My prior post addressed "power" KE but bullet performance counts, a "powerful" bullet may fail to expand, not good.
Bullets that perform (expand) well from a 4'' barrel may not from a 2'' snub.
Thankfully Lucky Gunner has conducted tests that allow us to objectively compare.
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/
Not many 38 special bullets penetrate 12-18'' and consistently expand from a 2'' barrel, ammo selection is critical.
Two 38 special loads that meet criteria from a snub:
Hornady 110 FTX Critical Defense +P 13.1'' penetration / .48 (consistent expansion all 5 bullets tested)
Winchester 130 Ranger Bonded +P 13.8'' penetration / .60 (consistent expansion all 5 bullets)
Its much easier to get 357 Mag loads to meet criteria (12-18'' and consistent expansion) from a 2'' barrel.
Barnes Tac-XPD 14.2'' / .75 (impressive)
Corbon 110 gr. 13.8'' / .58
Several others.....
How about 9mm?
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
Barnes 115 Tac-XPD +P 13.4'' / .70 (impressive)
Federal 124 HST +P 18.3'' / .66
Corbon 115 +P 13.6'' / .56 (what is in mine and it works)
Several others....
Since several loads that meet penetration standards and consistently expand are available in 357 Mag and 9mm...
How about the guns?
Capacity- 7 rounds vs 5 (advantage 9mm)
Sights- (my PM9 has night sights, I suppose a revolver could too)
Speed of follow up shots - 9mm (357 Mag snub revolver doesn't inspire thoughts of quick & accurate follow up shots)
Ease of accuracy- advantage very likely to Kahr over DA revolver
Bullets that perform (expand) well from a 4'' barrel may not from a 2'' snub.
Thankfully Lucky Gunner has conducted tests that allow us to objectively compare.
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/
Not many 38 special bullets penetrate 12-18'' and consistently expand from a 2'' barrel, ammo selection is critical.
Two 38 special loads that meet criteria from a snub:
Hornady 110 FTX Critical Defense +P 13.1'' penetration / .48 (consistent expansion all 5 bullets tested)
Winchester 130 Ranger Bonded +P 13.8'' penetration / .60 (consistent expansion all 5 bullets)
Its much easier to get 357 Mag loads to meet criteria (12-18'' and consistent expansion) from a 2'' barrel.
Barnes Tac-XPD 14.2'' / .75 (impressive)
Corbon 110 gr. 13.8'' / .58
Several others.....
How about 9mm?
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
Barnes 115 Tac-XPD +P 13.4'' / .70 (impressive)
Federal 124 HST +P 18.3'' / .66
Corbon 115 +P 13.6'' / .56 (what is in mine and it works)
Several others....
Since several loads that meet penetration standards and consistently expand are available in 357 Mag and 9mm...
How about the guns?
Capacity- 7 rounds vs 5 (advantage 9mm)
Sights- (my PM9 has night sights, I suppose a revolver could too)
Speed of follow up shots - 9mm (357 Mag snub revolver doesn't inspire thoughts of quick & accurate follow up shots)
Ease of accuracy- advantage very likely to Kahr over DA revolver