357 Magnum versus 38 Special

[python]

I am a big fan of 45acp, especially in revolvers using moonclips. The clips make reloads much easier (and faster) than speedloaders. This S&W 625-2 makes a great primary home defense gun, backed up by a Sig P220. The manual of arms for a revolver is much simpler than any semi-auto pistol, especially for less experienced shooters. As far as the 357 vs. 38 special debate goes, I prefer 38 +P for controllability in a medium or large frame revolver,.

 

[jmiller320]

After refusing to get a Maryland Infringement License, (HQL) I broke down and went the previous registered route. Took two weeks and $102.00 for finger prints and application fee. Next was getting the designated collector. Took three weeks for that to come in. I purchased a Ruger SP101 .357, 5shot with a 2.25" barrel. Nice shooter.

 

[Bob A]

Do you all think everyone should own a revolver or is a semi automatic best? Trying to think about family members who may have trouble loading a semi automatic magazine.

What is everyone's thoughts on using a 357 Magnum or 38 Special for Defense and Target Practice? Which one would be considered better and why? Is there a huge difference in ammunition costs between the 357 Magnum and 38 Special?

I think I like both semi auto and revolvers.

Personally, I carry a semi auto, and semi auto has been the pistol of choice for home defense, though I've never had to use it.

That said, there's an excellent case to be made for revolvers, and many above have already made it. For new shooters, it would be good to try a number of guns of each type if possible, and go with what you find most comfortable.

For many, a revolver would be the default; simplicity of operation, which translates to fewer issues bringing it into action if the need arises, ease of operation, which takes into account the issues around working a slide and operating the controls.

If you have family members who may need to access the gun, and have little interest in extended training, again, the revolver shines.On the other hand, if you enjoy shooting and expect to visit the range with some frequency, a semi-auto might serve you better. It becomes a matter of personal choice.

The Massad Ayoub video is a must-watch. Just saying.

Regarding 38 special vs 357 magnum, I'd never consider using a magnum load for home defense. It's overkill in every aspect: too noisy, too much recoil, too inclined to over-penetrate, too hard to make followup shots. If you don't mind the size, and want to retain the option, by all means get a 357. If compactness and/or ease of carrying or concealment are issues, a 38 spl will serve. Be aware that the shorter the barrel, the harder it is to shoot accurately without practice, and the less pleasant extensive practice will be. There are nice 3" barrel 38 special revolvers that are a compromise worth consideration.

 

[LuckyShot]

.357 sig is 357mag ballistics in a semi auto platform per 1990's FBI requests. Glock and sig still support that round and possibly m&p

I carry a glock 32 with underwood 124gr. 13+1 (rated at 1480fps-605lb's of energy out of a full size)

 

[joppaj]

The manual of arms for a revolver is much simpler than any semi-auto pistol, especially for less experienced shooters

Until you have to reload... It's still simple to memorize, very challenging to do quickly.

 

[Magnumite]

If you look back at history one will notice we are at the end of a revolution phase.
- The cartridge revolver supplants (supercedes) the cap and ball revolver.
- The DA revolver supplants the SA revolver.
- 1990’s through the 2000’s the semi auto supplants the DA revolver.
In all era’s are samples of earlier era arms being sought out and used.

 

[Doco Overboard]

Interesting information/experience knowledge here.
Out of context but next rifle I build is probably going to be a 310 in 38 special.
But Oh yeah lighting a 357 off in the woods will make your ears ring from a particular perspective.
In a close in environment such as a home or vehicle doing so could be challenging for the user afterwards as an after thought.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Until you have to reload... It's still simple to memorize, very challenging to do quickly.

New York Reload


But seriously , if you're practiced up with speedloaders , you can overlap average semiauto people's reloading .

 

[Biggfoot44]

But Oh yeah lighting a 357 off in the woods will make your ears ring from a particular perspective.
In a close in environment such as a home or vehicle doing so could be challenging for the user afterwards as an after thought.

Everybody loves subcompact 9mm . In the modern era , the SAAMI pressure spec is same for std pressure 9x19 as for .357 Mag ( 35K psi) .

Then there was the time I touched off a round of 9mm +P+ inside my small barn ! Once ! . Afterwards , switched my barn gun to .45 Colt ( LC)

 

[davela]

Your neighborhood should employ a social worker. I hear that works better than guns or even police

 

[possumman]

I was thinking Ruger LCRx in .38 special at 16oz unloaded. Not with +p ammo:

Ruger LCRx 38 Special +P 3in Matte Black Revolver - 5 Rounds

Ruger LCRx 38 Special +P 3in Matte Black Revolver - 5 Rounds

www.sportsmans.com

I would be looking at something like this, which my wife or daughter could handle. Probably with that pink Hornady Load for ladies. Or wadcutters simply for the light recoil and penetration.

My wife and daughter are quite thin/weak physically.

I have a LCR in .38 and carry it a lot -disappears in a pocket holster or carried OWB behnnd your hip and weighs very little--yes it is a little snappy with +p hollowpoints but mild with wadcutters. When I carry it my wife generally has no idea--she notices the compact semi I use otherwise.

 

[linkstate]

…
With a revolver , all the movements and mechanical gyrations are directly controlled by the shooter . In airplane terms , revolver shooters are pilots;, semi shooters are passengers .

