the debate of single stack 9s vs small revolvers is raging in the revolver forum, so what's your take on 9mm vs 38spl in std and +p versions for small carry pieces, say 3" or less, or shield vs 340,442.....no 357mag.

It is the difference between Ford and Chevy

Lots of people on both sides, but it really does not make a difference in the long run.

Both throw roughly the same weight .355"-.357" projectiles down range at roughly the same speed, so the wounding/stopping power is going to be roughly the same

"Caliber" doesn't win fights. "Tactics" wins fights. Train, practice, but most of all, THINK your way into and thru situations. It's not the "hardware" that matters. It's the "Man".

With today's modern technology, the high quality of commercially available ammunition makes arguing .38 Special vs 9mm for "civilian self-defense" downright silly.

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In my 38 J frame snub nose I can get the factory Remington
125gr JHP +P load to cross my chrony at 910 fps.

A Kahr 3" 9mm with a 124gr Gold Dot from Speer will cross my
chrony at 1,112 fps.

I never did the heavy 147gr in the little 9mm but I know which
weapon I would want in my corner............

and I would actually be using the lighter 115gr out of the 9mm
due to my tests, if in the warmer months.

So how does the 38 snub nose load compare to that 9mm load? Probably a little more apples to apples

If you mean reload...........?

You have 5 to 7 shots to stop a threat.
If it can not be done, a revolver or pistol is not your cup of tea.

I don't plan on a reload.

Is that your question?

Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Carry what you shoot best and have the most confidence in....your life may one day depend on it !

Gary

What ever you can put the most rounds in the 10 ring with. A hit with a 22 is much better than a miss with a 44 mag.

Not much difference between the two in my opinion and I carry them both. A lot depends on my dress and how I want to carry. If its going in my pocket, then its a 5 shot 38. If its going on my belt, then its probably a single stack 9mm during this time of year.

To each his on just be able to put the bullets where they need to go.

Why no 9mm vs .357 Mag? Both have a MAP of 35,000 PSI which makes the comparison fair.

__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

My opinion is that as long as you pick a good quality, modern HP that's reliable in your gun and you can shoot it well, it's not likely to make much, if any, difference.

Great replies. I have to quote this one:

The only difference for me is that I might just as easily/readily carry a K frame snubby as opposed to a small 9mm like my CS-9 depending on my mood and what, EXACTLY, am I hiding it under. If it's just a shirt the 9mm wins. If it is a vest or jacket, the K frame is more likely but if the 9mm is already out from yesterday and the .38 is locked up, well, it's that kind of a decision. I view them equally.

That's exactly correct and why I practice with both varieties. I shoot a lot of other toys at the range but I am more serious about my shooting when it comes to my carry guns.

well ok, the shield has a three inch barrel,no,..no a two inch barrel take away the chamber,so we'll have to compare it to a two inch 357 revolver, IMO is next to worthless

I could argue either side. For a newbie I recommend a revolver just because it is simpler. For someone with more experience I would suggest they go with whatever they are comfortable with.

If you are asking specifically about the ammo and nothing else - well then 9mm is going to have more energy, however 38 special does allow for a better bullet selection, however 9mm bullet design has improved over the years, however that bullet design would have also improved the 38 special bullets right?

ammo that is used in handguns pistol and revolver in 9mm and 38spl with 3" barrels.

If you want to measure a rimmed rounds energy apples to apples with a semi-auto round, instead of a revolver with its cylinder gap which effectively robs the pressure of an inch of barrel length, compare it using the break-action 3" barrel .357 of the Bond Derringer to the Shield.

Mighty .357 - The Worlds First Magnum Cartidge Withstands the Test Of Time - Bond Arms

this thread was an extension of the single stack 9 vs carry revolver thread, so lets stay on track

It's a "Fairy's On The Head Of A Pin" caliber discussion, unless you match platforms, which the break-action does, then you can compare calibers equally.

Not taking sides. I carry both.

break actions were never in the discussion,REVOLVER vs SEMI AUTO single stack 9mm vs carry revolvers.

Since the title is 9mm VS 38SPL, I guess you evolved it to your liking after the fact.

That's OK, I really should have known better. I'm done.

I prefer the simplicity and dependability of the revolver. However, there are many small 9mm's out there which are equally dependable. I would prefer the 9mm in duty sized firearms (i.e. Glock 19 with Speer 124 gr Gold Dot +Ps - proven track record with NYPD)

Having had surgery on my off-hand elbow, I cannot disagree more - so long as I limit my disagreement to civilian users.

I placed a thread in gun leather an carry gear sub-forum titled, A cogent phrase pertaining to concealed carry. Since civilian EDCs have lower necessity - much lower?? - for large handgun cartridge capacity and gun reloading, comments by me (OP of "A cogent . . .") here apply to carriers having both hands working, plus being redundant here.