J-Frame Carry Round....38-special or 9mm and Why?
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On False Economy
Somewhere in this thread somebody if not the original poster stated the a availability of cheaper 9mm. And I've heard it before. If not that, and the commonality with a semi why would you want a 9mm revolver when 38+p is adequate and 357 is more powerful? I've already stated my distaste for speedloaders, bulky to stash and delicate.
Somewhere in this thread somebody if not the original poster stated the a availability of cheaper 9mm. And I've heard it before. If not that, and the commonality with a semi why would you want a 9mm revolver when 38+p is adequate and 357 is more powerful? I've already stated my distaste for speedloaders, bulky to stash and delicate.
I didn't care much for the .38 years ago but now I have more than I need.
Some just can't be beat for a carry gun (642/442/640,etc) and the .38 is a reloaders dream.
As to performance? About the same to me. Just a matter of preference.
Revolver? .38
Some just can't be beat for a carry gun (642/442/640,etc) and the .38 is a reloaders dream.
As to performance? About the same to me. Just a matter of preference.
Revolver? .38
All these threads sort of lump together, so I've definitely posted my view before… somewhere.
Ammo commonality was part the reason why I converted. 9mm, .45, .38, and .380 is a lot of different loads to have on hand… even worse with the current times. Being issued a 9mm (Glock 19 MOS) makes it more appealing to stick with the round as much as possible. I have the 642-1, P938, and the LCP (I kept the .380, being you cannot match the size in a 9mm). My .45 was a Glock 30S… but I'll just toss on the identical sized duty gun if I wanted to run that (biggest issue is my port not allowing us to use weapon lights, being I'm not going to pull it off when working… not to mention, I want it common across the board/training). But in today's world, all ammo is expensive. If someone really wants cheap ammo… .22 LR or bust.
Chronographing does give you a perspective that does make the case for 9mm. Comparing the two carry loads I used, I was getting pretty much identical velocity… but my 9mm was 147 grain and the .38 +P was 110 grain. I get that some people don't look at energy numbers… but worked out to about 35% increase in energy. Me, personally… heavier round is superior when other things are equal. A person may not notice the difference, but the glass or whatever other thing the bullet is going thru prior to hitting the threat may very well notice it.
Speedloaders or whatever method of reload you use verses moonclips is going to be personal preference. People will argue their view until the end of time. For me, I shaved a noticeable amount of time off my reload compared to HKS. I like them, and partly the reason I invested in 1917 revolvers (had my C&R for about three years, and just renewed). If I manage to cause a failure with them, I'll definitely review it… but again, I'm using the same 5 over the past few years of carry (I shoot my carry ammo yearly, and then usually will practice with the same clips… either the same range session or unload and reload my practice ammo on them). Take care of your gear, and it usually will take care of you.
But another thing I've never heard brought up, yet it is apparent whenever you look at the rounds side-by-side… is OAL. How many here have shot a cylinder of .38/.357, and had a case or two hang up? Maybe that one round catches between the cylinder and the grip. More so with the Magnums, but the ejector rod on small revolvers isn't that long when you compare to either of the common revolver rounds. Fired 9mm, granted on a moonclip, clears the cylinder on ejection with plenty of room to spare. Likewise, a loaded moonclip can be easily ejected, as the tops of the rounds (at least my 147 grain Hornady XTP and 115 UMC bulk; latter is "affordable" practice ammo) clear the cylinder when the rod is depressed.
To be honest, I really could not care less if people agree with my firearm choices. Hopefully that doesn't come off as condescending, being I really do mean it as such. I carry what I feel works for me, and that is my main decision method with any changes to my carry gear. If I see something different, I'll research it… and if it seems positive, I'll give it a shot.
I used to always run my duty gun reloads on my weak side, vertically… until I asked an FTO if he liked them on the strong side, horizontal. Switched a week prior to qualifications, practiced with them during that time, and liked it when I started doing reload drills prior to the qualification. I have classmates that say it is stupid, and should only be done during ceremonies (our Class 1 uniform is supposed to be worn that way… but outside of the academy, nobody brings it up if you at least have the pouch).
Again, I'm not telling people that X is better than Y, just what I've tried. My posts, take it for exactly what you paid for it. But I did do a little bit of testing, research, and waste of money to get where I'm at. I think I posted it on here (Tapatalk isn't too fun to search stuff), but you can find a thread I made about different methods of 9mm moonclip carry. I think I tried three or four specific carry methods… and gave the pros/cons of them. I hope that someone may have took a look, maybe saving some money and going with a better decision. But in the end, I've done enough research into 9mm J-frames that I'm confident enough in what I got.
