After years of reloading .38 Special, and just recently spending more reloading time with 9mm; I've come to the conclusion that a 9mm is nothing more ,or less than a semiautomatic .38 Special. Same velocity +P or standard velocity with any given barrel length and equal weight bullets. .38 Special may edge out a 9mm with a 170 gr Keith type bullet but that load isn't readily available for those who don't reload. Love my revolvers don't get me wrong. But with the reliability of today's semiautomatic I may retire my wheel gun as a every day carry.
9mm / .38 Special
- Thread starter Luke Duke
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Welcome to the club. I switched to an LC9 (8 rounds) and then to a P365 (12 rounds) when I figured out the same thing - and that I could carry 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 times as many rounds in a package the same size and weight as a J-frame.
I still love my revolvers too, but they are pretty much relegated to range duty and woods carry these days.
I do have one 7-shot titanium 357 that I'll carry occasionally when I feel like I want something with higher per-round firepower.
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Many other people have come to the same conclusion. You often get a few more shots, an easier to conceal package and pretty much the same power out of the muzzle.
Why do you think that there were so many 9mm's in WW11 and so few 38's
unless you were a poor pilot that did not have a choice of weapon he was issued.
However ammo has gotten better since 1947............
and a 38 special, is almost doable, now?
unless you were a poor pilot that did not have a choice of weapon he was issued.
However ammo has gotten better since 1947............
and a 38 special, is almost doable, now?
DeplorabusUnum
Member
An assault pistol?
A lot of us question what load or ammo to use.
Just think about these two short phrases...........
Will it ?
It will !
Never doubt your SD ammo.
Just think about these two short phrases...........
Will it ?
It will !
Never doubt your SD ammo.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
You can always carry a 6 round snub nose M10 and a J frame as a BUG... 
In the lighter bullet weights (ex. 124/125 grain) the 9mm in comparable barrel lengths will have a 200-300 FPS edge over the .38 Special. Add some weight (147/158) and they are similar in velocity. This is for standard, not boutique loadings.
LOL, yeah, carry TWO guns to get 11 rounds, vs ONE with my P365 which carries 13. Makes sense to me... NOT!You can always carry a 6 round snub nose M10 and a J frame as a BUG...
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ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
You do know I was playing around, right?
scooter123
Member
From a reloading standpoint the 9mm and 38 special are very different. Look at the case length and think about what happens with the 38 special if it's loaded with a position sensitive powder such as SR7625. With a position sensitive powder you can see swings in velocity as much as 300 fps., all depending on if the barrel was pointing up or down prior to firing a shot.
I will also note that if you want to puch a 125 grain 38 special to 1100 fps. you will be loading in that grey area between 38 spl and 357 Magnum.
I will also note that if you want to puch a 125 grain 38 special to 1100 fps. you will be loading in that grey area between 38 spl and 357 Magnum.
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Phish
Member
Can't use snake loads in any semi auto so revolver still what I use in the field.
otis24
Member
The drastic price increase and limited availability of.38/.357 caused me to dump my 640 no dash.38, a grail gun. Strictly 9mm. If I buy another revolver it will be the new Ruger Blackhawk 10mm/.40 S&W.
Model19man
Member
The side that won that war was equipped with the 45 ACP. The 9MM was on the losing side.
Piwo
Member
The 9mm has certainly replaced the 38 as the volkspistol cartridge. Nonetheless, I don't reload for it. I really don't like getting on my knees to pick up the empty brass. Especially in the woods, snow, mud. I also find the 38 spl. brass easier to manipulate during the loading process. So, for me, the 9mm is more for business, The 38 more for relaxing range days. The practice ammo brass(or aluminum) for 9mm I leave to nature.
This thread could very well lead to the 9mm vs. 38 Special debate which has been talked about forever. Ballistics are similar for the defense rounds/bullet weight most carry. Round count always comes into play as well as concealability, which is what the main point of this thread is. Ammo availability always bounces back faster/cheaper with the 9mm.
So..., why in the world would anyone in their right mind choose a revolver in 38/357 (reloading helps) over a reliable 9mm semi-auto? Because that's what it is, a choice. Same reason one of my boys chooses to carry a G43X with 30 rounds of ammo and I choose a 686+ with, obviously, less ammo. I can shoot a revolver better and am more confident in it's use. I can, and do, occasionally carry the Shield 45 but most of the time it's the revolver. I've never felt under gunned because of it. If I am ever in a situation where I would need that many rounds then I'm not using my brain the way I should, IMHO.
It's all a choice, good thing we have them, for now!
So..., why in the world would anyone in their right mind choose a revolver in 38/357 (reloading helps) over a reliable 9mm semi-auto? Because that's what it is, a choice. Same reason one of my boys chooses to carry a G43X with 30 rounds of ammo and I choose a 686+ with, obviously, less ammo. I can shoot a revolver better and am more confident in it's use. I can, and do, occasionally carry the Shield 45 but most of the time it's the revolver. I've never felt under gunned because of it. If I am ever in a situation where I would need that many rounds then I'm not using my brain the way I should, IMHO.
It's all a choice, good thing we have them, for now!
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I thought we won because.............
we had more flame throwers than the other guys?
I suspected as much - though I know there are people so set in their ways that they might seriously attempt to make the argument that a "NY reload" as good or better than equal capacity in one gun.
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