.38 +P vs .357

[Kapuna]

In a home defense situation, how much real difference is there?
Inquiring minds wanna know...

Thanks in advance for any opinions...

Kapuna

 

[USAF385]

I find .38+P shot from my 681 to be a bit tamer than .357.

I've been having trouble finding regular 38 spl in self defense rounds, so I picked up .38+Ps for my mother to use in the 686 I got for her. Like I said, I find it to me a bit more mild than the .357, and also less flash. That is important when firing inside.. at night. You don't want to blind yourself with the first shot. .357 is also louder... so who wants to be blind AND deaf when dealing with a HD situation.

As far as it being effective... yes it is.

 

[flop-shank]

Evan Marshall has seen his fair share of shootouts while on Detroit PD. He says muzzle flash and blast are range issues, not gunfight issues. Many of today's hot .357s have surprisingly little flash since they contain flash suppressed powders. I would hope you would illuminate a target before shooting at it anyway. Yes you can damage your ears firing a .357 indoors, but there are no guarantees a .38 won't either. In the meantime, if you don't stop the perp, he'll try to damage all of you. I want that guy out of there ASAP, so I want power on my side.

The .357 has a stellar reputation as a stopper. .38 +P isn't so highly regarded. I'll only advise you to do what I did. Pay your dues in practice, then run with .357s. While the .357 is a much better cartridge IMO (for those who have the skills to shoot it well), you will pay for that power in muzzle blast and recoil. What kind of gun is this for? While .357 hollowpoints will expand from a snub quite reliably, most .38+P loads leave me less than confident when heavy clothing is involved.

 

[OKFC05]

In a home defense situation, how much real difference is there?

Kapuna

All else being equal, the .357 can shoot the same bullet about 15 to 20% faster.

Making the "all else equal" requires dedicated practice by the shooter.
One .38 COM trumps anything else in the backstop.

 

[ChadW]

I've been having trouble finding regular 38 spl in self defense rounds, so I picked up .38+Ps for my mother to use in the 686 I got for her. Like I said, I find it to me a bit more mild than the .357, and also less flash. That is important when firing inside.. at night. You don't want to blind yourself with the first shot. .357 is also louder... so who wants to be blind AND deaf when dealing with a HD situation.

+1!

I actually do this with my own 686! First two are .38 +P for exactly the reason yu mentioned. The rest of the rounds are .357 though.

I actually have fired .357 inside my house at night to test the issues mentioned by USAF385. I live far away from civilization so no neighbors can hear and get worried. I opned my sliding doors and popped off a round wearing ear protection. Quite a bit louder and VERY bright. The concussion actually knocked a picture off the wall....

 

[scooter123]

When I first purchased my 620 I shot both 38 +P (Federal LE 130 gr. FMJ range ammo) and 357 Magnum (American Eagle HV 158 gr. JSP). To say the difference in recoil is mild is a huge understatement. Two boxes of the 38 +P was not problem at all, felt about the same as 38 spl. in my model 67. However, the 357 Magnum was an eye opener and after 3 cylinders I had enough. Small grips and large power just don't play well for me, now the 620 has the X frame grips on it.

My concern with 357 Magnum would be over penetration. I have some Hornaday 158 gr. JHP for the 620 but it's not my primary HD gun, for that I rely on my P239-40. Fact is, I think the 40 S&W is a great compomise between power and penetration. As for 38 +P, IMO it's a caliber best suited for a BUG. If you want a good HD revolver, my choice would be a 610 or one of the 44 spl. guns.

 

[Smith357]

For HD size is not really an issue so I use a +P from a 6" barrel for HD which gives about the same velocities as a full boat .357 snubbie with less recoil and muzzel flash.

 

[flop-shank]

Smith357, I like longer barrels too. My house gun is a 5" .44 magnum. Before that a 6" 686.

My concern with 357 Magnum would be over penetration. I have some Hornaday 158 gr. JHP for the 620 but it's not my primary HD gun, for that I rely on my P239-40. Fact is, I think the 40 S&W is a great compomise between power and penetration.

Overpenetration is more a bullet design issue than a caliber issue. There are full power .44 magnum loads that aren't overpenetrators. A good place to start is to avoid Hornady XTPs. They do exactly what they were designed to do, penetrate deeply.

 

[ddixie884]

Recently,i have been using some blazer .357 158gr JHP in my 3in K-frames, and sp101. I am very impressed with the low noise, and flash levels. It is advertised at 1150fps in 4in vented bbl. I really don't know what I'm getting yet (no chronograph) but I like it enough, that I have it in 4 of my guns.

