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  #51  
Old 10-05-2013, 10:12 AM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Originally Posted by Donn View Post
I normally avoid these caliber threads like the plague. They usually descend into "Mine's better than yours." Then I saw the magic words, 38 Super. Trig, if you're open to a 1911 platform, take a look at one in 38 Super. It should fit your needs like a glove.
I normally don't respond to threads that are nearly 4 years old....

Is there something between a .38 and a .357? Yeah, just about every other cartridge!!

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  #52  
Old 10-05-2013, 11:54 AM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Originally Posted by spearcrow View Post
The 38spl+p is really comparative to a lot of 357 stock ammo, and the two become even closer when fired from a snubby barrel, where a lot off your potential velocity may be lost compared to a longer barrel. Also, in most of my shorter barreled 357 mags, muzzle blast is an issue, epsecially at night.
Muzzle blast and flash are magnified from any short-barreled revolver. A while back I was shooting .38 Special +P in my J-frame and guys in bays on either side of me asked if I had a .357.

Flash and blast of .357 Magnum are pretty hellacious anyway. In a snubby, no thanks. That night shooting thing is a key point for me. I see no way the first shot in a night time SD incident wouldn't temporarily blind me and render me unable to recognize a possible second assailant.

There's a ton of good .38 Special +P ammo out there. The 135gr. Gold Dot Short Barrel apparently is very impressive. The FBI load has worked well for forty years, and now Buffalo Bore seems to have improved on it in higher-velocity, low-flash versions.

I'd love to have a 696 or other .44 Special, but I'm quite confident my .38 +P can get the job done if needed.
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  #53  
Old 10-05-2013, 12:19 PM
feralmerril feralmerril is offline
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Most any cartridge .38 special and above is pretty good for self defense. I would also add .32 H&R mag and .327 mag to the list. 44 special is my favorite and I also like .45 colt. The .44 special and .45 colt doesnt make the sharp ear ringing blast like the .357. Also they have a easier kick and better knock down. Many people here are ga ga with the heavy models 27 and 28 smiths. Yet on the same N frame you can choose 44 special and 45 colt. I own a beautiful model 27-2 5" I bought new around 1970. Yet it`s barely fired. Why? Because I own some smith N frame .44 specials that I like better as they are lighter with a better cartridge that isnt a ear ringer. All told, I also own 4 .357s. A 3" 66 - 3 and a couple pythons. Why carry a heavy 27 or 28 when you can carry a lighter 19 or 66 on a K frame? If I want to carry a N frame its usualy a 4" 24-3 or a converted HD to .44 special in 5". I also have a model 29-2 5" but seldom carry it as my .44 specials will do everything I need 99.9% as well. I dont need 6 of the 7 .44 specials I have but I am greedy.
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  #54  
Old 10-05-2013, 12:51 PM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Triggernosis, If you have a 38 special or .357 Magnum revolver, try the Buffalo Bore 38/44 38 special round. Defiantly a step up from a 38 special +P round and somewhat of a step down from a .357 Magnum round. The only drawback is the price. At a $1.75 per round they are not target or plinking ammo.
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  #55  
Old 10-05-2013, 01:08 PM
george minze george minze is offline
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donn View Post
I normally avoid these caliber threads like the plague. They usually descend into "Mine's better than yours." Then I saw the magic words, 38 Super. Trig, if you're open to a 1911 platform, take a look at one in 38 Super. It should fit your needs like a glove.
38 super is just about the ideal round IMHO However finding the right framed 1911 that shoots it with out flaw can be not only a hard task ,but a extremely costly one. Ammo can be hard to get also....of course 22 can be hard to get now...Even Novak with his buyinmg power has a hard time getting 38super colts or he did.....As I can't afford one I have not been shopping for one.....But if the wonder gun at a wonder price became avaiable I probably would...well you know how that goes...
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  #56  
Old 10-05-2013, 01:23 PM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Wow, three year thread revival.
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  #57  
Old 10-05-2013, 01:36 PM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Super .38! Yeah that's the ticket alright. Dale
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  #58  
Old 10-05-2013, 04:17 PM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mickey D View Post
Yes. Officially .45 Colt. Long Colt was added as to distinguish from .45acp
Actually, the .45 Long Colt designation was used to distinguish it from the .45 Schofield or ".45 Short."

I have to go along with what several others have already said...go with the .45 Colt or the .45 acp.
.45 acp


.45 Colt
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  #59  
Old 10-05-2013, 04:26 PM
Gunsnwater Gunsnwater is offline
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Larry View Post
And speaking of...what ever happened to the 327 Federal any way? It seems to have dissapeared off of the face of the earth.
It shacked up with the 32 h&r mag and together they sailed into the setting sun.
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  #60  
Old 10-05-2013, 06:23 PM
feralmerril feralmerril is offline
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I dont know about that, I have one. Its a snappy, flat shooting, accurate, recoiless cartridge.

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  #61  
Old 10-05-2013, 06:35 PM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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38 super automatic. I think you can even shoot it in revolver, you would have to have the cylinder converted to take moonclips. I have heard that some may have done that in IPSC.
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  #62  
Old 10-05-2013, 06:39 PM
george minze george minze is offline
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mule Packer View Post
Actually, the .45 Long Colt designation was used to distinguish it from the .45 Schofield or ".45 Short."

