{"id":2539,"date":"2021-03-24T15:43:22","date_gmt":"2021-03-24T15:43:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/?p=2539"},"modified":"2021-03-05T15:44:34","modified_gmt":"2021-03-05T15:44:34","slug":"38-special-vs-9mm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/38-special-vs-9mm\/","title":{"rendered":"38 Special vs 9mm &#8211; What Does Each Caliber Offer?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Two of the most popular cartridges for everyday carry weapons are the 38 Special and the 9mm Luger. Is there a conclusive winner in the 38 Special vs 9mm debate? Or do they each offer distinct advantages? The fact that they are both so popular would suggest the latter case is case.<\/p>\n<p>Too many articles like these get bogged down with long-winded histories of the cartridges they compare. We\u2019re going to assume you\u2019re not particularly interested in how the Spanish-American War led to the development of the 38 Spl. You probably don&#8217;t care what color socks Georg Luger liked to wear, either. You want to know what kind of ammo you should chamber for self-defense. So, we\u2019re going to compare the ballistic performance, stopping power, recoil and other attributes of the 38 Spl and the 9mm.<\/p>\n<h2>38 Special vs. 9mm<\/h2>\n<h3>Revolver vs. Semi-Automatic<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload aligncenter wp-image-3746 size-full\" title=\"38 special and 9mm ammo side by side\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-vs-9mm-ammo-next-to-each-other.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-vs-9mm-ammo-next-to-each-other.jpg\" alt=\"38 special ammo next to Federal 9mm ammo at a shooting range\" width=\"1500\" height=\"763\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271500%27%20height%3D%27763%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201500%20763%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271500%27%20height%3D%27763%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-vs-9mm-ammo-next-to-each-other-200x102.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-vs-9mm-ammo-next-to-each-other-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-vs-9mm-ammo-next-to-each-other-400x203.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-vs-9mm-ammo-next-to-each-other-600x305.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-vs-9mm-ammo-next-to-each-other-768x391.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-vs-9mm-ammo-next-to-each-other-800x407.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-vs-9mm-ammo-next-to-each-other-1024x521.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-vs-9mm-ammo-next-to-each-other-1200x610.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-vs-9mm-ammo-next-to-each-other.jpg 1500w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It wouldn\u2019t be fair to compare the 38 Spl and the 9mm without first noting that they\u2019re designed for very different handguns.<\/p>\n<p>The 38 Spl is a rimmed cartridge, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/9mm-ammo-for-sale\">9mm<\/a> is rimless. A round\u2019s case has a rim to make certain it chambers correctly in a revolver\u2019s cylinder. There are some semi-auto weapons designed for rimmed cartridges, although they aren\u2019t considered terribly reliable. There are likewise revolvers chambered for rimless cartridges, but for the most part rounds like 9mm, 40 S&amp;W and 45 ACP are meant for semi-automatic weapons.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you should prefer the 38 Spl or 9mm boils down nearly entirely to whether you want to carry a revolver or a semi-auto. Snub-nosed revolvers chambered for 38 Spl are massively popular because they are so lightweight yet still pack a lot of punch. The key advantage revolvers offer is their exceptional reliability. They have very few moving parts. They are virtually unable to jam. If a cartridge fails to fire, you just pull the trigger to move on to the next one. That\u2019s the kind of peace of mind many people demand from their carry weapons.<\/p>\n<p>A well-maintained semi-auto can still be extremely reliable, of course. They can also be very lightweight, such as the Glock 43 which weighs only 17.95 ounces when empty. Even that very small handgun has a 6-round magazine, which is one round more than a 38 Spl snub-nose like the S&amp;W Model 642. Semi-autos tend to be easier to reload as well. Although, you shouldn&#8217;t overlook the convenience of a moon clip or speed loader if you ever need to quickly reload a revolver.<\/p>\n<p>We could go on and on when we really only want to make the point we\u2019ve already raised. We advise you pick 38 Special if you want to carry a revolver. If you&#8217;re committed to semi-auto pistols, pick 9mm.<\/p>\n<h3>Cartridge Dimensions<\/h3>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-43\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-43\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><\/td><th class=\"column-2\">38 Special<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">9mm<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Parent case<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">38 Long Colt<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">7.65x21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Case type<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Rimmed, straight<br \/>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Rimless, tapered<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Bullet diameter<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0.357 in<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.355 in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Neck diameter<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0.379 in<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.380 in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Base diameter<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0.379 in<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.391 in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Rim diameter<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0.440 in<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.392 in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Rim thickness<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0.058 in<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.050 in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-9\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Case length<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">1.155 in<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.754 in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-10\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Overall length<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">1.550 in<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">1.169 in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-11\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Case capacity<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">23.4 gr H2O<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">13.30 gr H2O<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-12\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Maximum pressure<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">17,500 psi<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">35,000 psi<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-43 from cache -->\n<p>We can note a few important things when we compare these two rounds\u2019 dimensions. First off, their bullet diameters are nearly identical. This could make their ballistic and terminal performance similar to some degree, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/.38-spl-ammo-for-sale\">38 Special ammo<\/a> and 9mm by no means share the same bullet. A 38 Spl bullet typically weighs between 110 and 158 grains, while a 9mm bullet nearly always weighs 115, 124 or 147 grains. (For reference, there are 437.5 grains in an ounce.)<\/p>\n<p>More importantly, the 38 Spl is about 50 percent longer than the 9mm. Its case accordingly has nearly double the capacity for propellant. In spite of this, the 38 Spl generally doesn\u2019t contain significantly more propellant, and the maximum pressure it\u2019s loaded to is only half that of the 9mm. Here we see the interesting phenomenon where a cartridge is bigger but not necessarily more powerful!