Self Defense Ammo Question

[ak-kev]

From what I understand, the 9mm is a bit better than .38special in the area of SD. But what happens to the 9mm when you use it with very short barrels? Im specifically talking about a 158gr LSWCHP@800-900fps from a 2" Detective Special vs. a 124gr +p Gold Dot@ 1000fps from a 3" Colt Pocket9. How would they compare. I havnt had a chance to test the 2 head to head on my milk jugs Or......to simplify the question, what would perform the best on BG's.....the best .38 from a 2" bbl, or the best 9mm from a 3" bbl?? Opinions??? Kevin.

 

[mavracer]

my opinion would be that with proper bullet placement BG won't know the difference.BTW have you chronoed those GD from your pocket 9 I would think a 1000 would be a little low they are rated at 1220 from a 4" and should loose about 100 fps.also I have had good luck using 147 ranger Ts in my 905 taurus they chrono just under 1000 fps and should also perform very much like the 38 FBI load.

 

[GunNut]

From comparable length barrels the 9mm will still be faster than the .38special, IMHO.

Both can be plenty effective if shot placement is right.

 

[ak-kev]

You are correct sir. I miscalculated. My bad. I have clocked the Speer 124gr +p out of my 4" Hi-Power clone at 1255fps averaged from 5 shots, so I guess it would be around 1150 or so from the 3" Pocket9.

 

[Texas Colt]

As a point of reference, the Speer 135 grain "Short Barrel" GDHP +P clocks at 885 out of my Colt DS. So, you're looking at 250+ difference in velocity.

Even so, I'm not sure the BG is going to notice the difference, especially if the shot placement is good.