crue2009

not long ago,someone on here posted an article stating the .380 has a slightly higher, one shot stop percentage over the .38spl....is this info accurate? everthing i've ever read says the 38spl is superior..what's your take on this?

MattLarson

"One shot stop" statistics are somewhat less useful than knowing what color unicorns the round works best against.

So many variables - shot placement, clothing, assailant mental state, assailant pharmacological state - make this a useless point of argument,IMHO.

.22, .38, .45, 12 Ga., phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range, it doesn't matter. The tactic never changes. Shoot until the threat stops.

Matt

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Landric

There are statistics out there to prove anything that one wants to prove. I'm sure its possible to "prove" through the use of statistics that the .22 LR is a better stopper than the .50 BMG, but I wouldn't believe it no matter who posted it.

I agree that one shot stop percentages are pretty much meaningless (though the books on the subject are an interesting read). However, the .38 Special pushes a bullet sometimes more than twice as heavy as a .380 bullet, at an equal or higher velocity. Which would seem to be more effective?

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-Landric

"The Engine could still smile...it seemed to scare them" -Felix

searcher 45

Check out this web sight about shooting ballistic gel. Many calibers are compared, and if shooting ballistic jello can tell the story then here is some food for consideration.


.38 Special

Bart

.380..? When in doubt, empty the magazine.

BikerRN

Evan will be the first to tell you that it was a measure of quantitative analysis and never a theory of tactics. Shoot until the threat stops.

Evan Marshall, along with Ed Sanow were the ones that came up with the One Shot Stop percentages. It was designed as a way of measuring a bullet's effectiveness in real life encounters. Prior to that we had, goat and "old wife's tales and second hand information.

Biker

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If I knew I was going to get in to a gunfight I most ceratinly wouln't bring a handgun or two, and I don't know any smart person that does.

Marvin Knox

Street statistics tell us nothing of value that can't be better gained from tests in gel through various coverings. The variables on the street make those figures virtually meaningless.

Back to .380 ACP vs. 38 spl. - How could a lighter bullet, traveling at the same speed as a heavier bullet perform better with the same medium of test? The only possible answer would be that the .380 was using a vastly superior bullet design to the one used in the 38.

Come to think of it - there is another answer! The guy testing the 38 could have been using a vastly inferior aiming technique and missed the target completely.

Stoble

If I was betting money, I would always bet on the 38. Bullet weight helps with the penetration and the 380 is a weak performer due to not going deep enough. Sometimes studies don't ever evaluate the 380 as the researcher begins with the 9mm. Also, the 38 Special is usually where defense begins for many with a revolver. When was an officer's primary exposed gun in the U.S. a 380? Of course the 38 Special was carried for many many years as such. Lay the two caliber rounds side by side and you will see which probably has the advantage.

Jackle1886

Anything worth shooting once is worth shooting twice.

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stoprilshoot

.38 special +P is very close to 9mm, the .380 not so much.