.38 Spl. vs 9mm for CC

[Arik]

I've been known to be blunt, so here goes. These comparisons are valuable for you, but meaningless for anyone else. This really is a test of your skill with each type of handgun, not a true comparison of .38 SPL vs. 9mm.

Just like the comparisons for the guy in the video are only valuable to him. He can shoot 38 better. It's his skill with each type of handgun. In other words...it's meaningless to anyone else

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[basbol130]

wow

I now carry with a Ruger LC9S Pro and in well over 1000 rounds downrange I have not had one single failure of any description. About the only thing that might be considered a "defect" is that the sights are regulated for 147 grain bullets so it does shoot low with the typical 115 grain range fodder. BTW, my carry ammo is Federal's excellent 147 grain HST with 7 in the magazine and one in the chamber. So I have 8 round of excellent SD ammo ready for immediate need and another 7 in a magazine holder behind my cell phone holder.

I'll also note my previous carry choice was a 40 caliber Sig Sauer P239 and that particular pistol now has over 5000 rounds down range without one single failure.

 

[rich5674]

Interesting video very relevant

I own a LC9s and a 360j. Almost excactly what was in the video. I think I shoot the LC9 better but the j frame good enough for 21 feet. What I use between the two guns depends mostly on how I'm carrying them and the ammo used.
I believe the host when he says most gunfights are settled in one or two rounds. Thats after the showing of a defensive arm doesnt stop the threat.
If I'm going into a gunfight, its going to be with the LC9 or a .45 with 8 rounds

 

[BE Mike]

Nothing new. Nothing is a 100% and everything is a trade off. However, for me, untill revolvers are made with big enough grips to comfortably hold and conceal they won't be a serious consideration for me. Just last week I did both semi auto and revolver side by side.

I hope I don't offend you by being blunt, but your tests speak more to the skill of the shooter than they do to the capabilities of the guns. Short distance "accuracy tests" don't tell me much either.

 

[forrestinmathews]

I hope I don't offend you by being blunt, but your tests speak more to the skill of the shooter than they do to the capabilities of the guns. Short distance "accuracy tests" don't tell me much either.

Personally, he had me giggling at Aguila ammunition in an accuracy test. Clearly he has limited skill with a revolver and is getting away with a lot with the semiauto. I'll take that model 10 and eat that 43's lunch. Oh well they aren't my guns and it isn't my test. Praise God.

 

[Walkingwolf]

I decided to compromise also, I carry what the heck I want, and watch the experts heads explode.

I like to tell people I carry a 22lr just to watch the mental gymnastics.

 

[digiroc]

Best of both Worlds ...

547 3" 9mm six shooter and 915 4" 17+1 capacity semi-auto:

Very close in size and weight the 547 and 915 are about the same to carry. Despite the three times the amount of ammo the 915 offers the 547 points and presents better and I favor that as first to fight, six rounds of 9mm +p's ought to be enough if accurately delivered.

9mm clearly puts more energy on target than .38's even +p's so I like it as a defensive round in a carry gun.

Of course the .357 trumps 9mm but muzzle blast and recoil make sustained fire much more difficult.

Firing .357 out of the AirLite PD was a one time affair for me as recoil made it both very painful and slow to sustain with any accuracy. The 340 Pro handles .357's better but I carry it with +p .38's.

Of course for me trying any revolver reload in a gunfight is a good way to get shot so anytime I carry a revolver I like a second gun for a NY reload. This is my usual choice for that:

The 3914DAO is small and light with an 8+1 9mm capacity. Makes a lot of sense as a carry gun whether back-up or primary. Just my opinion, as always YMMV.

digiroc

 

[Ballistic147]

I believe the revolver to be more reliable especially when considering the potential for muzzle contact that would jam an auto.

Valid point but.......in close quarters the bad guy could get a hand on your revolver at which point it would lock the cylinder rendering it useless. Try it sometime (with an unloaded gun of course). If you grab it at anywhere around the cylinder you can't pull it through and make the shot and it doesn't take a lot of grip strength to do. Knowing this in a reverse situation with a revolver in the bad guy's hand this could be to your advantage. With the semi you are more likely to at least get off 1 round.

Not advocating one is better than the other but just pointing out an often overlooked flaw of the revolver.

 

[forrestinmathews]

9mm clearly puts more energy on target than .38's even +p's so I like it as a defensive round in a carry gun.

Of course the .357 trumps 9mm but muzzle blast and recoil make sustained fire much more difficult.

I disagree. Special +P beats a 9mm. I like the recoil impulse of the .38 over the 9mm. So much softer. The R&D is being put into the 9mm, but I can load the Special hotter than a 9mm.

Valid point but.......in close quarters the bad guy could get a hand on your revolver at which point it would lock the cylinder rendering it useless. Try it sometime (with an unloaded gun of course). If you grab it at anywhere around the cylinder you can't pull it through and make the shot and it doesn't take a lot of grip strength to do. Knowing this in a reverse situation with a revolver in the bad guy's hand this could be to your advantage. With the semi you are more likely to at least get off 1 round.

Not advocating one is better than the other but just pointing out an often overlooked flaw of the revolver.

