.357 vs .38+P

[Bobbio42]

Hey there,

New here, got a question if anyone's got the time. Thinking about buying a concealed carry gun, considering a Taurus 617 in titanium. 7 round, about 20 ounces. I know it would kick like a son of a gun in .357 or +Ps for that matter. But I wouldn't be buying it for pleasure shooting, I have other pistols for that. I want something potent, small, and light for personal defense while bowhunting or strolling concrete jungles. My question is, how much more energy does the .357 have over 38+ps with a 2" barrel, bullet weights being equal? Thanks.

 

[bakert]

The .357 is way more powerful in any barrel length than the .38 Sp and like you noted those little guns in .357 kick HARD!! To be honest, the very light weight guns in .38 are little bears too. They're not target or fun guns but great for concealed carry. I carry a steel frame Taurus 85 at times and think the 617 loaded with +P.38s might be even a better combination. Many may disagree with me but I think the heavier Ruger SP 101 would be the lightest small gun in .357 I would consider for my own use.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I don't want to come across as too negative, but as I see it, when the chips are down you have two choices with these ultra-light weights. You can miss because you don't practice, or you can miss because you've developed flinchitis from practicing with it.

In .357, the minimum I'd carry is the SP 101 (preferably with a 3-inch barrel.) Even in .38 special, I stick with a steel gun.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

The all steel S&W Model 60 isn't too bad if you pick the right loads for it. I agree with Vern, in general though. The Remington Golden Saber 125g JHP is a very mild 357 load that doesn't kick too bad in the Model 60. But anything hotter than that is just too much (for me anyway).

 

[Cousin Mike]

38spl +P vs. .357 Magnum?

.357 Magnum...

That's 'bout all there is to it...

You'll definitely feel it in a 20 oz. gun, but as you said, .38SPL+P isn't going to feel like a .22 either. If I have to deal with significant recoil, I'd at least like to be using the more powerful round. If you're that concerned about recoil maybe you should look into something ported, but if you're a healthy adult, .357 Mag shouldn't give you that many problems with practice.

You can miss because you don't practice, or you can miss because you've developed flinchitis

There is a lot of truth to this statement... Flinchitis is beatable, though...
With lot's of practice, and a healthy attitude (it's not the gun... it's not your sights... it's YOU - keep practicing) - you can learn how to shoot a larger caliber properly.

Welcome to THR!

 

[Bobbio42]

Thanks for the replies, gentlemen! One more question, if you will...What do you think about practicing with the .38s, but loading the snubby with .357s for the real deal? My thought is, in the heat of the moment, might adrenaline take over and possibly overshadow felt recoil somewhat? From personal experience, I've never remembered significant recoil taking game with my .300 Win. Mag, but yes, I feel it shooting from the bench. And thanks for not beating up on me for stupid questions.

 

[miko]

Get that gun. Practice with mild 38s for a while. Then practice some with 357s. Do not try to shoot 357s until you are comfortable and good with 38 in that pistol - also, dry-fire it a whole lot.

After a while you will know whether you are subject to "flinchitis", whether your 38 skills transfer to 357, whether your accuracy with 357 suffers unacceptably or at all.

Those and other considerations are extremely specific to an individual, so no amount of advice will help you decide. At worst, you will change your plans accordingly. At best, you will have a powerfull round in a reasonable package.

miko

 

[MCgunner]

Many may disagree with me but I think the heavier Ruger SP 101 would be the lightest small gun in .357 I would consider for my own use.

In .357, the minimum I'd carry is the SP 101 (preferably with a 3-inch barrel.) Even in .38 special, I stick with a steel gun.

That pretty much says it for me, though I don't have a problem shooting my 15 ounce M85UL with +Ps. I don't fire 100 round sessions with +P, though. I limit 'em in that gun, but it's not that rough on the hand. OTOH, I'd rather have the 3" SP101 carried IWB for the magnum.

The +P 9x19 out of a 3" subcompact autochucker is pretty much a match to the lighter bullet loads of the .357 out of a 2" gun. My 14 ounce P11 Kel Tec is FAR more pleasant to shoot, quicker to shoot, no flinch, but over 400 ft lbs of energy with a 115 grain JHP. I only get about 260 ft lbs from my +P 158 grain .38 specials and the magnum loads I've seen were at or under 400 ft lbs from a 2" gun depending on load. I might could get a little more from a hot handload, but I don't know if I'd actually wanna fire it in a 2" gun, much less a titanium feather light wonder gun.

Anyway, I ain't too big on .357 for pocket revolvers. It's a monster caliber in a 4" or bigger duty gun, not bad out of a 3" SP101, but I don't get thrilled at the thought of anything smaller.

 

[Jkwas]

I have an all steel taurus 605 357. I have shot both 357 and 38+p with it. Both are manageable with a combat grip, but I prefer a good stiff +p for faster follow-ups. I was shooting some georgia arms 125gn jhp+p thru my model 10 the other day, and tried some in my friends S&W airweight. They were a little stiff, but in no way unpleasant. A good grip goes a long way in taming these buggers.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/38vs357snub.htm

Best.

 

[atlctyslkr]

These people don't seem to think so

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=28406

 

[S&W620]

General rule of thumb. Shoot the largest caliber you can properly handle. If you are comfortable shoot the .357, that is your best choice.

 

[Ichiro]

The .357 is heads and shoulders above any .38 for power. There's no comparison. But the .38 is much easier for firing multiple shots. There's no comparison.

If you're gonna load it with .357s, I suggest you also practice with .357s -- at least a few -- every time you shoot.

I've got a Ruger SP-101, and I go round and round in my head about what I should load it with. I've got Federal 125-grain .357 mag., Speer SB .357 mag., and Speer SB .38 +P.

It's currently loaded with the Speer .38 because I can shoot it fairly accurately at short distances as fast as I can pull the trigger. Plus, that's the same load I've got in my 642. I don't think the Speer .357 has enough of a performance edge to justify the increased difficulty in shooting.

If I had to carry in bad neighborhoods, be out at night, or if we were out in the wild, I'd load it with the Federal 125-grain. That is one SCARY load.

 

[SAWBONES]

.357 Magnum is more potent than .38 Special in equivalent bullet types for equivalent barrel lengths. The end.

Whether the difference is important to you and whether the difference in felt recoil and muzzle flip is significant only you can decide.

I agree that only the Ruger SP101 is both compact and easy to shoot with .357 Magnum ammunition.

 

[michael_aos]

FYI, the Speer 38 SPL+P 125gr GDHP (23720) clocks 919fps from my 4" S&W Model 67. 234.46 fp/e

It's quite pleasant to shoot.

Ultramax 158gr SWC @ 785fps, 216.14 fp/e.

Buffalo Bore markets a 158gr 38 spl+P but I guess I haven't tried it yet.

Mike