38 spcl+p vs 9mm+p

[mls]

I did not find this in a search function.

For self defense what are the comparisons? Thanks

 

[WC145]

9mm is hotter in any given bullet weight.
.38spl has the advantage of the availability of heavier bullets than are available in 9mm.

 

[JNewell]

Depending on what you're comparing, remember the differences between how semiauto barrels are measured and how revolver barrels are measured.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

First 9mm was tupperware, 38 was a mans round , Just kidding. The 38 has a rounds from 125gr to 158 gr - more to choose from, and way more guns to pick from.

 

[JayDubya]

In 1968, as I prepared for my second deployment flying off carriers against North Vietnam, I decided that my issued S&W .38sp revolver was inadequate for anything but firing tracers straight up while swallowing seawater by the gallon. After study, I bought a Browning Hi Power 9x19 with two spare magazines for $200 all told, and had a parachute rigger build magazine carriers along the chest strap of a surplus Air Force .45 bandolier holster. I wore that rig on two more carrier cruises as well. (I also carried a flare kit that took care of announcing my presence in the deep sea. It was infinitely better than .38sp tracers) I knew that 9x19 and .38sp military bullets would exit at precisely the same size as they entered my target, so that was a wash. What I wanted was more ammo. And I got it.

That was my situation. I'm asking you to consider your own situation when deciding which way, which caliber, which handgun to buy. Recent improvements in bullet design have rendered expansion a nonfactor. If you buy the dollar-a-round stuff in either caliber, you will get everything you could hope for. So it boils down to -- what is your situation? And what do you like to shoot?

Cordially, Jack

 

[skywarrior]

Which Carrier??

I made two cruises to Vietnam in 68-69. Was an AT3 working on A-3 Skywarriors on the flight deck of the USS Ranger. Lots and lots of fun Which carrier were you on and what squadron?? Sure don't blame you for the weapon upgrade!

 

[JayDubya]

VS-23 aboard Yorktown and two helo det cruises aboard Oriskany -- the first is now a museum and the second an underwater playground. You were in A3Ds. We had them aboard Oriskany on my first cruise. The nickname, as I recall was "A3D -- all three dead." I had exactly that situation in VS23 flying S2s -- the way out is the way in, ten feet back.

Cordially, Jack

 

[scooter123]

If you look at just the muzzle energy numbers the 9mm is a clear winner. The 9mm typically generates about 300 ft.lbs. of muzzle energy from a 4 inch barrel, the 38 spl. comes in at about 200 ft.lbs. Go to +P and there is even more divergence, most commercial loadings of the 9mm +P ranges between 425 and 450 ft.lbs., in comparison the 38 +P only generates about 250 ft.lbs.

BTW, at one point Buffalo Bore offered a load that was labeled as a 38 +P but with a muzzle energy listed at something like 480 ft.lbs. IMO that load would be more properly described as a 38/44. That is a load the approaches Magnum energy levels and I would only use that particular load in a 357 Magnum, IMO it's too hot for a gun rated for 38 +P.

So, if you go purely by the numbers, the 9mm parabellum is a clear winner. However, as noted, you can't get the bullet mass that's available in the 38 spl.. Those numbers are achieved by a combination of higher operating pressure and lighter bullets.

Personally, I think that energy is over emphacized, I believe that choosing a caliber that you are very competant with is far more important. Maybe it's a factor of age and experience, but I've rarely seen someone shooting a 38 spl. that wasn't pretty good with it. I've also seen volumes of 9mm shooters who can't hit a barn door at 30 feet. My advice would be to carry whatever you shoot best with, if that happens to be the 38 spl. just remember that it has about a 100 year history of proving itself to be effective.

 

[airman]

I was an ART2 on the Enterprise (CV(N)-6) in her last two battles of WWII. I had nine combat missions where I acted as RIO (Radar Intercept Officer). Perhaps the only such specialty in the western Pacific at the time. The only other was my officer, LT(jg) 'Bud" Jenks.

It took forty years to really realize how much we aircrew depended on our pilot to get us back home.

Thank you, sir, for your service, and for having survived another terrible
conflict.

Robert Brecount

Oh, this is about guns. I carry a nice 642-2 in an ankle holster. Neat!

 

[Old cop]

Personally I would not get too hung up on the difference here. The real question is which platform, revolver or semi-auto, are you most familiar with and shoot the best. I prefer a revolver since that is what I used during my LEO career. Remember when things go bad your fine motor skills go out the window and you will revert to what is most familiar to you.

 

[Pointblank2U]

The .38 also has the distinct advantage of shooting bullets of any shape. They can look like open garbage cans and still work fine. The 9mm rounds have to feed to work and that limits their shape.

 

[mls]

Thanks guys. Good information. My question evolves from a decision to look at a smaller frame for carry in summer clothing and for back-up. My long time carry options are M19-3,
Sig 229 and 1911 and I am very comfortable and competent with either platform. I think my next decision is platform reliability, not caliber.
Thanks again.

 

[Elmer]

If you look at just the muzzle energy numbers the 9mm is a clear winner. The 9mm typically generates about 300 ft.lbs. of muzzle energy from a 4 inch barrel, the 38 spl. comes in at about 200 ft.lbs. Go to +P and there is even more divergence, most commercial loadings of the 9mm +P ranges between 425 and 450 ft.lbs., in comparison the 38 +P only generates about 250 ft.lbs.

BTW, at one point Buffalo Bore offered a load that was labeled as a 38 +P but with a muzzle energy listed at something like 480 ft.lbs. IMO that load would be more properly described as a 38/44. That is a load the approaches Magnum energy levels and I would only use that particular load in a 357 Magnum, IMO it's too hot for a gun rated for 38 +P.

So, if you go purely by the numbers, the 9mm parabellum is a clear winner. However, as noted, you can't get the bullet mass that's available in the 38 spl.. Those numbers are achieved by a combination of higher operating pressure and lighter bullets.

Personally, I think that energy is over emphacized, I believe that choosing a caliber that you are very competant with is far more important. Maybe it's a factor of age and experience, but I've rarely seen someone shooting a 38 spl. that wasn't pretty good with it. I've also seen volumes of 9mm shooters who can't hit a barn door at 30 feet. My advice would be to carry whatever you shoot best with, if that happens to be the 38 spl. just remember that it has about a 100 year history of proving itself to be effective.

Personally, I think that energy is over emphasized,

Indeed, and in pistol rounds, it's also meaningless. Many 9mm rounds generate more muzzle energy than .45 ACP.

Pistol bullets merely poke holes in things. Where that hole is poked is the number one concern. Use one that you can accurately poke as big and as deep of a hole as possible.

 

[mls]

Exactly Elmer. That's why I have always had the "at least .357, .40" thing for carry going on. I love the .38 and 9mm for fun (no longer any competition) but, I am leaning out my caliber choices. I no longer reload, but still shoot around 3000 rounds per year center fire and way more .22. I may just stick to what I have always carried. Thanks for the good info.