.38 Special +P

[neomedic]

How does this round compare to a 9mm in terms of ballistics. Don't know much about this round. Shot a friend's revolver and was thinking maybe I should pick one up for plinking.

Would you trust this round for self defense? Or just use for plinking?

Thanks.

[billybob_jcv]

Why would you shoot a +P round for plinking? I want less power when plinking, not more - but, I've never liked recoil...

Why not just buy a .357 Mag revolver, then you can shoot anything from light mouse fart .38s to planet buster .357s.

[neomedic]

Only .38 and not 357 because my friend wants to sell his S&W 438. He needs some cash and wants to sell at about $100 less than is being sold at stores.

So...if I get it, want to know if I can use it for self defense if I really need to. Or would this just be a range toy.

[Turo]

How does this round compare to a 9mm in terms of ballistics. Don't know much about this round. Shot a friend's revolver and was thinking maybe I should pick one up for plinking.

Would you trust this round for self defense? Or just use for plinking?

Thanks.

Compared to a 9mm, a 38 special +P throws lead at lower velocities (think 800 to 1000 fps vs 1200 to 1400 for 9mm) but often uses heavier bullets (158gr vs 115 and 147gr for 9mm.)

On average, 9mm is superior energy-wise because it goes a heck of a lot faster, but that's not to discount the ability of the 38 special.

I agree with the other posters though, if you're going to get a wheel gun, get one chambered in 357 mag and load 38 specials in it when you want less recoil and/or cost.

Oh and just for comparison, 357 mag kicks 9mm butt ballistically.

Just saw your last post about 38 +P only. Yes, 38 special is a good round for self defense. It's carried by thousands daily and has worked for defense for over a hundred years. It's not what I would prefer, but in lieu of a semi-auto in 40 or 9mm, I would gladly carry a 38 +P for personal defense.

[sk8804]

If you practice enough some gold dot .38 +p will be plenty to get the job done.

[Paradiddle]

38s been killing people for a LONG time in this country. The old 38 loads were much hotter then todays and are probably closer to 38+p. I'd have no reservation relying on one to save my families or my life.

[Fishslayer]

125gr JHP @ 1,000+ FPS is gonna leave a mark...

[Turo]

38s been killing people for a LONG time in this country. The old 38 loads were much hotter then todays and are probably closer to 38+p. I'd have no reservation relying on one to save my families or my life.

I don't have anything else to say about the OP's topic, but I wanted to say that your user name is awesome! It seems like nobody nowadays knows anything about percussion technique.

right left right right, left right left left.... Dangit, now I need to get my sticks and practice LOL.

[Brass Pile]

.38 spl+P is an acceptable SD round, but there are certainly better options out there. If your buddy is off-loading a quality S&W at low cost and you can pick it up, do so. Shoot the gun a lot, become familiar with it and enjoy it. But don't let it be your end all gun. By which I mean, if you want a fun plinking gun, get a .22; they don't cost much compared to their centerfire counterparts. Or even use the .38spl to plink while looking for something more substantial for SD/HD.

[neomedic]

Hmmm....maybe I should pick up the revolver then since the round is acceptable to self defense.

Wasn't really thinking about getting one. But the price is pretty good. I guess it would make a nice pocket gun.

[Bruce]

As the owner of a 438, I'd recommend you practice with standard loads and not +P rounds. Being an airweight, you will be quickly dissuaded from plinking if you use +P's. If you decide to buy your friend's piece, you'll have quality self defense handgun.

[ap3572001]

I use a Hydra Shock 147+P+ in my K frame revolvers.

[Marlin Hunter]

How does this round compare to a 9mm in terms of ballistics. Don't know much about this round. Shot a friend's revolver and was thinking maybe I should pick one up for plinking.

Would you trust this round for self defense? Or just use for plinking?

Thanks.

A 9mm has more power. If you are plinking, you may want wad cutters which are loaded lighter than regular 38 special rounds. The 38+p was designed to give small 38 (only) revolvers a little more umph. Now, people just get a 357mag if they want more power.

If you only buy new ammo, and don't reload your own, the cheapest caliber for plinking is either the 22LR or 9mm.

[vmwerks]

How does this round compare to a 9mm in terms of ballistics. Don't know much about this round. Shot a friend's revolver and was thinking maybe I should pick one up for plinking.

Would you trust this round for self defense? Or just use for plinking?

Thanks.

Learn how to shoot defensively - place you shots correctly and it'll stop as good as anything else. Use Hornady Critical defense ammo for SD. You should always shoot your SD rounds at least once in a while so it won't surprise you over your plinking rounds.

I put about 50 to 100 rounds through my carry gun every week. It's a 9mm and I've got no worries about stopping someone or something. My backup carry is a 637 with Critical Defense SD ammo.

[neomedic]

A 9mm has more power. If you are plinking, you may want wad cutters which are loaded lighter than regular 38 special rounds. The 38+p was designed to give small 38 (only) revolvers a little more umph. Now, people just get a 357mag if they want more power.

If you only buy new ammo, and don't reload your own, the cheapest caliber for plinking is either the 22LR or 9mm.

I will use lighter loads for plinking. I was just wondering if the .38+P was a good self defense round because I never looked into it since I never thought of getting one. But a friend wants to get rid of his little revolver and gave me first crack at it so it got me thinking.

The question originally was not that I'm going to use .38+P for plinking but if it was a good self defense round or is that round only good for plinking since people won't trust it as a self defense round.

But from the replies, it looks like it can be a viable option and this little revolver would make a good pocket gun.