Is 38 +P as good a defensive round as 9mil?

[gnbrotz]

Does this mean that the OC job-hunting is not going well?

Haven't even started it yet.

[thanker92]

Back to the OP: .38+p is about equal to 9MM in most cases. (How's that for a cop out answer?)

This "discussion" got me thinking..... which has more power: a .22LR or a slingshot? Anyone know the balistics of various "slingshots"?
I'd be willing to bet that, down through history, more people have been wounded and killed by the slingshot!
(Sorry about the hi-jack)

[orionz06]

back on topic-
here is a link to a handgun ballistics chart

http://waterguy.us/handgun.htm

some interesting info there.

Energy is about as useless as determining effectiveness as a .22lr is at self defense.

Energy tells us nothing about what the round being fired will do to a bad guy, other than the initial kinetic energy is has at the muzzle. We should be looking for penetration depth, expansion, and expansion against clothing.

[kunsunoke]

Im not into ballistic comparisons so Ill just ask you experts. Is a good 38+P hollow point as effective/more effective than 9 mm HPs for a defensive round?

Assuming that HP rounds of the same grain count and design are flying from equal length barrels I'd say the advantage still goes (slightly) to the 9 para over 38+P.

Once you start factoring in the form factors (5 or 6 shot revolver vs. 10++round semiauto) and the available bullet choices then the pendulum shifts a bit more in favor of the 9 mm.

The .38+P is more than enough knockdown power, though, especially if you're using something like Speer Gold Dots in 125 gr. I'd hate to get hit by one of those.

[RobW]

Yes, but not so fast my friend ;->

The OP specifically said .38+P. Sierra 50th Anniversary Handgun gives a maximum normal pressure load at 367fpe (125gr HP @ 1150fps). The max .357 load with the same bullet is listed at 1500fps and 624fpe. In the right revolver, you can push .38 loads well into .357 territory. Ballistically, I think it is a wash.

so according to the chart:

a 38spl 125gr JHP shot out of a 4" barreled gun, travels 945 feet per second and creates 248 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle.

a 9mm 115gr JHP shot out of a 4" barreled gun, travels 1225 feet per second and creates 383 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle.

There isn't any reference made as to which guns where used when getting this data.
There is less energy wasted with bullets shot through pistols (bottom feeders) than there is with bullets shot through revolvers due to the gap between the cylinder and the beginning of the barrel. I don't know exactly what percentage of energy is lost.

So to finally answer the OP's question, all other things being equal, 9mm is a more effective round than 38spl

[orionz06]

The .38+P is more than enough knockdown power

what is knockdown power?

[thanker92]

"what is knockdown power?"

The power to knock down.

[orionz06]

"what is knockdown power?"

The power to knock down.

I was hoping for someone to try to explain in a little more detail how one can relate power/work/energy into a value of use.

[thanker92]

I was hoping for someone to try to explain in a little more detail how one can relate power/work/energy into a value of use.

Sorry to yank your chain but I try to inject "humor" where I can.
There are a lot of variables in "knockdown" power and a lot of people have tried to quantify it over the years.

[ungawa]

what is knockdown power?

Only works with a .45.

You hold it in your right hand, cross your arms over your chest, and slam into somebody with a running start and a big push from the legs and waist.