And still a couple more factors in the discussion---
The "Rated" or "Published" factory velocity in many loads is far, FAR different from what is taking place in the real world.
Yup, published performance for the .38 Special, 158 LSWCHP+P is something like 1060 fps. Now try and get that out of YOUR revolver. Just ‘cause it is published, or advertised, or whatever, doesn't mean that's what it's doing from your two-, three- or even four-inch. You'll have a hard time getting 1000 fps velocity from less than a six- inch pressure barrel. If you use a two- or three-inch resolver, I believe you won't get over 830 fps, and maybe even below 800. (It is still far superior to the old standard, 158 LRN at about *published* 780.)
Don't take my word for it--Go out and chronograph some of these loads. You don't have a chronograph? I do--An Oehler model 43 with third-screen check channel. And I've tested a lot of loads. Get with someone who has a chrono and test. It may open your eyes.
Then test some .45 ACP loads--from full length (five-inch) barrels, as well as from the shorter pistols that most people really carry. But there are a lot more five-inch .45s carried on the street than six-inch .38s. The 230 gr. FMJ averages right at 825 fps, across the board— UMC, Rem, Win/USA, etc. Older GI ball and PMC usually go a little hotter. JHP ammo is warmer still--860 to 875--but this discussion centers on hardball. A 4-1/4 inch Commander gets about 790--800.
Now—
Diameter .357, 158 gr at 825. Not too shabby, really, especially with the SWC profile.
Vs.
Diameter .451, 230 gr at 820. Better still, even WITH the round nose.
The 158 LSWCHP +P earned a good reputation for a variety of reasons--It is not hard to shoot well from medium frame revolvers issued by FBI, Dallas, Chicago, etc. It is accurate. Even from the small frame guns, it is manageable. It is easier to qualify with this handgun/load combination, especially with equal or less training, than with the .45. AND, you can train the recruits with light wadcutter .38 loads, before they go to the +P loads.
If a person is not a dedicated shooter, willing to train and practice regularly, he/she is probably a LOT better off with a .38 they can shoot pretty well, than with a .45 of which they are about half scared. Even the great lovers of the .45 ACP (Yes, I am one.) grant that a couple of center .38 hits work better than peripheral hits from .45 ball. Herein, I believe, lies the REAL effectiveness of the .38 Special.
Best regards,
RR
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