.38 Special vs. .357 Magnum for Home Defense

Which would you choose and why?

  • .38 Special

    Votes: 105 67.3%

  • .357 Magnum

    Votes: 51 32.7%
  • Total voters
    156
M

Model12Win

Moderator
The title says it all- which do you prefer for this purpose and more importantly, why?

I have a big Ruger GP100 with a 6" barrel that I currently use for HD work, but I have a police trade in S&W Model 64 coming in the mail that I may make into my dedicated home defense revolver as it has a shorter 4" barrel and is more handy and is DAO. After reading some threads about how loud a .357 magnum when fired indoors, I have begun the quest to look for some .38 special loads that are good for home defense. I also think muzzle flash might be bad with the magnums.

So what do you think? Will a .38 special (also +P versions) be effective, or is this task best left to the .357 magnum round?

Looking forward to your thoughts guys! :)

PS: Please, nobody be a smart aleck and say "neither! only .45 ACP will do!" or something like that. This thread is concerning if you had to choose between the two rounds in the poll. Thanks!
 
Pretty hard to answer, obviously the 357 is a hard hitting fast round and the 38 is really anemic. Bit I know few people that can TRULY shoot a 357 as well as a 38
 
At the distances inside my home, against 2 legged predators, a .38 will do everything a .357 will, without as much over-penetration and blinding muzzle flash.


That said, a 1911 resides on the nightstand next to my bed.........;)
 
I personally prefer other rounds for home defense, but given the above choice I would probably go with .38+P. It should be sufficient in most cases and the .357mag is really a bear inside even with hearing protection.
 
There's not a lot of difference between them with 3" or 4" barrels. +P ammo in the 38 reduces the difference. Especially with Buffalo Bore
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and other modern +P ones. From what I glean from good data, the difference is more emotional than physical.

Same thing about home defense rifles; .308 Win versus .300 Win Mag.
 
I use a 6" GP100 with +P 125gr JHP, hot enough to have the same point of impact as full power magnum loads with 158gr bullets. Why? Quicker follow shots while staying on target.

I'm not seeing any real advantages to switching to a 4" for a house gun. You may have more noise and muzzle flash from it than your 6" and lose a little muzzle velocity whencomparing the same ammo in both guns.
 
I use Buffalo Bore® 38 Special+P 158gr SWCHCGC. Plenty of power to get the job done w/o the excessive muzzle blast and recoil of a 357 Magnum round.
 
I just use 38's. I've got a couple of 357's but they stay in the safe.

I don't shoot anything but 38's in them anyway.
 
Wait, if its HD why wouldn't you want the longer barrel? less recoil, more accurate (not really needed in room to room) and can shoot either .38 or .357.

Why give that up? I could see th 4in for a CC, but for HD, I'd go for the 6in barrel .357 six ways to Sunday. What am I missing?
 
38SPL +p

If I have to use a revolver. Personally the G34 and 20 rounds of +p+ seems more suitable or 12 gauge.
 
Which one do you shoot best? Nothing else matters.
I've opted to scare anybody who breaks in silly with a naked, fat, old guy with a falchion. And living 40 feet up.
 
Which one do you shoot best? Nothing else matters.
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DING DING DING We have a thread winner!


I've opted to scare anybody who breaks in silly with a naked, fat, old guy with a falchion. And living 40 feet up.
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This may be one of the most terrifying images I've ever had in my head...
 
I have always felt that 4" was more suitable for close quarters than 6". The extra accuracy probably doesn't matter for "in the same room" shooting. My HD piece has always been a 4" 357. I have always kept it loaded with magnums, but some of the persuasive members here are leaning me more towards +P.
 
I have always felt that 4" was more suitable for close quarters than 6". The extra accuracy probably doesn't matter for "in the same room" shooting. My HD piece has always been a 4" 357. I have always kept it loaded with magnums, but some of the persuasive members here are leaning me more towards +P.
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I feel the same way. The big 6" full lug .357 GP100 is just so... big! I think for weapons retention the smaller 4" Model 64 police revolver will be just the ticket.

Still wondering if the drop down to .38 special +P will be okay though? :confused:
 
Still wondering if the drop down to .38 special +P will be okay though?
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Defense against what - invading army or the typical burgler? I'd be willing to bet that if you statistically laid out all the police reports of HD situations and analysed how often a "powerful" bullet was really needed, you'd be surprised. The average burgler is going to start running for the nearest exit as soon as the first shot is fired - even if that first shot comes from something relatively weak.

Bottom line I'm trying to get at is to use the weapon that is comfortable and accurate for you even if it is a little weaker than the other one.
 
In a 6" gp100 follow up shots of magnum rounds are no problem. Noise still is. A .357 indoors is ear blasting loud. The .38 special in a premium load is more than adequate and without the bleeding ears.
 
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