The 38 Special Vs the 357 Mag | Winchester Ammunition (2024)
There are two calibers that dominate the concealed carry scene; the 38 Special and its big brother, the 357 Magnum
When shopping for a revolver, which one should you choose?
The 38 Special is a .357-caliber cartridge that was originally developed in 1898. It was originally intended to push a 158-grain bullet by way of black powder. Over the 122 years since the 38 Special was introduced, gun powder and the strength of gun steel evolved, and today Winchester’s 38 Special Silvertip load sends a 110-grain bullet at 945 feet-per-second (FPS), achieving 218 ft.-lbs. of energy at the muzzle.
Unlike rebated-rim cartridges intended for semiautomatic handguns, the 38 Special features a rimmed case that allows it to be safely loaded and extracted in the cylinders of revolvers. The modern 38 Special endures, because it’s a mild recoiling round that has proven itself accurate and effective. It remains likely the world’s most popular revolver round.
In 1934, gun writers Elmer Keith and Phillip Sharpe upped the power of the existing 38 Special by merely adding a heavier dose of smokeless powder to its case. The more powerful round was designed specifically for law enforcement to achieve greater penetration through practical barrier materials. The resulting cartridge was named the 357 Magnum. However, the internal pressures that resulted could dangerously destroy older guns intended for the less powerful 38 Special, so the 357 Magnum’s case was re-designed 1/8th-inch longer to prevent it from being loaded into a 38 Special revolver. Today, Winchester’s 357 Magnum Silvertip round launches a 145-grain bullet at 1290 FPS with 536 ft.-lbs. of energy. That’s more than double the muzzle energy of the 38 Special. Of course, recoil is also nearly double as well.
But here’s the deal: Because the two rounds are loaded with bullets that are the same diameters, but the 357 Magnum merely has a longer case and more powder, the 38 Special cartridge can be safely fired in guns marked 357 Magnum, but not vice-versa. This means that if you purchase a 357 Magnum revolver, you can shoot 38 Special loads in it for practice, then choose the more potent 357 Mag rounds for defense. The downside to buying a 357 Magnum revolver, is that guns designed exclusively for the 38 Special can be made smaller and lighter, so if gun size and weight is your primary concern, the 38 Special might be the better choice.
So, if you are recoil sensitive or want the smallest revolver you can get that still has adequate downrange power, the 38 Special might be the way to go. If you don’t mind a little recoil and believe that a few extra ounces of gun weight is worth nearly double the downrange energy, the 357 Mag is your best bet. And besides, you can always shoot the less expensive, lower-power 38 Specials if you change your mind.
A world leader in delivering innovative products, Winchester is The American Legend, a brand built on integrity, hard work, and a deep focus on its loyal customers.
357 Magnum, or 9×33mmR (as it is known in unofficial metric designation) is a smokeless powder cartridge with a 0.357 in (9.07 mm) bullet diameter. It was created by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, and Douglas B. Wesson of firearm manufacturers Smith & Wesson and Winchester.
ammo is designed to fire a 158-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 1,235 FPS and a target thumping 535 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. Compare that to the 38 Special
38 Special
Despite its name, the caliber of the .38 Special cartridge is actually .357 inches (36 caliber/9.07 mm), with the ".38" referring to the approximate diameter of the loaded brass case.
Today, Winchester's 357 Magnum Silvertip round launches a 145-grain bullet at 1290 FPS with 536 ft. -lbs. of energy. That's more than double the muzzle energy of the 38 Special.
The upside to . 38 Special is that it's cheaper than .357 Magnum (though not by much) and is a very mild cartridge to shoot from a service pistol. Snubbies get a bit snappy, which is partially why a lot of people believe the round-butt medium frame is the better pick for a fighting pistol.
357 Magnum was specifically designed so it cannot be fired from handguns chambered in . 38 Special, but you can shoot .38 Special in a gun chambered in .357 Magnum.
There's usually some difference between technical and commercial denominations of cartridges, and the . 38 Special was called "Special" to underline how it was better than the previous cartridges.
38 Special is enough gun to stop a violent attack should they actually have to use it. The 38 Special was developed by Smith & Wesson at the turn of the 20th Century, and for a long time . 38 Special revolvers filled the holsters of more police officers than any other handgun.
The standard pressure for the . 38 Special is roughly 17,000 pounds-per-square-inch (psi). However, the 9mm Luger has internal pressures of 35,000 psi. It's this higher internal pressure, the result of expansive propellant design and testing, that makes the smaller 9mm more powerful.
38 S&W and .38 Special are not interchangeable, there are some exceptions. This comes with the risk of damaging your gun or potential injury to the shooter. The safest bet is to stick with your gun's designated caliber.
38 special revolver, is ideal for concealed carry. This firearm was designed to meet the needs of new shooters and seasoned professionals alike. It's enjoyable to shoot, easy to carry.
The 9mm caliber is a popular choice for concealed carry due to its manageable recoil, high-capacity magazines, and wide availability of ammunition. It strikes a balance between controllability and effectiveness, making it a versatile option for self-defense.
38 Special is the least powerful cartridge many professionals feel comfortable recommending. There are two distinct classes of . 38 Special loads. A medium-frame, 4-inch barrel revolver with heavy +P loads is a formidable defensive revolver with controllable recoil and excellent wound potential.
Short answer: Yes. The . 357 Magnum cartridge is just a more powerful . 38 Special cartridge, with the Magnum's cartridge case lengthened to prevent it from being fired by .
Dimensions: They have different case lengths and bullet diameters, making them non-interchangeable. Power: The . 38 Special generally offers higher velocity and energy compared to the . 38 S&W, making it more suitable for self-defense and hunting small to medium game.
The magnum shoots a heavier bullet at a higher velocity than the 9mm, and therefore hits with more energy and has a flatter trajectory. However, the 357 does have more felt recoil with most loads.
Time and data have also unquestionably revealed that when compared to these auto-pistol cartridges, the .357 Magnum does a better job at stopping bad guys. Depending on which study you give credence to, its considered to be somewhere between 5 percent and 15 percent more effective.
The 9mm offers a moderate level of muzzle energy, around 340 ft-lbs. While not as powerful as the .357 Magnum, it still provides sufficient energy for self-defense purposes.
It is this accuracy and power, and the versatility of also being capable of using less-expensive, milder . 38 Special ammunition, that makes a . 357 Magnum revolver an excellent gun for many different disciplines, from 20-yard (18 m) precision shooting to long-range falling-plate events.
Address: 743 Stoltenberg Center, Genovevaville, NJ 59925-3119
Phone: +2202978377583
Job: Administration Engineer
Hobby: Surfing, Sailing, Listening to music, Web surfing, Kitesurfing, Geocaching, Backpacking
Introduction: My name is Rubie Ullrich, I am a enthusiastic, perfect, tender, vivacious, talented, famous, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
