.380 Vs 38 special

A

Alex Johnson

New member
I know this may seem like an old debate, but what would you rather have (in a self defense situation) in a pocket pistol. One chambered for .380, or a J frame revolver in 38 special? These would of course both be high quality pistols and be loaded with good quality factory hollowpoint ammunition.
 
Hello Alex, To re-kindle the debate, my vote
would have to go to the .38 Special loaded
with a high quality JHP round; such as Federal's Hydra Shok's. :)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I have a Colt Pony .380 and a Ti Taurus .38. For me, the Pony is easier to shoot and easier to conceal. I am more worried about shot placement and comfort. I think a .380 and .38 are close enough in ballistics that it depends more on the shooters ability with the round.

[This message has been edited by mrat (edited February 17, 2000).]
 
I'd say .380 for concealability (flatter) but .38 spl for variety of bullets that can be loaded in it. I can't think of .380 in weights over 95gr but .38spl comes in 158gr which I'd prefer.
 
Thanks for all the response. I have a S&W model 36 and use 125 grain Federal Hydra Shoks; however, my father has a AMT .380 backup. Just curious to see what peoples responses would be on this issue, thanks a lot.

Alex Johnson
NRA Life Member
 
Greetings all. Yes, this is an old debate, and my take is that the .38 Special is the better round although the .380 and it are similar in effect. Still, practically all of the "tests" give the edge to the revolver round. That said, if a person simply couldn't hit well enough with the little revolver, but did better with the small auto, I'd say go with it; hits are what count. I also believe that in many instances you'll find that with the little guns, the revolver is often more reliable. Best.
 
Alex,

If time and $ permits, it's good to be well versed with both.
I lean a little toward the revolver; my wife likes her pistol.
When we practice, we swap.
It works for us... :)

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...defend the 2nd., it protects us all.
No fate but what we make...
 
Since I anticipate that any conflict involving a .380 or a .38 is probably going to be resolved in close quarters or short range, I vote for the .380 based on the fact that it's commonly available in a smaller package.

If I'm ever in tight with a bad guy, I'd want the maneuverability and quick handling that my slim and compact Walther PPK is going to give me. If I was headed out to shoot empty beer cans at 15 yards or needed to use the weapon as a club, I'd take my S&W .38. Just my opinion...

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Triggers exist to be pulled... again and again.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by HiCap:
Take the .38, lots more power than a 380. 380s tend to jam more often also.[/quote]


Jam more than what? A revolver? Most autos tend to jam more than a revolver regardless of caliber. I have four .380's here, not one jam out of any of them! ( about 5000 rds. combined) 2 colts and 2 Walthers. I dislike my .380's as primary carry guns for a few reasons, but reliability is not one of them.
CJB
 
The only thing the .380 has going for it is more shots, plus the ease of loading from a magazine rather than from a speed loader. But the power of the .380 is limited by the gun; the .38 has much greater flexibility. More shots with the .380; won't need a lot with the .38.

Jim
 
Well, I have some of each caliber.
My Colt Mustang .380 has never had a malfunction. It's nice and flat, easy to carry and shoot. But, at the range it's obvious the .38 is much more powerful.


Will

------------------
Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
I own a Browning BDA380 (made by Beretta for Browning and no longer available because sales dropped off when the 10 round limit was placed on magazines). It's a little on the large side (bigger than some .40 & 9mm pistols) holding 13+1 rounds.

I've had it for around two decades, feed it everything, fired an estimated 6,000 rounds through it and have yet to experience a single jam -- not even one!

If I encounter 2 or 3 BGs with chains & knives, five .38's might not stop them but fourteen .380's will do the trick. Of course, half a dozen .40's or .45's should also be enough but then again, this topic is limited to .380's and .38's.

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Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD.

[This message has been edited by FUD (edited February 17, 2000).]
 
FUD - 3 BGS with chains and knives.
You better hope they are far away as
you are toast even with a big gun.

It takes awhile to shoot all those rounds.
Chains whacking you slows down the follow
ups.

One shot each and repeat is standard drill.
So are you better putting a 38 SPL into them
rather than one 380 - hope you get time to
repeat.
 
Dont have a .380 (have a 9mak close ehough ?)
and have a S&W Mill& Police. If push came to shove I would go with the 38spec probably with full WC's being as most HP in the .38 non +p are questionalbe as to expansion and a WC is just as big as it can get to start with. But as always it is not so much which bullet but were they go that will decided the final outcome.

And of course you can use Rat Shot in a .38 and some other odd ball rounds that can not be used in most Autos (if any)
 
In a very tight situation, where one has to fire from, or through, a pocket, a concealed hammer revolver is better than any auto, since there is no room for the slide to move.

Jim
 
I go with the 380 as it is slimmer. Any 38 that is going to be easy to carry is too rough on my hand to shoot. I do not care much for small revolvers or the 38 round. I dont see anything wrong with them but for me it just does not cut it. I have better luck carrying my 1911 than hiding a revolver. The only reason I went to a walther 380 over the colt is the weight factor.
 
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