What is more powerful? .38 or 9mm?

[SharpsDressedMan]

I do not agree. Are you going by published ballistics, or actual chronographed loads? Many .38 Special loads are clocked from 6" barrels, and do not represent accurate ballistics as fired from 2-3" barrels, which would be the majority of guns carried CCW, and of similar size to 9mm's carried concealed.

 

[R.W.Dale]

You might get a 124 gr. Bullet going 1150 from your 9mm but it's easily possible to get a 125 going the same speed from a .38
Push them both close to 1200 and the 38 still wins.
Or a 168gr Keith semi wad cutter going over 1000
In a .38 you can get full power and performance from a home cast bullet.
And better reliability.

But my revolvers are .357
Beats 9mm hands down.

You can hot rod 38 all you want. But an overpressure overload does not change the fact that when loaded to saami specifications 9mm IS more powerful than 38 PERIOD END OF STORY

What you're claiming would be like me saying 30-30 is more powerful than 30-06 because I have slow/light trail boss loads for my 06

Once you exceed 20k psi you're no longer loading 38spl. You're just loading in a 38 case. And yes there's a difference



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[rio nueces]

Not hot ridding at all...how about 158 lead hollow point at 1140 from a 4" .38?
Buffalo Bore commercial +p
And when you get those (not quite so high) high velocities you brag on about the 9mm those are +p or +p+, likely from a 5" barrel.

"The BB +P is more closely associated with (a duplicate of) the old 1930s 38/44 round, the grand father of the 357 Mag. From a 4" barrel the BB load will give ~1140 fps."

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=701135

A few posts down.

 

[R.W.Dale]

No my 9mm velocities are direct from my 9mm REVOLVER with a 2" barrel.

And not with $45 a box boutique factory overloads either.




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[SharpsDressedMan]

A 4" .38 revolver would be about the same size as a 5" semi auto (like a Colt 1911), or Walther P38 (also a 5" barrel). Comparing ammo shot from those would be a good comparison. When you factor in the length of the cylinder/chamber of the revolver, they would be very close indeed.

 

[Penoe Hunter]

Revolver bullets can be more reliable in expanding than bullets for autos particularly at lower velocity due to auto bullets having to be being durable enough not to deform being slammed into the feed ramp. Revolver bullets can expose the lead tip

 

[rio nueces]

Well, I really do like both. And really they are very close in power, otherwise we'd have no reason for the lively debate!
But as far 'boutique' loads in .38, I can duplicate any of those easily for less than $5 a box using cast bullets.
Just to rehash, the .38 can shoot a heavier more easily obtained (cheaper) and more effectively shaped bullet from a similar length barrel slightly faster than a 9.
But I certainly would feel adequately armed with a 9 x 19.
Freedom of choice - ain't it great?

 

[R.W.Dale]

.38 can shoot a heavier more easily obtained (cheaper) and more effectively shaped bullet from a similar length barrel slightly faster than a 9.

No it can't. 20k psi vs 38k please explain to me how 20k pushes the bullet out the muzzle at the higher velocity?

Do you actually own a Chronograph?

Again with +p loads for both from a apples to apples 2" revolver 9mm is a 1100fps cartridge, 38 is a sub 900 fps cartridge with both shooting the most modern 125g jhp avalible.

Handloaded "the FBI used em in the 20's from a 6" barrel" cast handloads from a 2" barrel do not an excellent ccw cartridge make.

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/snubby_ballistics.htm

Note the velocities achieved particularly how low they are.

Now my data
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=654231&page=2





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[easyg]

All other things being equal, the 9mm Para is more powerful than the .38 special.
No contest.