Some people don't like .38 special for Self Defense because Hollow Points may not expand or they view lighter bullets as having low penetration.
9mm however is deemed OK as 115 and 124 grain bullets are standard at 1100 to 1150 fps and 9mm operates at 35,000 psi. That's exactly where +P .38s run at lower pressure.

So looking at certain handload specs from Accurat, Alliant and Hodgdon, I see .38 +P at 1100 - 1200 for 110.grain and 125 grain out of a 4" barrel. At around 19,000 + psi. That's 9 mm velocity territory. (Factory .38 +P seems to be less than 1100), this while using the same bullet brand FTX XTP GoldDot Silvertip or whatever.

I think most people are shot wearing a t-shirt or thin shirt. Even wearing a Jacket thats
un-buttoned there is only thin material exposed.

Out of 2 inch guns .38 velocity may suffer some but out of 4 inch guns it is right up there. Factory +P lead hollow points were the self defense Magic Bullet in .38 for years before Hi Tec stuff came along and for some it is still THE bullet for 2 inch guns.

I was not thinking about these velocity comparisons before and am a little surprised at a good hot .38s potential when compared to standard 9mm Self Defense bullets.

your thoughts..

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US ARMY
Viet Nam 70-71