This makes sense to me. I would say though, as the young guns might say, running the gun (semi) is a mindset that closes the gap between a revolver and a semi-auto.

 

[lazarus]

Since we’re still beating this poor horse, a couple more points.

I’m not sure about the Ruger LCRs but it has been my experience that .22 revolvers have heavier trigger pulls than their center fire counterparts. If weight or strength is a concern as far as holding it up, a small lightweight DA revolver requires a good grip to not throw accuracy off with the heavier trigger pull. At in your grill distance, it probably doesn’t matter. It’s all a trade off.

One more point that I don’t think has been mentioned. This comes down to training and experience and all of that but the few new shooters I have taken to the range all seemed to prefer the medium framed .357 shooting .38s over a similar sized semi autos.

I think part of that is with a revolver, there is more of a feeling of being “behind” the gun. It seems to feel safer and more secure the way it recoils. With a semi auto, the moving slide and flying brass is a distraction. Now I’m no trainer and a good instructor can probably get people that are nervous, over that quickly. Also, it’s a simpler operation to make a revolver safe, swing open that cylinder and it’s clear it’s not going to fire. All other safety rules apply.

My smooth as butter S&W 27-2 is probably around 13# for the DA trigger pull. Maybe 3# for the SA pull. My Dan Wesson 44 is around 12# for the DA pull and about 2.5# for the SA pull. My Colt OP is something in the 14# range for DA pull (my pull gauge stops at 13 and it is just slightly more than that) and the SA pull is 4#. My Glocks are all right at 5# for trigger pull. All my other semiautomatics are hammer fired DA/SA guns except my Yugo 70, which is SA only. Most are 4-5# for SA pull and 10-13# for DA pull.

All of my SA/DA guns are significantly more accurate with SA trigger pulls even with me being used to a DA trigger pull. Rapid fire, the guns that can be fired SA are much more accurate than the DAs. I can rapidly put 5 rounds in a coffee can at 10yds easy with one of my Glocks firing about a round a second. Or my P1. Or my Cz82. Etc. DA revolver I'd have a hard time putting 5 rounds, 1 a second, into a pie plate at 10yds. My revolvers in SA and careful aiming are significantly more accurate than any of my semi-autos. Both off hand and from a rest. Some helps they are all 6+" barrels so it is a longer sight radius, even than my 6.6" barreled Glock 21L. But also higher inherent accuracy with the fixed barrel and some extra weight helping them be steadier off hand (and pretty good sights on my 27-2 and Dan Wesson). Not too important if you are talking self defense shooting. Fast accurate fire is the most important. And volume of fire/capacity is also very important.

 

[lazarus]

.357 sig is 357mag ballistics in a semi auto platform per 1990's FBI requests. Glock and sig still support that round and possibly m&p

I carry a glock 32 with underwood 124gr. 13+1 (rated at 1480fps-605lb's of energy out of a full size)

Better in many ways, as it is lower energy and shorter. Sure, it has the penetration of a 357, but for similar bullet weights, 357 clocks about 100-150fps slower for similar barrel lengths. It is more like in the middle between 9mm and 357 for ballistics. For roughly the same barrel length, a 357 125gr is going to be running around 1600fps.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

The basement is always the first choice for thugs as it is a major blind spot. Call me paranoid however, we lock up all our spare FOBs, keys in a safe. All except for the active vehicles which we always carry with us. I had our basement windows coated with a high-quality ballistic coating. You can throw a concrete block at then and the glass does not break.

Good Idea on the Ballistic coating, Harry's.

We once did a job in Bmore city near Charles and Cathedral. The job was in an alley and we pulled a welding/Torch truck up next to the building to cut off steel bar cages over the windows, installed plexi and then welded the bar cages back on. Our Plexi treatment was essentially to protect the glass from projectiles that could break the windows. The bars would keep thieves out.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

I ****** up on an auction and bought a Colt PP that I thought was 38 spl,, but was act 38 S&W. Nice piece, great blue, MOP grips.

Took it to the range with my>80 year old mom who was dead nuts accurate with it and loved the experience.

Mom did not care for my G19 or XDM 45 or 38 spl.

380, 32 acp, or 22 mag may be considerations.

Gotta match the hatch.

Go Mom-Tick

 

[traveller]

I purchased a Ruger SP101 .357, 5shot with a 2.25" barrel. Nice shooter.

Nice gun. Load it with .357. In close quarters, even if you miss, anything inside of 5ft in the general direction of the muzzle will be incinerated by the ball of fire that follows the round.

 

[TI-tick]

Go Mom-Tick

My mom is with the DOD School system; > 30 years now. In a conversation with some army general she related that range trip' experience. Helped develop a Good conversation with that general that Created a closer working relationship.

Thanks for the compliment.

Peace.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

My mom is with the DOD School system; > 30 years now. In a conversation with some army general she related that range trip' experience. Helped develop a Good conversation with that general that Created a closer working relationship.

Thanks for the compliment.

Peace.

Very Very good news.

Ti-tick.

I posted a youtube clip in the Stop involving politics in schools thread. Kind of the same vein as you mentioning a closer working relationship...

Anyway, She thanked me for my reply to her and I made a follow up. Here is a screen shot of her post and mine and one of a person who supposedly was a victim of racism.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Here is the clip and my subsequent follow up message to her.