.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
So what about Marshall and Sanow's data was really flawed? Weren't their findings based on the threat stopping after 1 shot?
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Yes but they only looked at cases where one shot was fired, so if the first shot failed and a second shot was fired it didn't go as a failure to stop.
M&S is a good read as their discussion of tactics and such are OK, but the one shot stop data should be taken with a grain of salt.
 
I am sure some will find this silly, but I keep hornaday 38s in mine, with my last round being 357. i like the idea of 357 but i cant follow up quickly. i don't care about my follow up on the last round, but if i am down to that last round, it really needs to get the job done.
 
I am sure some will find this silly, but I keep hornaday 38s in mine, with my last round being 357. i like the idea of 357 but i cant follow up quickly. i don't care about my follow up on the last round, but if i am down to that last round, it really needs to get the job done.
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Best keep track of the cylinder indexing, eh? I think I might want to color the rim of the 357, so I can peek, just to make sure my ready state is accurate.

Maybe I would just use milder loaded 357 cases with that hot one marked in red. Interesting concept.
 
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There are a lot of opinions on this matter, its pretty impressive... If you are loading light I like the idea of a HOT 357 on the last round, seems to be a solid idea...

Keep in mind 38s can go from mild to wild, there are 1300fps 500 ft lb loads out there and there are 800fps 200ft lb loads out there, so it is a pretty versatile round, its what makes a 357 revolver so nice you can get ammo at 800fps and in the same gun shoot ammo that is 1800fps!!!

Also the reason I always tell people buy a few boxes of ammo with your new gun, 3 or 4 different kinds and shoot a few of them all find out what works for you, what you can control and follow up with is more important that what will kill a bull {unless you are hunting bull, then make sure you get a hot round}...

Your gun will also have a lot to do with your ammo decision, barrel twist and length can dictate your projectile weight, I have a sw 327 it shoots different amm than my vcomp, also the weight of the gun will dictate how well you control powerful ammo, My 686 competitor is weighted and a pretty heavy gun, I can shoot hot underwood rounds all day with it, but my 360pd weighs 11 ounces and shooting hot ammo out of it beats me up, I like to use mild 38sp with that gun...

Everyone is going to have a different need and want, no matter what fuels it, whether you are the guy that wants a cannon loaded with the biggest ball it will take or the guy that wants to be precise, in control, and accurate with something that will still get the job done, its your decision and there is no wrong answer... Well OK there are some wrong answers, like 500mag for crow control could be wrong, although I want to see the first shot...
 
Well, sofar so good, but not sofar yet.
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I agree with riflemen. When I was shooting my Colt Python .357 an awwwfulllll lot, I had a .38 wadcutter handload, that was shooting to the same place at 25 yard. If I remember correctly, because it was like 30 years ago, the load was 3.2 RED DOT.
 
The data on one shot stops has been criticized. It is interesting to note that the data was collected from only center mass hits to try to ascertain stopping power. The 125 grn 357 magnum load was a clear winner (96-98%) but, here is the kicker. When they looked at hits outside of the center mass (arms, legs etc) the 125 grn jhp 357 magnum loads were still devastating at stopping attackers. The 9mm 115 +p+ load from Federal (9BP) was also having a higher stopping % then expected (93%). There was much discussion at the time if these high velocity 357 magnum and then 9mm rounds had a shock effect on the system. Causing the attacker to become stunned and stop attacking.

The updated bullet designs like a Speer 125 grn 357 magnum are even better at barrier penetration.

There is no magic bullet.
Having said that, the 357 magnum in 125 grn JHP going over 1400 fps is the closest thing to a magic bullet. No opinion there, just facts. Then again, there are reports of people not stopping even after taking multiple hits by 12 gauge slugs! EEK!
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2ndamd --

Did you read the links I posted? The whole "study" is junk "science" and not worth the ink it took to type it up.
 
My HD revolver is a 357, but I keep it stoked with 38+P FBI loads.

I have no concerns about the effectiveness of this round.
 
Hi KYJim. That's why I started with "The data on one shot stops has been criticized."

and...

"There is no magic bullet."

And...

" there are reports of people not stopping even after taking multiple hits by 12 gauge slugs! EEK!"

A 38 placed properly is more effective than a 357 missed.
Shoot what you can make effective hits with.
AND...a faster moving projectile of the same diameter will have more energy to transfer onto the target. If you can hit with a 357 use it. It has a proven track record outside of the bogus study.
 
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