.38 Special vs .357 Magnum for EDC

[6ForSure]

I'm curious what caliber ya'll currently carry in J frames when we have a choice, and why?

 

[thomasinaz]

Speer 125 Gr 357 Magnum Gold Dots in my 340 PD, when it gets slipped into a pocket. I only shoot a few of these at a time, and practice mostly with medium warm 357 handloads in this little gun.

 

[CoMF]

For me, it's .38 Special +P in my 649-3. I'm not especially fond of firing full house magnums from a wee J-frame, let alone a K-frame snub. Besides, I have a much better "launching platform" for the .357 Magnum in the form of a 4" barreled 686 no-dash.

 

[Big Cholla]

It is absolutely a personal choice, but IMHO, it isn't the gun, it isn't the caliber, it isn't the velocity of the bullet, it isn't the weight of the bullet, it is bullet placement that counts in the end. ...............

 

[colt_saa]

357 Magnum Hornady XTP-HPs in the heaviest J-Magnum I am dressed for

 

[jimbo728]

357 Magnum Hornady XTP-HPs in the heaviest J-Magnum I am dressed for

There truly are 8 days in a week. That pic makes it so!
Jim

 

[one eye joe]

I CARRY SPEER GOLD DOT .38SPL +P, 135GR, SWCJHP, LOW FLASH, FOR SHORT BARRELS IN MY M642 J FRAME, AND MY M686+ L FRAME. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT PERFORMING, RELIABLE ROUND, THAT EXPANDS WELL AND DOESN'T OVER PENETRATE. IT IS EASILY CONTROLLED FOR SECOND SHOTS IN THE LIGHTWEIGHT J FRAMES, LIKE THE M642. IT HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY MOST DEPARTMENTS THAT STILL AUTHORIZE OFFICERS (LIKE DICKS, OR DESK STAFF) TO CARRY REVOLVERS, THAT WILL CHAMBER THAT ROUND.….

 

[S&W Rover]

I load .38 Specials -- either the Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Ammo - 158 gr. Soft Lead SWC-HC (850fps/M.E. 253 ft. lbs.) or the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .38 Special +P 135 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point (860 fps/M.E. 222 ft. lbs.).

From what I've read, these are the two most effective rounds out there for self-defense applications [added: in .38 Special] with a lessened chance of over-penetration.

The weapon is either the Mdl 642 or, preferred, the Mdl 640. In the 640, which is moon clipped, the Buffalo Bore lead round is the starter, and the Gold Dot is the refill.

 

[chief38]

I've posted lengthy responses to this more than a few times so I will keep it brief here. You can do a search and will find them.

IMHO a .357 Magnum out of a 2" barrel are pretty much a waste! Too much flash, recoil, noise, slow recovery for second shot, and of course the possibility of over penetration. All that and not much advantage at all over the .38 Special Buffalo Bore HEAVY 158 grain LSWCHP-GC +P. The Speer .38 Spl. Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 grain JHP +P is also a fine and proven round. Save the magnums for 3" and over barrels and note the round was originally designed around a 6" barrel - that's where the magnums ballistics really shine.

I am a believer in shooting a bunch of carry loads while practicing with the gun you carry and once you do shoot Magnums from your 2" J Frame I think you will see the light.

 

[sodacan]

Federal .38 special 129 grain +P JHP is a great choice in a snubby, IMO. My one and only "J" frame is a 649-2. I am no fan of .357 magnum in the small frame short barreled gun. Too much flash and recoil for me. Shoot what you like and like what you shoot.

 

[BigUgly1]

38 Spl +P, Factory ammo, been while since bought them, not good I admit. Do not shoot many +Ps, as gun is not recommended in 442.

 

[K-framer]

38 spl. for me......either full standard loads or +P. For bullets, I use either 158 gr. HP's or 148 gr. DE wadcutters. I have some that I loaded with 125 gr. Hornady HP's as well.

Haven't shot anyone lately, so I can't say as which might be the most effective.

 

[DD357]

If you really shoot one as well as the other then it really doesn't matter, shoot the 38 better - then go with it. The 125gr 357Mag one shot stop nonsense has been debunked in any case. Choose a load that gives proper penetration and press on. I carry 135gr SB Gold Dot's.

 

[Smith61]

Whichever you can shoot the most accurately under stress..................

 

[16thVACav]

135 grain JHP Speer Gold Dot SB .38 Special, regardless of whether the J-frame is a .38 or .357.

 

[scruffy]

Model 60-14 with Federal Personal Defense 125 gr.357 SJHP for hiking in the woods, or EDC Model 442 with Speer Gold Dot 135 gr .38+P JHP short barrel ammo in the city, suburban areas, etc.

 

[John R]

When I do carry a revolver it's a 442 with GD +P short barrel rounds.

Most of the time I carry a M&P compact in 40 cal.

 

[TucsonMTB]

Admittedly, this is an "old school", hard to find, normal pressure, .38 Special round that the seller of my first J-frame was kind enough to offer with the revolver itself. Early on, the expansion of this water jug shot, out of that same 638 revolver, provided confidence in its reliable expansion.

Some time later, another round from this lot fired indoors in a relatively small room at a target about 7 yards away (when I forgot to don my hearing protection!) was just a surprise. No ear ringing or discomfort.

In other words, in a "real world environment" the target suffered and I did not. That sealed the deal for me.

.38 Special is good enough for me.

About once a week, I practice with a very similar round.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
What ever 110gr to 125gr JHP 357 I have on hand.