.38 +p vs. 9mm +p
We've had some good discussions pertaining to the better CCW piece, auto or wheelgun, but I don't recall ever hitting this topic...
Which is the more "potent" round....
.38+p or 9mm+p
Which is the more "potent" round....
.38+p or 9mm+p
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a quick look at the reloaing manuals will sure tell ya. 0 -
It depends alot on the weight of the bullets being used. Both calibers at +P velocities are very similar. 9mm can be had in 115gr, 124gr, 147gr etc. .38's in 125gr, 158gr etc.
The heavier bullets usually will be the more "potent" due to their increased weight, thus energy. Bullet design will effect potency. A good expanding hollow point will be better than a FMJ bullet.
A compact auto will carry more ammo than a small revolver of about the same size. I have a Colt Cobra .38 that holds 6 shots. My Glock 26 in 9mm holds 11 shots.0 -
Depends on the load.
But ceterus paribus, I'd say it doesn't really matter. The famous Marshall & Sanow incapacitation charts have been debunked for years now.
Shoot him once in the head or twice in center-mass and you'll have done all you can, I guess.0 -
Whichever one will launch a bullet of the same weight faster. Simple as that. 0 -
Part of the time the assault of your person will begin after the shooting, when "they" begin to second-guess your response. Dead is dead, so your aim will decide if either of the choices has the desired results.
Recently [last week?], an armored guard shot an assailant twice after being attacked with mace.
The police quickly went on record challenging the use of deadly force, remarking that the bullet could have struck one of their own, instead of the attacker. It doesn't take much reasoning to consider what that agency thinks of the possession of weapons by civilians.
Self-protection is a two-edged sword, striking the assailant with the down-stroke, and often, the victim at the cease of hostilities.0 -
.38 Special.
D.0 -
9mm +P is more powerful than a 38+P, given the same barrel lengths. The legal hunting power level here in VA is 350 FTLBS of energy and the caliber must be over .23. The 9mm+P is well past that, the 38+P just barely makes it. I know two older gentlemen that use 9mm Camp Carbines to hunt deer with, within 50 yards. They both have had shoulder replacements and can't take any recoil. The 9mm +P works well for VA deer within 50 yards. I would take it over the 38+P for CCW any day.
Here are some numbers off of Corbon's website:
9 MM LUGER+P 125 GR. JHP 1250FPS/434FTLBS 4.0" barrel
38 SPEC +P 125 GR. JHP 1125FPS/351FTLBS 4.0" barrel0 -
not even close or debatable, the answer is 9mm.
And, also, the 115 to 124 gr are the better stoppers. the 147gr is the reason why the 9mm has a repuation for being "weak" (ie FBI miami shootout). look up nunn's excellent post on the subject.0 -
9mm 115 grain is the best that I have seen. 0
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