And to be crystal clear… no animosity intended towards any member, especially rich5674. Just was the perfect quote to transition into my long winded post. [emoji6]
Unloaded, with the light/laser… 15.5 ounces.
I had both a 9mm LCR and a 9mm SP101. I also had a Brazlian return 1937 in .45ACP. All were good shooters, and I loved the ammo commonality (back when cheap 9mm or .45ACP was a thing...). I was concerned about the ammo jumping crimp, but it never did (only had that happen with factory 45 long colt and .357 in lightweight guns for the calibers).
Eventually the real issue was how absolutely annoying moon clips are. Loading, unloading, and carrying them. I kept wishing I could just dump loose rounds in and go rather than messing with inevitably catching a knuckle or something on a sharp piece of clip or brass, or just wasting the time. The answer to that, as it turns out, is just to use rimmed calibers and be done with it. If .45 auto rim, or a 9mm equivalent, was still readily available then I'd love to stick with one. I find 9mm to be a superior caliber in most applications, but it's not that much better than .38SPL, and in the case of revolvers I guess sometimes we gotta dance with the girl that brung ya.
Eventually the real issue was how absolutely annoying moon clips are. Loading, unloading, and carrying them. I kept wishing I could just dump loose rounds in and go rather than messing with inevitably catching a knuckle or something on a sharp piece of clip or brass, or just wasting the time. The answer to that, as it turns out, is just to use rimmed calibers and be done with it. If .45 auto rim, or a 9mm equivalent, was still readily available then I'd love to stick with one. I find 9mm to be a superior caliber in most applications, but it's not that much better than .38SPL, and in the case of revolvers I guess sometimes we gotta dance with the girl that brung ya.
JWintergreen
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I also like that about the Safariland Comp I/II speedloaders. They have proven themselves to be very durable over the last several decades, and were popular in law enforcement during the last stretch of the revolver era. They have given me great service, and it is hard to go back to a "twist" style loader after becoming accustomed to them. For me, a "push" style speedloader is more user friendly than moonclips. I also prefer the .38 Special cartridge over the 9mm.
As with many things, this is a personal preference and someone elses' mileage may vary.
As with many things, this is a personal preference and someone elses' mileage may vary.
I'm too old and this thread is too long for me to re-read it, so excuse me if this has been said already. I think OP should ask himself if he shoots a lot. My carry gun is usually dirty because I just shot it that day or the day before.
Carry what you shoot, if you can.
Carry what you shoot, if you can.
As a slight aside, I fired my 9mm airweight 637-2 J-frame today for the first time since I replaced the Altamont Combat grips with my old Herrett Shooting Stars - and also the first time since my eye surgery last week. It sure is nice to be able to see the front sight again - I'd almost forgotten it had one. Recoil with 147 gr 9mm and the Shooting Stars is still a bit painful, but nothing like the sharp whacking thumb pain of the Altamonts.
I'm very rusty. Shooting one handed at 45 feet, I slung one round 6 inches high. Hope the ability to get a decent group eventually comes back to me, but I'm not terribly optimistic...
I'm very rusty. Shooting one handed at 45 feet, I slung one round 6 inches high. Hope the ability to get a decent group eventually comes back to me, but I'm not terribly optimistic...
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How do you carry loaded moon clips?
I have 3 J frames. If I could find them, I would carry extra ammo in speed strips. I had a 625(45 acp) and found the moon clips bulky to carry in a pocket and bendable. How would you carry loaded moon clips?
I have 3 J frames. If I could find them, I would carry extra ammo in speed strips. I had a 625(45 acp) and found the moon clips bulky to carry in a pocket and bendable. How would you carry loaded moon clips?
I use Buffalo Bore 150gr 38 special standard pressure wadcutters in my 642, there's been much written about 38 special hollow points not expanded when fired through snub nosed revolvers and the wadcutter and even the semi wadcutter hollow points are also a round I'll use , Buffalo Bore and Remington ar my preferred rounds. Another round I have no experience with is Speers Short barrel 135gr plus p JHP , it was designed after the NYPD approached Speer to make a reliably expanding hollow point specifically for snub nose revolver because a good majority of NYPD *** still carry J frames off duty.
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Half-moon clips were a less bulky alternative with the 1917s, but I guess it would be hard to clip 2.5 rounds of 9mm.
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