The ballistics numbers simply don't lie, 357 Magnum loads are high velocity and will have considerably more recoil than a 38 Special.
Does a 38 have a lot of recoil?
For example, a 38 Special has roughly twice the recoil of a 380 ACP i.e. 1.39 X 2 = 2.78. Again this assumes guns of equal weight at 40 ounces.
What is the difference between a 357 and 38?
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.
Why is the 38 Special called special?
357 inches (36 caliber/9.07 mm), with the ". 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 .
Is it OK to shoot 38 in a 357?
No; . 357 Magnum was specifically designed so it cannot be fired from handguns chambered in . 38 Special, but you can shoot . 38 Special in a gun chambered in .
40 related questions foundDoes a 38 kick more than a 9mm?
38mm Special offers low recoil when compared to the 9mm Luger. Bothe these cartridges have lesser recoil as compared to other cartridges like . 40 S&W. This video compares the recoil of common handguns including the 22LR, .
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 handgun has the least amount of kick?
Best Concealed Carry Guns With Little Recoil
- The Ruger LC380 Semi-Auto Pistol is a concealed carry weapon engineered for success. ...
- The Kel-Tec PMR-30 . ...
- Rock Island Armory spent three years to create a unique low recoil handgun. ...
- The Smith & Wesson Model 60 controls recoil while you control a lethal threat.
Is a 357 more powerful than a 9mm?
The 357 Magnum round loaded with a 125-grain projectile reaches almost 1,500 feet per second and strikes targets with 585 foot-pounds of energy. Needless to say, ballistically, it outperforms the 9mm. The 357 Magnum also has no problems reaching the FBI standards and even exceeding them.
What is the difference between .38 and .38 Special?
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.
Why are 38 and 357 the same?
38 caliber bullet features a smaller . 357" diameter base that is inserted in the cartridge, with a wider . 38" bearing surface to fit the bore. This way, the dimensional relationship could remain the same as it did for a cap and ball revolver.
Why is 38 Special so weak?
38 Special is weak because of black powder per se. We are only including these historical tidbits to attempt to explain how the 9mm, despite having a smaller case, can handle higher pressures than the . 38 Special.
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.
Is .380 the same as 38 Special?
38 special is designed for use in revolvers and the . 380 ACP is used in semi-auto pistols.
What's the difference between a 38 Special and 380?
The main difference between 38 and 380 is that The 38 caliber has a bigger cartridge, but the bullet diameter is nearly the same. However, the carrying capacity is not the same. In most cases, a six-round revolver is used to load the 38. With certain weapons, the 380's may carry anywhere from 6 to 12 rounds.
Are 9mm and 38 Special the same?
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.
What is the difference between .38 Long Colt and .38 Special?
The original .38 SC and .38 LC differ in case length, bullet diameter, weight, and design and are not interchangeable; however, modern production .38 SC ammunition is now loaded with a smaller, internally-lubricated bullet which can be fired from firearms chambered in .38 LC or .38 Special.
What is the best grain bullet for a 357 Magnum?
357 Magnum to. For the most part, the 110 to 125-grain JHP bullets are best. At 1,300 to 1,440 fps, these bullets expand quickly, fragment and produce an effective wound channel. The Hornady Critical Defense at 1,380 fps doesn't fragment and produces an impressive balance of expansion and penetration.
Can 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. Wayne Bosowicz carried a Colt Python . 357 Magnum revolver for years as his bear gun.
What is a 357 Magnum good for?
The . 357 Magnum is renowned as an accurate cartridge. So much so it is popular with silhouette shooters who reach out to 100 yards, or more, to knock down small steel targets. It is more than accurate enough for close-quarters battle and hunting at reasonable ranges.
What gun is called a Saturday night special?
The Roehm, model RG14 handgun is no stranger to American soil. The revolver is one of the best known handguns in the country, said gun experts and police. It is best known as a Saturday Night Special -- the type of handgun that Congress thought it was getting rid of when it passed the national Gun Control Act of 1968.
What bullet has the most stopping power?
40 round, which supposedly combines the best features of the . 45 ACP and the 9mm. However, others say that the lowly . 22 LR has the best stopping power, since it stays in the target's body and bounces around, shredding arteries and punching holes in internal organs.