I have to go along with what several others have already said...go with the .45 Colt or the .45 acp.
.45 acp


.45 Colt
What a nice rig for the 1911, seems very well done....
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  #63  
Old 10-05-2013, 09:10 PM
policerevolvercollector policerevolvercollector is offline
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pawncop View Post
Triggernosis,

As you have read, there are many options to your situation.

Allow me to muddy the waters just a little bit more.

My primary off duty sidearm is the Glock 32 (357 Sig) with a Hart's recoil reducer guide rod. The reason it is my primary off duty is I have 16 rounds (with a 2+ magazine adaptor), it is a very good round, I am (without bragging) dead on with it, and it is very manageable from a recoil standpoint.

This is not to take anything away from the other comments.

Were I to have to go back to a revolver for duty carry, I would choose my S&W 25-5 in 45 Colt, or a Model 29 4" loaded with 44 Special, or my Model 57 in 41 Magnum.

But I will probably just keep toting my S&W M&P in 45 ACP, oh and in a compact version, that would be great as well.

Remember, the joy is in the quest.
The .357 Sig Glock 33 is my primary off duty gun. It a smaller version of what Pawncop carries. It is very concealable and quite easy to control with a little practice. I really like having the ballistic equal of a 4" .357 in that package with the right rounds.

Having said that, my next pistol is going to be a Taurus PT1911 .38 Super.

Last edited by policerevolvercollector; 10-05-2013 at 11:22 PM.
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  #64  
Old 10-05-2013, 10:12 PM
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Holy Zombie Thread, Batman!! Calibers between .38 SP and .357 Mag, hmm. Staying with similar bullet diameter and going up in bang rating:

.38SP +P
9mm Largo
9mm Luger
.38 Super
.357 Sig
9x23 Winchester
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  #65  
Old 10-05-2013, 10:57 PM
BaaBaa BaaBaa is offline
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunsnwater View Post
It shacked up with the 32 h&r mag and together they sailed into the setting sun.
Actually it's alive and well and stocked right next to the 357. Be sure to check the boxes when you buy ammo! Cabela's has a lot of 327 in stock all the time now.
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  #66  
Old 10-06-2013, 03:09 AM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Originally Posted by Damn Yankee View Post
Check Out the 38 Super
Second.

Definitely check it out!
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  #67  
Old 10-06-2013, 03:32 PM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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.45ACP?


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Originally Posted by Lost Lake View Post
I normally don't respond to threads that are nearly 4 years old....
.
D'OH!!!

Got me again...

Last edited by Fishslayer; 10-06-2013 at 03:35 PM.
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  #68  
Old 10-06-2013, 04:08 PM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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.45 ACP in a 625 very pleasant and accurate to shoot , just ask my Grandson
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  #69  
Old 10-06-2013, 04:55 PM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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While I'd like it never to be said that I would talk anybody out of a new gun, I'd offer this.
The 44 special is a great and often overlooked chambering. However, it's not generally found in small to medium framed revolvers that are favored in the CC world. Not saying that aren't suitable, but look a weight and size specs and weigh them against your tolerances for carry before committing.

Additionally, I'd argue that you already have a revolver that is chambered to accept two of the most common and diversely loaded calibers on the planet. The 38 special and 357 mag. Before running off to buy another caliber, I'd look to see what you can find in low recoil 357 mags and or +p (even +P+) . You should be able to find something with plenty of power and yet reduced muzzle flash and jump that full boat 357.
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  #70  
Old 10-06-2013, 11:14 PM
mtgianni mtgianni is offline
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kanewpadle View Post
Supposedly the new 327 Federal is supposed to be the answer to that question.

Guess we'll see.

I prefer to stay mainstream.
Not if ouch is measured in the ears. It does recoil less than the 357.
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  #71  
Old 10-07-2013, 08:52 AM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Triggernosis View Post
Is there a cartridge that has more power than the .38 Special but is more "manageable" than the .357 Magnum?
Re: OP. There are cartridges that offer more power. Manageable? In equal weight revolvers ... no. In equal weight revolvers of approximately the same geometry, more power will result in more recoil, etc., making initial and follow up shots more difficult to manage. The third law of motion has not been repealed.
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  #72  
Old 10-07-2013, 10:58 PM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Swissman View Post
Q: "Is there a cartridge that has more power than the .38 Special but is more "manageable" than the .357 Magnum?"

A: .44 Special............. More "oohmph", less "outch".

Swissman
Since this came up I have to say that with a 200grn Gold Dot factory load in a 696....and a 158 grain ..357 hydrashok in a 66 2.5"....I personally don't think theres enough difference for one to tell. They are very close to each other in recoil and performance though I think the .44 is probably my choice just for the hole it makes. I use and carry both on occasion and have compared them at the range.
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  #73  
Old 10-07-2013, 11:08 PM
3rdRRU_PhuBai 3rdRRU_PhuBai is offline
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.45 ACP in a Glock-30.
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  #74  
Old 10-08-2013, 09:52 PM
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More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag? More power than .38, less rowdy than .357 Mag?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jack oconnor View Post
.45 ACP in a 625 very pleasant and accurate to shoot , just ask my Grandson
Looks like he's cocking the gun with his finger inside the trigger guard.... You may want to talk with him about that.

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