Which of these pistols is deadlier?

Question

Sorry for all the questions guys, but which is more lethal, a .38 special revolver or a Colt 1851/1861 .36 navy handgun?
The .38 has factory loads, the old naval has a conical seated in 20 grains of fffg. Thanks!

Oh yeah, and does anyone have a rough estimate to the velocity of these rounds? The .38 uses fast burning powder but only a 4 3/4 inch barrel, while the 1861 Colt uses slower black powder but with an 8 inch barrel! Just curious! Thanks guys!

Answer 1

Jonathan, you are asking which one is 'deadlier,' not which is more powerful. Okay, broadly speaking both are in the same class as far as both being medium bore, non-magnum revolvers. One is black powder and uses conical lead pellets. It is slower to reload and the projectiles it fires are old technology.

The .38 Special is a relatively modern caliber using higher pressure, smoke-less powder. It is factory loaded and ammo available can be up to +P+ (provided that your revolver is rated for +P or +P+ ammo). None-the-less, the modern smoke-less cartridges with even 110 grain, non +P ammo like the excellent Federal personal defense rounds are superior stoppers to the black powder conical lead bullets.

And yes, both are relatively slow moving bullets. The Federal 110 grain personal defense non +P is rated at 1,000 fps @ muzzle; 970 fps @ 25 yards and 950 fps @ 50 yards. The blackpowder one, even out of the longer barrel, won't be any faster due to lower pressure loads. Plus P ammo will up the velocity a hundred or so fps. A longer barrel will also help.

Best.

H

Answer 2

"Lethal" is a relative term and could apply to amost any firearm. You have to take into consideration that you need to compare Apples to Apples here and you are giving examples of two guns at opposite ends of the spectrum. As a former Homicide Detective I have seen victims killed with both a Colt 38 Special and a .36 caliber Black Powder Revolver. The point I'm trying to make is the fact that dead is in fact dead..Lethality doesn't come into it. The person using the weapon is the focus of what results from the fierarms use.. Both guns are totally capable of killing someone effectively. Since this isn't the olden days of the wild west and civil war is history now, the firearms technology has improved, but apparently not true of all men evolving along with it...

Answer 3

The conical isn't as good as some of the bullets available for the Spl., but keep in mind that William Hickock used the Colt Navy with some effect.

Answer 4

The .38 special is way better than any black powder handgun of the same caliber.Shot placement is the important thing. With proper shot placement, you can drop a deer with a .22 LR round.

Answer 5

Their both lethal.
Alot of caliber snobs would say a .45 or .44 is the only thing to carry, but alot of people have been killed in bars with a .25.
The modern .38 would have certain advantages. It would be double action, I would imagine. And the high speed propellant would give it considerable more speed. And as most gun experts agree. SPEED KILLS

Answer 6

which one will kill someone ''deader''?
both. kinda like asking which is better...
most answers are subjective.
the .36 navy , if black powder, is more fun to shoot, I think.

But then again, it's subjective.

Answer 7

Neither - by the way you asked the question you have never shot a handgun and I am fairly certain in your hands they are useless.

Answer 8

38 caliber.*

Answer 9

It's a pistol, not much difference in leathality with pistol cartridges.

Answer 10

both are capable of killing a person
so i would say neither