.380 vs. .38 +P - Page 5

Dusty Miller · March 27th, 2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ Husker

I just did 200 rounds of Remington 130 gr MC and 50 rounds of Remington 125 gr semi-jacketed hp +P's this week in a S&W 642 centennial Airweight. No problems at all. My girlfriend shot both loads and was fine also.

You mean.............golly, you didn't get your hands ripped off?!

Joe70 · April 13th, 2008, 05:35 PM

I'll have to agree with Metro 40. "Recoil is not pleasant when target shooting with a light weight snub". I carry a S&W 638. It is not fun practicing with 158 gr. cast hps plus ps. I does hurt my hand but I still practice at about 7 yds. and they all go where they are supposed to go. In serious use (why I got it) I won't realize the kick. At least, I carry it where sometimes I leave my Sig220 home because of the hassle of putting on my IWB holster and making sure I have a shirt or jacket covering. With the 638 I just put it in my pocket (w/pocket holster).
I hunted with a Contender in .35 Rem. A blast to sight in, but can't remember the recoil while hunting.
The only problem with my 638 (it's new) is you need a super finger to operate it.
Joe
The only gun that helps is the one you have with you.

libertarian5 · April 14th, 2008, 03:33 PM

I just got back from doing a little test at the range. I soaked three 2-1/2" thick phone books overnight, then taped them together today. I took my 2-1/2" Colt Python and my 2-1/2" Mustang .380 and tested them side by side. Here are the results in terms of penetration. I shot all the rounds from a distance of 6 feet.

.38 Special 130 Gr Ball Remington UMC 4.5” 4.75”
.38 Special +P 125 Gr JHP 5.25” 5.25”
.380 Blazer Brass FMJ 95 Gr 4.25 4.25”
.380 Cor Bon 90 Gr JHP 4.25” 4.5”
.380 Gold Dot 90 Gr JHP 4.5” 4.75”
.380 Buffalo Bore Flat Point Lead 100 Gr 6.25” 6.25”

.357 JHP 110 Gr JHP Passed through
.357 Buffalo Bore 180 Gr Solid Lead Passed Through

The .38 special JHP were the only bullets that had any significant expansions. (5/32" and 6/32") The .380 Cor Bon and Gold Dots had almost no expansion and and only marginally better penetration than the Blazer Brass ball ammo. The Buffalo Bore bullets had no expansion but had the most penetration of all the .380 or .38 special rounds. IMO, none of these rounds really has an objectionable recoil.

The .357 rounds all passed through - not enough phone books. I carry the 180 grain Buffalo Bore in my .357 when I am working in swamps in the south, but this was the first time I had shot any of it. It has a lot of recoil. Not something you want to shoot a lot of.

I am now sold upon the Buffalo Bore .380 as my carry round. It would appear to me that it is as good as or better than the standard .38 Special or +P loadings. This test would have been better if I'd had some .38 Special +P Ball ammo, but that doesn't seem to be available around here right now. I'm betting that Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P would seriously outperform the Mustang, but I didn't have any to test.

Dusty Miller · April 16th, 2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homepcmd

Has the person ever fired a 2" revolver with +p "kick hard but also rip your hand off" recoil?

WHAT?!!

Dusty Miller · April 16th, 2008, 06:40 PM

From the Chuck Hawks Handgun Cartridge Power Chart-Condensed Verson. A 90 gr. Hydra-Shok launched at 1007 fps from a 3.6" barreled .380 ACP gives you 69% one shot stops. A 158 gr. LHP launched at 996 fps from a 4" 38 spec. gives you 78% one shot stops. The penetration advantage goes to the 38 spec. due to the added bullet weight but in my opinion the difference between 69% and 78% one shot stops ain't much. I want something that gives me 90% or more one shot stops. I've posted here before asking folks if they would like to wake up at 3:00 a.m. to face some drug crazed ex-con weighing in at 250# and place three perfect COM shots on the guy using a .380 ACP or if they'd rather be using a .44 mag that can easily launch a 180 gr. JHP at 1400 fps. Hey, you pays your money and you takes your choice. It ain't nuth'n but your life and the lives of your loved ones!

