To the OP: it depends.

Barrel length on a .38 special (standard pressure) will effect the ballistics. A typical 2 inch barrel 38 standard pressure, in MY OPINION, is about equivalent in 'real world' effectiveness to a similarly sized .380 auto.

The .38 will have heavier bullets (158 gr.). The .380 will have lighter bullets at higher velocities (95 gr.).

A 2 inch snub nose and a 3.6 inch .380 auto are roughly the same dimensions length and height and weight. The .38 will be a little fatter. I'm comparing things like a 642 to a Sig P232, or a model 60 to a Makarov PM 380.

The .380 auto will have higher capacity. A .38 will have 5 shots and a slow reload. A .380, like a Sig P232 or Walther PPK/S, will have 8 shots and a faster reload. That's significant, IMO.


I really think it's a wash. Pick which platform you like, practice with it, and the differences will disappear.