Is a 38 better for self defense than a 380?

Question

I like the revolver but the pistol fits flatter. When you're back's against the wall does it matter?

Answer 1

When you backs against the wall...IT DOESN'T MATTER.
I'm not going to argue better ballistics's here but I will tell you my personal preference. I carried a Stainless Walther PPK in 380 ACP as an off-duty carry gun for over 12 years in my former Law Enforcement career. I only gave it up when the department allowed us to carry 357 Magnums, and I switched. I still think for conceal-ability you can't beat a quality 380ACP with a clip full of Jacketed Hollow Points of course!...lol Again, Just my personal opinion.....

Answer 2

I have two S&W J-frame snubbies, one in .38 and on in 9mm. I also own a Bersa .380.

These were/are back up guns to my normal concealed carry gun, a Taurus 745, .45 ACP.

In the .38, I load 125 gr. jacketed hollow points; in the 9mm, I also load 125 gr. rounds. The Bersa gets either 90 or 95 gr. full metal jacket rounds.

Velocity for the two revolvers is between 875 and 950 fps; the 9mm is a little faster. Velocity for the .380 is about 900 fps.

I don't use the +P stuff; I think that the regular round is just fine and I don't have to justify to some lawyer why I opted to use such a "powerful" round.

I use FMJ in the .380 because it is a light bullet and I feel penetation is more important than a slightly larger would cavity.

Both the revolvers are limited to 5 rounds. The Bersa will carry 7 + 1.

All three guns weigh about the same. The two revolvers, beinging hammerless, carry in the pocket without problems. The Bersa, although flatter, is longer and taller than the revolvers. When I carry it, it is in a coat pocket.

Generally, I find myself carrying the 9mm revolver more than the .38 or the Bersa.

My advice: buy both. . .

Answer 3

It is just a matter of personal preference. The auto-loader is easier to conceal but if you prefer a revolver find a better way to carry it. I don't like small of the back holsters myself because you can't cover them with your arm if someone is walking behind you. I find that an inside the pants holster works best for me with a revolver or semi-auto.

Now which is better for self defense, a .38 Special or a .380 acp? A .380 holds more rounds but the .38 can be loaded with hotter ammo (like personal defense ammo from Federal or +P+). I only have a couple .38s which I load with Chief's Special 125 grain ammo from Federal. My other wheel guns are .357 Mags which I load with magnum ammo for personal defense. I have a high cap Beretta .380 acp which is preferred due to the high volume of ammo and easier n quicker way to carry/insert reloads. The only advantage the wheel gun really has is that it'll shoot snake shot if you're in the great outdoors.

So just carry what works for you.

H

Answer 4

I don't think it really matters. A .38 Special +P round will have the edge in better ballistic performance and "standard" testing numbers than the 380 Auto, but not so much that it trounces the 380 Auto round. I would say that if you like the semi-auto better than get the 380 Auto, but if you prefer a revolver than go with the 38 Special. I own a Ruger SP101 and have considered getting a SigSauer P232 as well. I believe the one you shoot better is the one to get and if you haven't shot either than get the one you think you will enjoy. Because if you like shooting it then you will practice and ultimately become a better shot. Just my two cents.

Answer 5

Personally I think a .38 snub is a better back up than a .380 because a revolver is just more reliable and easier to use when your back's against the wall. This is speaking in terms of a backup weapon of course because I still prefer a 12 gauge shotgun to a handgun for self-defense.

Answer 6

I would go with the .38 Spl. There are a larger range of bullets and loads than the .380. The .380 has to be mostly FMJ or equivalent soft points. Some of the hollow points will work but not all. With the 38 spl anything that you can get into the cylinder will work. There are many very small and light .38 spl revolvers now for sale and you would not be under-gunned with any of them.
Remember ballistics never kills, aiming and hitting your target in the right place is what kills.
Sarge

Answer 7

Johnny,

I prefer revolvers to semi-autos, I especially small revolvers over small semi-autos. Small revolvers are in my experience both more powerful, more reliable, and less ammo sensitive than small auto pistols.

My Always Gun is an S&W M-640, in .357 Magnum. It replaced an S&W M-49 Bodyguard .38 SPL.

When the rotary-oscillating air displacement unit is contaminated with fecal material, any weapon at all is preferable to bare hands and begging. But given my choice, I'd have a .357 Magnum, .44 S&W SPL, or .38 S&W SPL revolver in my hand, but only if my rifle were not handy.

Doc

Answer 8

the high energy .38 +p round has far greater penetration depth as well as consistent accuracy when used in a modern revolver. However, make sure your revolver frame is rated for the high energy +p rating. Of course you will want to use a round whose missle is some variation of semijacketed hollow point. I believe Federal HydraShock is available in .38+p

the 380 is the weakest weapon available that is still considered a personal defense option. more precisely, it is best utilized as a "last chance" backup pistol, hidden in an ankle holster or in the small of the back. The 380 weapons, i am referring to only those of adequate quality and reliability for defense use, are designed to be small for concealment. also, you are not likely to find a quality 380 with a magazine capacity much greater than the 6 round S.W. .38 +p rated revolvers. the revolvers make yet more sense when you consider a nearly 0% incidence of failure to chamber a live round (aka "stovepipe jams" with many 380's,

if your heart is set on a small semiauto, i would suggest either the glock, the s.w. sigma, or the sig. but if you're going to spend the money to get a decent 380 (i'm not convinced a decent 380 even exists) you might as well spend another hundred dollars for a real tactical semiauto, either in 9, 40, or for another extra hundred dollars, 357sig.

short answer; 38+p is way better than 380 in general. 380;s only benefit is concealment. if you like semiautomatic, get a glock 22 or 23. $450 all day long, 15+1 capacity in the model 22, and you can be proud that you didn't cheap out when selecting a tool intended to save your life.

I have seen several instances where 380 FMJ rounds failed to stop the progression of an assailant even after the magazine was emptied with 4 of 6 within three inches of center mass. the cartridge is simply too small to be consistently effective. furthermore, the short barrel lenght and historically pathetic sighting systems, you have to be well within the 10 meter range to fire with some degree of confidence that your round will find its target rather than sailing off to cause property damage, or in worse cases, injury or death to innocent bystanders.

38+p if you like the revolver, .40s.w. if you prefer semiauto. who cares if the pistol fits flatter? its not a fashion accessory. it is a weapon intended to save your life by neutralizing a hostile assailant.

Answer 9

Yes, .38 special has the edge over .380 auto in power, but you give up a little in bulkinessof the gun.

Answer 10

The bigger bullet is more satisfying, but even a really inadequate caliber that's there when you need it is imminently better than the perfect handgun that you don't have handy when you need it. There's something to be said for a little pocket pistol you won't mind having on you all the time.

Answer 11

Me, I prefer the .380. The faster reload tips the scales. I *do*, though, currently own two vintage .38's and no .380's. There are other weapons I prefer more than either.

As to anyone doubting a lowly .380's ability to end the argument, one only needs to visit the MagSafe ammo sight just once. It's the ammo that decides the winner, not the weapon it's fired from.....and using good ammo, even the lowliest can get the job done.

Of your two choices, I'd go .380 in any number of reliable pistols. I'm sorry to say it, but I agree with JD.