380 auto and 9mm ammunition are all the same caliber. (Caliber is the size of the projectile, or bullet.) The different names are for marketing reasons or because of where the cartridge was developed. 38 is 0.38 of an inch; Europe uses the metric system, so 9mm.18 Feb 2016
Why is it called 38 caliber?
Despite its name, the caliber of the . 38 Special cartridge is actually . 357 inches (36 caliber/9.07 mm), with the ". 38" referring to the approximate diameter of the loaded brass case.
What does .38 mean for handgun?
38 caliber is a frequently used name for the caliber of firearms and firearm cartridges. The . 38 is considered a large firearm cartridge; anything larger than . 32 is considered a large caliber.
Whats bigger .38 or 9mm?
The height of a loaded cartridge is 1.55 inches (39 mm). The 9mm round was introduced in 1902 by George Luger. Both bullets are equal in bullet diameter, the 9mm case is about 3/8 of an inch shorter than the . 38 Special but boasts double the pressure.
Is a 38 more powerful than a 9mm?
Standard pressure . 38 Special only produces 264 foot-pounds of force (147-grain bullet at 900 feet per second out of a 4-inch barrel), while standard pressure 9mm can produce 365 foot-pounds of force (124-grain bullet at 1,150 feet per second). This is 38.25% more energy at the muzzle in favor of the 9mm.21 Dec 2019
Is a 38 A good self-defense gun?
38 Special is perfectly adequate for self defense, provided you use proper self defense oriented ammunition and use a handgun you are trained on to comfortably fire under stress.
Is 38 snub enough for self-defense?
Snub nose . 38 Special revolvers are relatively small and reliable and concealable and relatively light weight, making them good choices for concealed carry self-defense against thugs, especially thugs that are not firearm armed.
Whats stronger 45 or 38?
45 has greater impact energy because it is larger bullet. Unfortunately, it also has greater recoil when fired. The . 38 is a good round because it has lower recoil making it easier to shoot.
Why is 38 Special weaker than 9mm?
The shell casing volume of the 38 spl was designed for black powder, a weaker powder than modern propellants. That is why it is quite larger than the 9mm case which was designed for use with modern propellants.
Is 38 special powerful enough?
It is a widely used Gun in the USA - legal and Illegal. But police seen that and needed an edge and went to the (9 mm and can shoot more Bullets needing less reloads). But a . 38 can kill, it a Big Bore weapon, get it in the heart or the head and your Dead.
Is a 38 Special a pistol or revolver?
.38 Special
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.38 Special cartridge
Type
Place of origin
Production history
What gun does a 38 Special go to?
The . 38 Special is most commonly used in revolvers, but also finds use in semi-automatic pistols and carbines.
Is 38 Special same as 9mm?
38 Special only produces 264 foot-pounds of force (147-grain bullet at 900 feet per second out of a 4-inch barrel), while standard pressure 9mm can produce 365 foot-pounds of force (124-grain bullet at 1,150 feet per second). This is 38.25% more energy at the muzzle in favor of the 9mm.21 Dec 2019