Which is more effective?

[huntsman]

This question was asked by me as you always get asked at work or so what is the best option for a woman.

When my daughter decided she wanted a gun I let her shoot a few different platforms, both her and her roommate didn't like the LCP, both thought it snappy a difficult to rack. The LCR was what she chose, I believe because she was comfortable with a revolver since she used to shoot my GP-141 with .38spl.

Last summer I attended a class and witnessed a poor woman struggle mightily with and SP, I don't know how much she shot it before the class but I did hear her say a friend(Male) told her it was what a woman should own.

Bottom line, women should make their own decision only after actually shooting the guns.

 

[Warp]

I choose my 5 shot S&W 642 with Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P or a 158gr +P LSWCHP. Doesn't mean a woman would choose the same. The long heavy trigger pull can be a downer.

Also, that 642 with Buffalo Bore 158gr +P LSWCHP and stock grips is by far the most painful and un-fun handgun I have personally shot, to date. It is FAR more brutal than the hottest buffalo bore .357 mag out of my GP100 or super redhawk alaskan in .44 mag (buffalo bore 340gr +P+ in that like 3" .44 mag is a pleasure to shoot compared to the little .38 spl)

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I've got a Glock 42 and a SIG P230 both .380. Carry one or the other at times but much prefer a J-frame with Wadcutters.

S&W 36-2 with 159 grain solid base wadcutters riding over 5.0 grains of Unique...

 

[PapaG]

I found an old mold I bought in the 50s, Lyman 358432, which throws a 160 grain full adjuster. Ran off a few, loaded some in 38 cases with the recommended amount of Bullseye. Shot out of my 3 1/16" SP101, they clocked 800 fps and grouped into 1 1/2 inches at 25 yards. I like them better than the 90 grain 380s but still am leery about reloads for self defense.

 

[peacebutready]

Definitely the .38 with wadcutters if you can shoot the double action trigger well and carry a clip (not magazine) with a reload.

 

[peacebutready]

I found an old mold I bought in the 50s, Lyman 358432, which throws a 160 grain full adjuster. Ran off a few, loaded some in 38 cases with the recommended amount of Bullseye. Shot out of my 3 1/16" SP101, they clocked 800 fps and grouped into 1 1/2 inches at 25 yards. I like them better than the 90 grain 380s but still am leery about reloads for self defense.

Buffalo Bore makes a full wadcutter, .38 load. I think it is between a regular .38 and a +P in terms of power.

 

[dagger dog]

I look at the subject of SD bullets in lesser calibers like dangerous game hunting,you don't see PH's and their clients using hollow point ammo on lion's, tigers, leopards, buffaloes or any thing else that could possibly trample, gore, or eat you.

Should the most dangerous game (man) deserve anything less ?

 

[strambo]

I look at the subject of SD bullets in lesser calibers like dangerous game hunting,you don't see PH's and their clients using hollow point ammo on lion's, tigers, leopards, buffaloes or any thing else that could possibly trample, gore, or eat you.

Should the most dangerous game (man) deserve anything less ?

Apples...let me introduce you to an orange.

 

[Warp]

I look at the subject of SD bullets in lesser calibers like dangerous game hunting,you don't see PH's and their clients using hollow point ammo on lion's, tigers, leopards, buffaloes or any thing else that could possibly trample, gore, or eat you.

Should the most dangerous game (man) deserve anything less ?

This post shows an awful lot of ignorance on the subject at hand.

Large animal are larger and sewn from tougher thread than homo sapiens. Adequate penetration for defense vs a person is a much lesser requirement than adequate penetration for a buffalo.

 

[Jim NE]

I've got a Glock 42 and a SIG P230 both .380. Carry one or the other at times but much prefer a J-frame with Wadcutters.

S&W 36-2 with 159 grain solid base wadcutters riding over 5.0 grains of Unique...

Oh, those grips are really pretty! Nice gun.

I have three model 36's, and love them all. The recoil is manageable. I also had an old model 37 (alloy frame) with the small factory wood grips. I was surprised the recoil wasn't worse than it was. I thought the recoil was livable...until I shot it next to a slightly larger model 68 Rossi snubbie .38 with factory rubber grips. It was like night and day. It felt like I was riding in a Cadillac after bouncing around in a Jeep. I sold the model 37, but it was great to carry. So light, you forgot it was there. The model 36's just seem to reach the threshold of comfortable shooting, in my opinion. The 37, not quite.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I choose my 5 shot S&W 642 with Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P or a 158gr +P LSWCHP. Doesn't mean a woman would choose the same. The long heavy trigger pull can be a downer.

Also, that 642 with Buffalo Bore 158gr +P LSWCHP and stock grips is by far the most painful and un-fun handgun I have personally shot, to date. It is FAR more brutal than the hottest buffalo bore .357 mag out of my GP100 or super redhawk alaskan in .44 mag (buffalo bore 340gr +P+ in that like 3" .44 mag is a pleasure to shoot compared to the little .38 spl)

I agree. I hated shooting my 642 with hot rounds. My 5" 460 mag is more pleasant to shoot with 200 gr Hornady rounds. 325 gr rounds are a little less enjoyable, but the gun still beats me up less than my 642 did with the stock grips.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

My 642 is also high in the ouch factor rating.

 

[Panzerschwein]

My 642 is also high in the ouch factor rating.

Of what grips are those? Nice!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Those are Herrett's Shooting Ace grips. Feel really good on J frames. They cover the frame back strap and are just long enough to allow the little finger some support...plus they are thin and conceal well.

I've got three sets of them. The ones on the 642 above are worn from using a speedloader.

Here's a better looking pair on a S&W 36.

 

[mavracer]

My 642 is also high in the ouch factor rating.

My 442 doesn't seem so bad since I shot a cylinder full of 145gr 357 Silvertips from my old M&P340 but that could be because my hand is still numb from shooting a cylinder full of 145gr 357 Silvertips from a M&P340.

 

[fastbolt]

Which is more effective?
7-shot 380 Auto with FMJ ammo, or a 5 shot .38 snubby with full wadcutters?
I do believe the wadcutters will do much more damage? But is the extra 2 rounds in the 380 making up for it?

Which little gun and caliber can you use to rapidly and accurately put hits on the intended target, especially under difficult and stressful conditions?

 

[bearcreek]

I'm not really a revolver guy but that is a sweet looking gun.

 

[shafter]

Definitely the 38 with wadcutters