Both bullets are equal in bullet diameter, the 9mm case is about 3/8 of an inch shorter than the . 38 Special but boasts double the pressure.
Is a 9mm or 38 more powerful?
Standard pressure . 38 Special only produces 264 foot-pounds of force (147-grain bullet at 900 feet per second out of a 4-inch barrel), while standard pressure 9mm can produce 365 foot-pounds of force (124-grain bullet at 1,150 feet per second). This is 38.25% more energy at the muzzle in favor of the 9mm.
Is a 38 caliber the same as a 9mm?
38, . 357, . 380 auto and 9mm ammunition are all the same caliber. (Caliber is the size of the projectile, or bullet.)
Why is 9mm stronger than 38 special?
The 9mm is ballistically superior to the . … 38 Special only produces 264 foot-pounds of force (147-grain bullet at 900 feet per second out of a 4-inch barrel), while standard pressure 9mm can produce 365 foot-pounds of force (124-grain bullet at 1,150 feet per second).
Is 38 and 38 Special the same?
The main difference between 38 and 38 special is that 38 is a caliber, i.e. the internal diameter of a gun barrel, and is usually used to refer to all cartridge variants that can be used in it, while 38 Special is a special cartridge variant of 38 caliber bullet.
32 related questions foundWhy is it called 38 caliber?
38" referring to the approximate diameter of the loaded brass case. This came about because the original 38-caliber cartridge, the . 38 Short Colt, was designed for use in converted .
Can you use 9mm bullets in a 38?
Accuracy wont be olympic level, but it works just fine. When loading 38 Special bullets (. 357 diameter) in a 9mm you just have to back off a few tenths of powder and they shoot just fine.
Is .357 bigger than 9mm?
357 Mag case is a little over half an inch longer than the 9mm and the overall length slightly less than half an inch. This increase in length allows the . 357 Mag to hold a greater amount of powder to launch a similar caliber bullet.
Is a .38 good for self-defense?
Is 38 Special A Good Self Defense Round? The gist of . 38 Special is that it's a medium bullet at medium velocity. It can be effective for personal defense but ammunition selection (and placement!) is important, especially if your gun has a shorter barrel length.
What caliber is an AR 15?
The AR-15 is nominally chambered in . 223/5.56mm NATO, but many variants have been produced in different calibers such as . 22-LR, 7.62×39mm, 9×19mm Parabellum and shotgun calibers. Some of these firearms chambered in smaller calibers such as 9mm or .
What caliber is a 9mm?
What Caliber is 9mm? 9mm bullets are . 380 caliber. Caliber refers to the diameter of the cartridge / internal diameter of the gun barrel bore.
Will a 38 Special stop an attacker?
Many so called "perfect defense calibers" have disappeared over time. Well, with the right loads the . 38 Special will still stop a fight in a hurry. Even the vintage Remington police cartridges pictured above would put an aggressor down with a good shot.
What is the best 38 caliber handgun?
38 Special Pistol. 7 Best . 38 Special Revolvers For CCW [2022]
- Model 638 Smith and Wesson 38 Special Revolver. ...
- Charter Arms Undercover 38 Special Gun. ...
- Smith and Wesson Model 10: The First 38 Special Revolver. ...
- LCR Ruger 38 Special Revolver. ...
- S&W M&P Bodyguard 38 Special Revolver With Laser.
Can I use 38 rounds in a 357?
Of course, recoil is also nearly double as well. But here's the deal: Because the two rounds are loaded with bullets that are the same diameters, but the 357 Magnum merely has a longer case and more powder, the 38 Special cartridge can be safely fired in guns marked 357 Magnum, but not vice-versa.
What is the largest caliber handgun?
The Pfeifer-Zeliska . 600 Nitro Express Revolver is the largest caliber handgun in the world, and the most powerful.
Will a 357 stop a bear?
357 Magnum or other similar-caliber load, a well-placed shot with a good bullet will certainly kill a bear, but it's not recommended.
What size bullets does a 38 Special use?
The . 38 Special fires a . 357-caliber bullet and is loaded to an industry-standard maximum average pressure (MAP) of 17,000 psi. Loads designated as +P are available at 20,000 psi, but not all .
Is 38 Special a gun?
38 Special is still popular, particularly among those who prefer the simplicity and aesthetic of revolvers. It is inexpensive and available in a wide variety of configurations, from regular ball ammo to hollow points to high pressure +P rounds. Here are five of the best guns you can shoot .
What is the difference between .38 Special and .38 Smith and Wesson?
The larger case diameter of the 38 S&W will prevent it being inserted in a 38 Special firearm. Being the 38 Special is smaller it will fit into a gun chambered for 38 S&W but being smaller and higher pressure the case may rupture.
What handgun does the Navy SEALs use?
Once reserved only for an elite few, the MK25 delivers the advanced features that made the P226 the official sidearm of the U.S. Navy SEALs.
Is a pistol or revolver better?
In the revolver vs pistol debate, the primary advantage of the pistol is capacity. Most revolvers have a cartridge capacity of between five and seven rounds. Some wheelguns have cylinders holding eight or nine rounds, but these are comparatively uncommon.
Is a snub nose 38 good for self-defense?
38 Special is most commonly used in short-barreled 'snub nose' revolvers such as the Ruger LCR and Smith & Wesson J-Frame. These revolvers are purpose-made for concealed carry and have features that make them ideal for self-defense.