 

[Nframe357]

For HD size is not really an issue so I use a +P from a 6" barrel for HD which gives about the same velocities as a full boat .357 snubbie with less recoil and muzzel flash.

According to whom? 357 even from a snubby will out perform ANY +p 38 regardless of barrel length, period. While effective a +P 38 will never compare to a properly loaded 357 for a fight, all of my 357's have 357's in them. I've carried both on duty and never felt the 357 lacking, the 38 well there were concerns. It's all about practice, my petite GF can shoot my 454 all day long with 270's at 1800+ fps and be very accurate. It's all about getting used to what you shoot. Why limit yourself if you don't have too?

 

[canoesota]

I have a 586-1 revolver in a six inch for home defense. I load it with Federal 357 Magnum 158 Grain Hydra-Shok JHP. I am comfortable shooting this load, and feel confident in its ability to protect me and my family. I feel home defense is like deer hunting, the goal is to use just one shot.

 

[Smith357]

According to whom?

According to the numbers published in my reloading manuals, both run 158 grain HPs at 1100-1200 fps.

Edit:

My apoligies Nframe357.

I just went back to recheck my information and found I've been reading from the wrong column...... DOH!! the +P only runs those speeds when using pipsqueek bullets. 158 Grains run around 950 fps from a 6" barrel. Please ingnore the bum info in my previous posts.

 

[armybass]

My HD gun is my 3" M65 .357 and I keep Remington FBI loads in it. I run the LSWCHP.38 +P's for the same flash and noise issues. I also worry about over penetration. Wen I leave the house I have .357 JHP's in my speed loaders.

 

[sw282]

My 28 has 357 Mag Hydra Shoks in it. Backed up by a Mod 15 w/ Hydra Shoks

 

[Spotteddog]

FWIW: The Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P 158 grain LSWCHP G/C loading is turning out 1000 FPS (and even a bit more in some 2" guns) out of my 1 7/8" barrel 342PD. I've seen claims (using chrono's) of near 1125 FPS on that same loading in a 4" gun. I don't know how that would extrapolate out in a 5" and a 6"?
YMMV?

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=108

 

[Trooper224]

The Model 66 used for HD around here is loaded with Speer Gold Dot .38 +P rounds. If it were only going to be used by me it would be loaded with .357 rounds, but my wife and youngest son (15) might also have to use it. My son often accompanies me to the range and likes to shoot, while my wife doesn't mind it she isn't an avid shooter. Given their limited abilities control is a primary concern, hence the .38 loads.

 

[badge 851]

The Model 66 used for HD around here is loaded with Speer Gold Dot .38 +P rounds. If it were only going to be used by me it would be loaded with .357 rounds, but my wife and youngest son (15) might also have to use it. My son often accompanies me to the range and likes to shoot, while my wife doesn't mind it she isn't an avid shooter. Given their limited abilities control is a primary concern, hence the .38 loads.

I have a similar issue. My wife can't handle the 357 Magnum recoil; thus our 686 home defense gun is loaded w/Buffalo Bore® 38 Special +P's 158gr LSWCHPGC.

 

[Lightfoot4]

I have a Taurus 66 .357 that I use as one of my house guns. I also have the wife concern, so I keep it loaded with Hydrashocks .38spl +P.

I also have a Colt Lawman II .357 that I’ve been thinking about employing as a house gun. Probably also put .38spl +P in it too. I haven’t shot it in years, but I remember the .357 round having quite a bit of kick and sting. If only me, I’d do the .357 round. But again I use the lower .38spl +P round because of my wife.

 

[safearm]

I don't think the noise, flash, or terminal ballistics are as important as the capability to handle the recoil for follow up shots. If you can manage the recoil and come back on target, then use the most capable round, i.e., .357 Magnum. If you can't, downsize to the next most capable round, the .38+P. The 125 grain .357 Magnum has earned the reputation as an efficient SD round; I've personally carried the .38 Special 158 grain LHP+P as a duty round and never felt underprepared.

 

[Wayne M]

What's the difference between HD and the street except in your house you may not be able to run away, range probably shorter and action needs to be ended, if anything, quicker to save your life or family. Use whatever you feel will protect you. If you feel good about the 38(and maybe you don't since you are asking) by all means use it. If it's the most potent you or your wife can handle, use it. ANY caliber is better than nothing but, maybe, the biggest, baddest, loudest round you can handle is your best choice. At home, probably waking from a sound sleep, if I start shooting I want the identified target just as terrified as I am.