.38 Special +P vs 9mm non-+P

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Because, as I originally said, the R9S is NOT rated for +P ammo (even has a warning on the magazine not to use +P ammo) while the 342 IS rated for +P ammo (says so right on the barrel).

I was under the impression that I would be better armed with seven rounds of non-+P 9mm than five rounds of +P .38 Special and juust wanted to see if others felt the same way.




I'm no expert, but I certainly wouldn't be concerned about putting +P into my R9s for defensive purposes. Mind you I wouldn't go around shooting it all day, but certainly not a problem for my defensive rounds. SIG doesn't authorize shooting +P+, but I know alot of people who use it with no problems.
As to your original question, I would personally prefer the R9s over the .38. :)
 
I was under the impression that I would be better armed with seven rounds of non-+P 9mm than five rounds of +P .38 Special and juust wanted to see if others felt the same way.>>>>>>>>> Mayo

And I think you were exactly correct.

I can't find any true Plus P 38.


munk
 
Autos usually only blow up if there's something jammed in the barrel, or if the chamber is partially unsupported and there's excessive pressure. Revolvers, on the other hand, need only go out of time by a big enough fraction of an inch.

So factories loading "+P" in revolver cartridges to low specs is relatively prudent, given the number of people with crappy, unmaintained guns.
 
Not sure where you getting your info Munk but a 147 grain 9mm is going 980 to 1000 fps while a 38 +p with a 158 grain bullet is going about 850. The 9mm hits harder than the 38 .
Pat
 
Thats not bad for a 38. My Glock 26 drives a 127 grain +p+ ranger at 1180 to 1200 fps over my chrono. I do think there is a place for the 38 snub however even if its weaker than the 9mm. I like my 442 smith for pocket carry.
Pat
 
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Thats not bad for a 38. My Glock 26 drives a 127 grain +p+ ranger at 1180 to 1200 fps over my chrono. I do think there is a place for the 38 snub however even if its weaker than the 9mm. I like my 442 smith for pocket carry.
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With a longer barrel, the .38 Special will reach those velocities. But not in a snubbie.
 
The Glock 26 is a snubby auto with a 3.5 inch barrel its in the sunubby class. That same load from a Glock 17 (4.5 inch barrel) is going 1250 fps.
Pat
 
Dear 355SigFan;

If you read all my posts in this thread you would know where I got my 'info'.

As I said earlier, modern 38 Special Plus P loads are not Plus P. Therefore the Nine is more powerful. Good thread- I learned something.

thanks,

munk
 
With respect Munk reloads prove nothing because you should be using factory ammo for defense. Second the 9mm can be reloaded hotter too. People used to load it to major in ispc before the practice was banned. You can also load the 38 special hotter than it should be it does not prove much. Pat
 
What do you guys think of the Smith and Wesson 940? This is a 5 shot J frame revolver in 9mm.
 
Vern's spot on. I carry +P in my 9, a little more punch. But, it's still not going to kill anything the .38 can't. Even there, it's a pretty even race, +P to +P as far as application even if the 9 has the numbers.

I mainly prefer my 9 because it conceals better and a reload is easier to carry and faster to use, platform, not round preference. Like Alan Fud, I have both. But, his are a lot nicer than mine. Mine work for me, though. The little Rohrbaugh is TINY, though. :D

What do you guys think of the Smith and Wesson 940? This is a 5 shot J frame revolver in 9mm.

9mm is a high pressure round and the guns are usually steel and heavy. A subcompact auto makes a lot more sense for CCW to me. It's lighter, flatter, smaller. The only advantage I see in a 9mm auto is the moon clip for reloading. If they built one in titanium, then I could see it for the revolver freak that wants quick reloads. It'd be light and handy as most autos if a little physically bigger than a gun like the Rohrbaugh or PF9. Another cool thing about 'em is that two moon clip reloads can stack in one speedloader pouch.
 
The 9 does have a slight edge over the .38+P. There are exceptions. I have personally chronographed buffalo bore .38 125 +P from a 4" k frame at almost 1300fps. Their 158+P was doing almost 1200fpc. I would have to give the edge to the .38 in those loadings. Of course mose factory .38 loads are much lighter, but either one will get the job done with well place shots.
 
The 9 does have a slight edge over the .38+P. There are exceptions. I have personally chronographed buffalo bore .38 125 +P from a 4" k frame at almost 1300fps. Their 158+P was doing almost 1200fpc. I would have to give the edge to the .38 in those loadings. Of course mose factory .38 loads are much lighter, but either one will get the job done with well place shots.

+1 to that.

One other thing must be taken into consideration to a certain extent also. The .38 SPL can be loaded to .38/44 levels which will smoke any sane 9mm loading. When munk was talking about the loads in the Speer #6 IIRC I'll bet those were .38/44 level loads. Back in the day there was only .38 SPL and .38 HI Speed/ .38/44. It wasn't until sometime in the mid 70s' that SAAMI instituted the +P moniker. I do belive that todays .38 SPL ammo as well as .38 SPL +P has been neutered. However since I don't own any pressure test equipment I will stay within the confines of current loading manuals, and factory ammo for SD purposes.

This came in the box my S&W M60 no dash was shipped in enjoy.
P4170073.jpg
 
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