I keep finding conflicting information on this. What is the average ft/lbs difference between a .38 special (preferably +p) vs a .357 magnum from a 2" barrel? All the information I find the test gun used typically has a 4" barrel (and I know those extra 2" make a big difference). Is it worth it to buy a .357 magnum snubby when I all ready have a .38 special revolver? Is the additional weight of a .357 magnum revolver worth carrying when comparing the performance of .357 magnum over .38 special?

I have a .38 special revolver, but want something in a small size that packs a little more punch. I was debating on getting an XDS or .357 magnum 6-shot snub nose revolver.

I don't know the answer to your question, but this might help:

BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .357 Mag Results

Why don't you compare the 4" barrel numbers of the two rounds? The numbers should be relative.

I'm looking for a snubby, and I know the longer the barrel the more "performance" you will get from a .357 compared to the .38 special. The smaller the barrel, the less the difference will be between the two (2) calibers. I'd like to know how much that difference might be in a 2" barrel.

Depending on the projectile weight, the 357 Magnum will be 250-400 FPS faster than the 38 Spl load of the same weight from the same manufacturer.

Now the 357 Magnum load will also have more muzzle climb, more muzzle blast and more recoil.

You have to decide if you are willing to take that trade off and you will have to be capable of handling the additional recoil.

A 2 inch revolver like a Ruger SP101 or a stainless J-frame in .357 should still be able to get 1350 ft/s with the full-tilt Remington 125 gr. JHP .357 magnums. You're going to get a loud report and a good muzzle flash, but it's still a bit better than what you'd get with a .38 spl. +p in the same gun. If you go with boutique ammo companies like Underwood, you'll probably be able to get 1400 ft/s and more from a 2 inch barrel.

It's a trade off here: the short barrel is a 'specialized' tool. It's really for pocket carry and deep concealment, when you can't carry a REAL full sized handgun. It will not 'replace' the performance of a full size gun, what it does is allow for a compromise.

This is where I would start IIRC.... they have data on .357 ,38 and +P.38...... 2"s to 16-18"


Edit: Just looked......... sorry no +P data....... I'd add about 75fps for +P .38s


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I'm trying to think of a six shot .357 a K frame...... with a 2" barrel.......
66/19s are 2 1/2 or 3 inch........
13/65s are 3inch......

Colt had a Det. Special in .357 for a very short while in the 90s IIRC...... don't think there are many out there.... only ever seen one or two

Ruger Speed Six were........... 2 3/4 inch again IIRC...........

Smith L-Frame......I know 3" maybe some 2 1/2 inchers...........

If you really want a compact carry .357 ......... a 5 shot 60-10 ...... think mini-686 is a great way to go.......

In most cases the .357mag will be 300-400 fps faster, assuming same bullet weights and ammo makers from respective .38sp chambered 2" revolvers vs .357mag chambered 2" revolvers.
There are certainly cases when .38sp can match .357mag if comparing best effort load against a typical watered down .357 load, like a Buffalo Bore +p 158gr .38sp vs Magtech or Blazer 158gr .357 mag in 2" guns, or a med-vel .357mag 125gr like the Golden Saber vs Underwood 125gr .38sp..but apples to apples .357 mag is considerably more powerful.

If my hands could still take shooting 357 mag from Snubs I would carry it. They can't comfortably so I carry +P now.

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Two Handguns every day

While the .357 is always superior the real question for me is which one I can control during a deadly confrontation requiring follow-up shots. As a senior citizen the .38 +P is the limit in a light weight snub. I have complete confidence in this combination from past street experience.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Having compared those loads in a S&W model 60-9 years ago, the .357 will out perform the .38 for sure. The question is can you keep up with that performance? As others have stated, muzzle blast and recoil are pretty rough with the .357. Even in a K-frame with a snub barrel can be punishing. Follow up shots can be a bit slower with the .357. Look for a good .38 +p round that you can shoot well and go with it.

I'd rather put 2-3 lower powered 38 spl +P's into a bad guy than maybe 1 357. My back up gun on the job is a M37 loaded with 125gr Remington SJHP's and I have full confidence that, when the chips are down, they will be more than powerful enough to see me through.

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Matthew 5:9

Here's a link to an article that was written by Stephen Camp. I believe this article will answer your questions.

.38 Snub Vs. .357 Snub
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You will likely get more velocity out of a .357 than even a +P .38 Special, 100 to nearly 400 fps more depending on loads compared. The question is, does it make a difference? Keep in mind that any handgun is a compromise; it's far less powerful than a long gun, but far easier to tote around. The concealed carry snub nose revolver is even more of a compromise. Any easily concealed handgun is unlikely to cause immediate incapacitation in one shot. Now, it could cause a one shot stop because the threat was clipped in the pinky and decided that he should ply his trade elsewhere, but this is not something that we can reasonably count on. Thus multiple shots will likely be needed, even with a Magnum. If you can shoot .357 just as accurately and quickly as .38 +P, then it's a no-brainer. Choose the Magnum. But I'm betting most people will be significantly slower and less accurate with the .357, especially in some of the lighter-weight revolvers.

Choose the compromise that fits your needs, but we really don't need maximum velocity. We need only enough velocity. Expansion is nice, but unless the projectile can penetrate deep enough to drill a hole in something the threat immediately needs to keep doing what he's doing, it won't do much good. Most modern pistol ammo is pretty good at that, regardless of caliber. And good is probably good enough. I feel it's pretty hard to go wrong with .38 +P defensive loadings from major manufacturers: Speer Gold Dot, Winchester Ranger, Corbon DPX, Hornady Critical Defense. Pick what shoots to point of aim the best in your revolver, and call it done. Then go the range and practice getting good hits. The more I drill to get clean, rapid hits, the less I tend to worry about the minutiae of ammo selection.

Like the posters above said...you'll get some more velocity with a .357, but is it worth it? To me it's not. A .357 snub just has too much recoil and muzzle flash for me.

There are some articles and maybe some youtube videos on .357 versus .38 in a snub.

Also, how are you planning to carry? If it's pocket carry with a J frame, I say .38 all the way.

Shot placement is the most important thing so make sure you can shoot accurately what you carry.

Fox