You cannot will that which is false into being true on the basis of your “preferred platform”.
Says who? You? Why do you assume anyone cares about the criteria you feel applies especially when you didn't even start the thread? If a person prefers revolvers or refuses to use semiautos, then the superior cartridge for them is the 38 Special. Yes, I acknowledge that introduces a non ballistic attribute to the discussion, but that doesn't invalidate that preference or the relevance because you said so.
You have totally misrepresented the relative attributes of .38 Special, .38 Special +P, .357 Magnum, and 9 mm.
In what way exactly? Besides I already acknowledged in an earlier post that 9mm has the edge ballistically so where exactly did I say or even imply that 38 Special is superior when talking pure ballistics.
9mm will pass FBI protocols and has greater velocity, which will gain you flatter trajectory and very likely greater range. In a typical self defense situation against a person, I agree 9mm performs better based on tests.
However, some of us spend significant time in the woods. Glancing in one manual only, I have load data that will send a 170 gr bullet downrange at over 900 fps at standard pressures. I don't have a YouTube video for you to watch comparing that load to a 9mm, but if I'm dealing with an animal that is larger or built more heavily than a human, I want the heavy bullet that will track straighter and deeper than a 124 or 147 gr 9mm. Or heck they may even be close in penetration, but that's my point. Application matters.
It just keeps going back to nostalgia.
Well it doesn't for me. All my 38 cal revolvers are 357 magnums. I bought 38s back in the day because the ammo shortages meant I could get my hands on those and not 357s. I don't use them for self defense, but in the right setting I would if I want a heavy bullet.
I get that you like .38 Special. That doesn’t make it equivalent to .44 Magnum. Extreme example, but just as the numbers show that, they also show that it doesn’t make it equivalent to 9 mm.
No kidding. And again, that's the point. They are two different cartridges that have different applications in today's world. I'm saying they are NOT equivalent as you can load them differently to fill different niches.
Consider the fact that not everyone's activities fit into your narrow definitions of what the application of a given cartridge has to be. Considering what two similar weight bullets are capable of from two different cartridges is important and clearly the 9mm in that criteria wins. But when you move away from similar bullet weights things change. To ignore that limits the discussion and imposes arbitrary restrictions.
There's a reason people consider these things as it's not as clear cut as saying one is better, and it's not about being right. It's about acknowledging the differences and choosing one based on your needs.