[dbp95]

need some convincing
I currently range shoot and sometimes IDPA shoot a Ruger P95 with
great enjoyment/success.
I also shoot a Ruger Mk II or III 22/45 equip/w red dot for plinking/bullseye
shooting.
Now, I recently purchased a Taurus ultra-light/.38 for CCW and like
the way it conceals,handles and shoots.
Problem is, so does my wife, who has stated that she would be more
comfortable using this for her own personal/home defense.
So that puts me in the hunt for another CCW/home defense handgun.
I have been looking at the Ruger SP101 3" .357 or the Taurus 605 3" .357
and a Taurus 851/.38.

I know the .357 is a heck of a punch out of a 3", and of course I can use
.38 for practice.... .357 for self d.
But my question finally is what is the advantage of .357 self d. load vs.
.38spl+P load ? much at all ?

[The Lone Haranguer]

But my question finally is what is the advantage of .357 self d. load vs.
.38spl+P load ? much at all ?

The bullet will hit the target with more velocity and energy and make a bigger hole, but at the cost of nasty bark and bite, which may or may not affect your ability to hit the target in the first place. I prefer what I like to call "mild magnums" in these revolvers. These have more energy from the short barrels than .38 Spl, but without the thunderclap blast of full-power 125-grainers.