The late Louis Auerbuck one stated that once a revolver has a malfunction, it will likely take it out of the fight. That's true. However, there is a lot higher chance of success with the revolver given a simpler manual of arms and less complexity.

Funny thing is that apparently 9mm Revolvers are one of the worst offenders for having kinetic bullet pulling, a potentially show stopping malfunction.

 

[Walkingwolf]

I knew a detective that carried factory 38/44 in his model 36. The performance when he used it was outstanding, and it was a soft lead round nose. 38 spl can be loaded past SAAMI, as long as it is not a constant diet. IIRC 38/44 was around 25K pressure. 9mm is at it's limit at 35K which is about standard +P loads. The 38/44 throws a heavier bullet at the same or greater velocity. But we are talking about paper stats. Truth is most calibers can stop the threat with proper bullet placement.

 

[white cloud]

I am constantly amazed by how much energy goes into the caliber-revolver vs auto CCW debate. It seems to me that tactics, awareness and marksmanship are the most important things to get nailed down. Obsessing over equipment choices cuts down on the time one has to practice your draw or reloading skills. If I had a choice between the latest "whatever" and some more ammo to practice with, I would chose ammo. But then again I am old and probably getting soft in the head.

 

[Tanners Owner]

For me, it's less the caliber (9mm or 38 spl) than it is the platform. Have compact 9mms and revolvers that I am comfortable hitting where I aim. There are guns in either caliber that just don't work for me, given my carry style, adequate grips for my hands, and adequate sights for my eyes. If "man and machine" don't mate, then it's irrelevant what caliber it is.

I'm comfortable with either caliber for my self defense

 

[pittpa]

For me the issue is crystal clear. I prefer the snubby to any semi-auto for the obvious reason there are no failures to feed... ever.

Look up "bullet jump", which was a factor in my 9mm revolver Ammo selection. One particular round was most of the way out of the case after 4 rounds fired. It

could have easily pulled it right out.


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[forrestinmathews]

I am constantly amazed by how much energy goes into the caliber-revolver vs auto CCW debate. It seems to me that tactics, awareness and marksmanship are the most important things to get nailed down. Obsessing over equipment choices cuts down on the time one has to practice your draw or reloading skills. If I had a choice between the latest "whatever" and some more ammo to practice with, I would chose ammo. But then again I am old and probably getting soft in the head.

Practice a smooth draw that allows you to get on the sights and trigger quickly for a first round hit. This doesn't take a hundred years of constant practice. I have a variety of carry guns that are all very similar. The holsters are also very similar. 9mm is a seasonal choice for me as is .38. Reloading is a very polished skill of mine as is malfunction clearing.
Basically it's a forum and folks like to talk about things. If they don't then it's boring. When I get tired of the same old story I go out back and shoot a little. Then I come back and post my results for the educational​ benefit of the curious.

 

[forrestinmathews]

Look up "bullet jump", which was a factor in my 9mm revolver Ammo selection. One particular round was most of the way out of the case after 4 rounds fired. It

could have easily pulled it right out.


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To be fair, you're using a 9mm as an example. Not exactly a revolver cartridge. Valid information for the snubnosed shooters. I crimp the heck out of my 9mm in a revolver. Mine have to ride seven shots without pulling and i still get slight pulling in an N Frame 929.

 

[pittpa]

To be fair, you're using a 9mm as an example. Not exactly a revolver cartridge. Valid information for the snubnosed shooters..

That's what the owner of the Ammo company said. He also said they glue the bullets in 357 Sig, IIRC. But they won't do it for 9mm for revolvers due to the low demand.


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[growr]

This has been written about in every gun magazine (not clip) for over 50 years or more....seems like in every other issue...

Use what you are competent with and move on!

Randy

 

[forrestinmathews]

That's what the owner of the Ammo company said. He also said they glue the bullets in 357 Sig, IIRC. But they won't do it for 9mm for revolvers due to the low demand.


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And NO. They don't glue them. The taper crimp them because in a magazine fed gun they are down much lower in the weapon, below the reciprocation and not subject to the same torque as in a revolver.

 

[pittpa]

And NO. They don't glue them. The taper crimp them because....

How would you know this , not knowing the company and their process?
EDIT: I looked up the email. It was from Peter Pi, the president and CEO of Corbin/Glaser. Here is what he had to say, in response to my inquiry about bullet pull in a revolver-
"The 9mm cartridge is designed to head space on the case mouth. That means you cannot put a heavy crimp on the bullet to eliminate bullet pull. Actually the round is designed to eliminate bullet setback during feeding in an auto pistol. Revolver cartridges like the 38 Spec and 357 Mag headspace on the rim and you can put a heavy crimp on the case mouth to eliminate bullet pull. The only way this can be totally eliminated is to glue the bullet in place and we have to do this with the 357 Sig because it has a short neck and headspace on the case mouth and cannot use a crimp. As 9mm revolvers become more prevalent we may have to resort to glueing the bullets, but we are currently not doing it. "




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[Walkingwolf]

You should be able to use a 38 S&W roll crimp die to put a roll crimp an any 9mm round. I have not had a problem .40 S&W in a CA Pitbull, not sure why there would be a difference between the 9mm, and the 40.