inches in diameter. This means there is a lot more room for powder inside a 380 ACP case than a 22 LR case, resulting in a more powerful round.

Is .380 enough for self-defense?

From a self-defense perspective, the . 380 ACP performs to its greatest ability at close ranges, and by close I mean less than 3 yards — closer is even better. And, as always, shot placement is king.

Is 38 Special more powerful than 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.

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.

Is a 357 Magnum the same as a 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.

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's the best caliber for concealed carry?

While many concealed carriers will swear by larger calibers or smaller calibers, the 9mm has proven itself through time to be the “one size fits all” of ammunition. Provided a good choice of carry round, the moderate recoil and accuracy of the 9mm round is such that it is the default choice and for good reason.

What is the difference between 380 and 380 ACP?

When thinking about 380 ACP vs 380 Auto, the short answer is... there is no difference! There's only one . 380 cartridge, and it's .

Is a .380 a good carry weapon?

380 ACP is good for women's concealed carry. First is that . 380 ACP often has softer felt recoil, meaning the kick you get from the gun is less than from more powerful calibers...for the most part.

What is the most powerful .380 ammo?

380 ACP ammo is the Hornady Critical Defense. These rounds are designed to offer the highest muzzle velocity possible for the . 380 round at over 1,050 feet per second, which is one of the very highest out of the . 380 rounds in the industry.

What is the price of a 380 handgun?

380 is a little carry pistol that packs a big punch. It's lightweight, compact and comfortable to hold. The lightweight frame is made from a durable polymer, and the components are made from stainless steel and titanium. With a price tag of under $250, it's hard to find a better carry option at such a great price.

Will a 380 stop an intruder?

380 ammo doesn't have enough stopping power because of the relatively weak ballistics. However, the force of impact doesn't actually stop your attacker.

Which is better 9mm or 380?

380 is less destructive, it also performs with less of a recoil, making it a more accurate weapon in short-range, rapid-fire use. The 9mm has a maximum velocity of 1,400 FPS and an energy rating of 2465 foot pounds, and is by all measures a more powerful cartridge.

Can a cast iron pan stop a bullet?

If you're confronted in your kitchen, don't reach for the cast-iron skillet. Surprisingly, that didn't stand up to the gunshot. However, if you can make your way to the laundry room, that 14-pound box of kitty litter could save your life, as long as you hold it so the bullet has to travel the long way through.

What caliber has the most stopping power?

Everyone should buy a magnum-powered handgun in . 357 or larger caliber and feel completely secure that he or she has the best stopping power.

What is the easiest pistol to conceal?

Is a 38 special good for concealed carry?

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 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.

What handgun has the most stopping power?

Ruger 1707 GP100

The GP100 can hold . 357 Magnum rounds, giving it high honors for stopping power. However, with only six rounds, you'll want to be sure to spend time practicing.