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April 13th, 2008, 05:35 PM	#42
Joe70 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ctrl. NY Posts: 66	I'll have to agree with Metro 40. "Recoil is not pleasant when target shooting with a light weight snub". I carry a S&W 638. It is not fun practicing with 158 gr. cast hps plus ps. I does hurt my hand but I still practice at about 7 yds. and they all go where they are supposed to go. In serious use (why I got it) I won't realize the kick. At least, I carry it where sometimes I leave my Sig220 home because of the hassle of putting on my IWB holster and making sure I have a shirt or jacket covering. With the 638 I just put it in my pocket (w/pocket holster). I hunted with a Contender in .35 Rem. A blast to sight in, but can't remember the recoil while hunting. The only problem with my 638 (it's new) is you need a super finger to operate it. Joe The only gun that helps is the one you have with you.

April 14th, 2008, 03:33 PM	#43
libertarian5 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: 4 Corners Posts: 273	I just got back from doing a little test at the range. I soaked three 2-1/2" thick phone books overnight, then taped them together today. I took my 2-1/2" Colt Python and my 2-1/2" Mustang .380 and tested them side by side. Here are the results in terms of penetration. I shot all the rounds from a distance of 6 feet. .38 Special 130 Gr Ball Remington UMC 4.5” 4.75” .38 Special +P 125 Gr JHP 5.25” 5.25” .380 Blazer Brass FMJ 95 Gr 4.25 4.25” .380 Cor Bon 90 Gr JHP 4.25” 4.5” .380 Gold Dot 90 Gr JHP 4.5” 4.75” .380 Buffalo Bore Flat Point Lead 100 Gr 6.25” 6.25” .357 JHP 110 Gr JHP Passed through .357 Buffalo Bore 180 Gr Solid Lead Passed Through The .38 special JHP were the only bullets that had any significant expansions. (5/32" and 6/32") The .380 Cor Bon and Gold Dots had almost no expansion and and only marginally better penetration than the Blazer Brass ball ammo. The Buffalo Bore bullets had no expansion but had the most penetration of all the .380 or .38 special rounds. IMO, none of these rounds really has an objectionable recoil. The .357 rounds all passed through - not enough phone books. I carry the 180 grain Buffalo Bore in my .357 when I am working in swamps in the south, but this was the first time I had shot any of it. It has a lot of recoil. Not something you want to shoot a lot of. I am now sold upon the Buffalo Bore .380 as my carry round. It would appear to me that it is as good as or better than the standard .38 Special or +P loadings. This test would have been better if I'd had some .38 Special +P Ball ammo, but that doesn't seem to be available around here right now. I'm betting that Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P would seriously outperform the Mustang, but I didn't have any to test.

April 16th, 2008, 06:40 PM	#45
Dusty Miller Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Escalon, CA Posts: 335	From the Chuck Hawks Handgun Cartridge Power Chart-Condensed Verson. A 90 gr. Hydra-Shok launched at 1007 fps from a 3.6" barreled .380 ACP gives you 69% one shot stops. A 158 gr. LHP launched at 996 fps from a 4" 38 spec. gives you 78% one shot stops. The penetration advantage goes to the 38 spec. due to the added bullet weight but in my opinion the difference between 69% and 78% one shot stops ain't much. I want something that gives me 90% or more one shot stops. I've posted here before asking folks if they would like to wake up at 3:00 a.m. to face some drug crazed ex-con weighing in at 250# and place three perfect COM shots on the guy using a .380 ACP or if they'd rather be using a .44 mag that can easily launch a 180 gr. JHP at 1400 fps. Hey, you pays your money and you takes your choice. It ain't nuth'n but your life and the lives of your loved ones!