<\/p>\n<h3>38 Special vs. 9mm Ballistics<\/h3>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-44\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-44\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><\/td><th class=\"column-2\">38 Spl - Prvi - 158gr LRN (7.7\" barrel)<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">9mm - Prvi 124gr LRN (4\" barrel)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Muzzle velocity (fps)<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">902<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">1132<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Velocity @ 25 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">879<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">1077<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Velocity @ 50 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">857<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">1032<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Velocity @ 75 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">837<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">994<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Velocity @ 100 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">818<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">961<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">G1 ballistic coefficient<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0.15<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.145<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Drop @ 25 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">1.43<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-9\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Drop @ 50 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0.02<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.02<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-10\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Drop @ 75 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">-4.34<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">-2.96<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-11\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Drop @ 100 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">-11.81<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">-8.13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-12\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Muzzle energy (ft lbs)<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">285<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">353<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-13\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Energy @ 25 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">271<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">320<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-14\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Energy @ 50 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">258<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">293<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-15\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Energy @ 75 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">246<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">272<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-16\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Energy @ 100 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">235<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">255<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-17\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">38 Spl - Hornady Critical Defense 110gr FTX (4\" barrel)<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">9mm - Hornady Critical Defense 115gr FTX (4\" barrel)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-18\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Muzzle velocity (fps)<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">1010<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">1135<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-19\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Velocity @ 25 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">971<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">1074<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-20\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Velocity @ 50 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">938<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">1024<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-21\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Velocity @ 75 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">909<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">983<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-22\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Velocity @ 100 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">882<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">948<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-23\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">G1 ballistic coefficient<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0.131<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.129<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-24\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Drop @ 25 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">1.17<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-25\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Drop @ 50 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0.02<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.01<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-26\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Drop @ 75 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">-3.6<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">-3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-27\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Drop @ 100 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">-9.85<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">-8.26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-28\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Muzzle energy (ft lbs)<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">249<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">329<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-29\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Energy @ 25 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">231<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">294<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-30\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Energy @ 50 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">215<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">268<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-31\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Energy @ 75 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">202<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">247<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-32\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Energy @ 100 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">190<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">230<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-33\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">38 Spl - Remington UMC 130 FMJ<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">9mm Remington UMC 147 FMJ<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-34\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Muzzle velocity (fps)<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">800<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">990<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-35\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Velocity @ 25 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">787<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">964<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-36\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Velocity @ 50 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">775<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">940<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-37\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Velocity @ 75 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">763<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">918<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-38\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Velocity @ 100 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">752<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">898<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-39\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">G1 ballistic coefficient<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0.213<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.182<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-40\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Drop @ 25 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">1.78<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">1.18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-41\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Drop @ 50 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0.02<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.02<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-42\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Drop @ 75 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">-5.34<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">-3.61<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-43\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Drop @ 100 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">-14.44<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">-9.82<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-44\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Muzzle energy (ft lbs)<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">185<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">320<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-45\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Energy @ 25 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">179<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">303<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-46\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Energy @ 50 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">174<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">289<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-47\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Energy @ 75 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">168<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">275<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-48\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Energy @ 100 yds<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">163<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">263<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-44 from cache -->\n<p>Comparing these two rounds\u2019 ballistic performance is a difficult task. A 38 Spl +P round fired in a rifle, for example, will behave incomparably to a subsonic 9mm round fired in a subcompact handgun.<\/p>\n<p>That said, direct your attention to the comparison of the two Hornady loads. These are fairly analogous to one another and both have ballistic data collected from the same length test barrel. You would ideally have the same test barrel length, because then either round\u2019s propellant gasses have roughly the same amount of time to transfer their energy to their bullets.<\/p>\n<p>Right away the 9mm\u2019s in-flight ballistics look a little nicer. It delivers a higher muzzle velocity and in effect a flatter trajectory. The two rounds\u2019 ballistic coefficients (which measures their ability to overcome air resistance in flight, where a higher number is better) are virtually identical, which means they ought to decline in velocity at a similar rate and offer interchangeable resistance to wind deflection.<\/p>\n<p>In practice you would find either round more than accurate enough over the distances you\u2019re likely to fire them over. Sure, people do hunt varmint with the 38 Spl and 9mm at long range. However, both are perfectly serviceable for covering the short distances that self-defense scenarios are likely to play out within.<\/p>\n<h3>Stopping Power<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload aligncenter wp-image-3747 size-full\" title=\"chronograph testing at the range\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/chronograph-testing-38-special-ammo.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/chronograph-testing-38-special-ammo.jpg\" alt=\"testing 38 special revolvers and ammo at the shooting range\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1020\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271500%27%20height%3D%271020%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201500%201020%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271500%27%20height%3D%271020%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/chronograph-testing-38-special-ammo-200x136.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/chronograph-testing-38-special-ammo-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/chronograph-testing-38-special-ammo-400x272.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/chronograph-testing-38-special-ammo-600x408.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/chronograph-testing-38-special-ammo-768x522.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/chronograph-testing-38-special-ammo-800x544.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/chronograph-testing-38-special-ammo-1024x696.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/chronograph-testing-38-special-ammo-1200x816.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/chronograph-testing-38-special-ammo.jpg 1500w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We must preface by saying energy isn\u2019t the only thing that matters when it comes to stopping power. Sectional density (i.e. the ability to penetrate) and terminal ballistics count for a whole lot as well. But <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/muzzle-energy\/\">muzzle energy<\/a> is most important, and the 9mm is certainly the better round when it comes to that.<\/p>\n<p>The amount of energy a bullet can transfer to its target is determined solely by its mass and velocity. We\u2019ll spare you the physics behind that claim, but you can clearly see why a 115 grain bullet traveling at 1,135 fps is going to outclass a lighter bullet that\u2019s traveling more slowly. Even when a 38 Spl bullet is substantially heavier, its muzzle velocity becomes much less than even the heaviest 9mm bullet\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>The very minimum amount of energy recommended for self-defense is 220 ft lbs. Really, 300 ft lbs or greater is what you want. In this regard the 9mm consistently delivers the minimum acceptable energy at any point throughout 100 yards, while the 38 Spl may dip beneath 220 ft lbs at half that distance. And when you consider that a snub-nosed revolver\u2019s barrel may be less than 2\u201d long, the amount of energy the 38 Spl is able to transfer throughout impact and penetration becomes even lower still.<\/p>\n<h3>Recoil<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cRecoil\u201d is the twenty-five cent word for \u201ckick.\u201d You would ideally have zero recoil when you fire a weapon, because then your barrel wouldn\u2019t move and your sights would remain right where you left them when you pulled the trigger. But all guns have recoil \u2013 at least they will until we stop using lasers for nonsense like corrective eye surgery.<\/p>\n<p>So which round has less recoil? That\u2019s hard to say, because the amount of recoil you\u2019ll actually experience firing either is bound to be subjective. We can measure recoil energy in foot-pound force to give you some objective comparison, though. Recoil energy is determined by bullet weight, propellant weight, firearm weight and muzzle velocity. For our purposes let\u2019s assume all the rounds compared earlier have five grains of propellant, and we are firing a 1.59 lb <a href=\"https:\/\/www.armscor.com\/firearms\/ria\/revolver-series\/m206-38-special\/\">38 Spl Rock Island Armory M206<\/a> and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/glock-17-gen-5-review\/\">1.55 lb 9mm Glock 17<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-45\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-45\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><\/td><th class=\"column-2\">Recoil Energy (ft lbs)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">38 Special Prvi Partizan 158gr LRN<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">5.6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr FTX<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">3.69<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">38 Special Remington UMC 130 FMJ<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">3.32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">9mm Prvi Partizan 124gr LRN<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">5.6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">9mm Hornady Critical Defense 115gr FTX<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">4.95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">9mm Remington UMC 147 FMJ<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">5.95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-45 from cache -->\n<p>Here we see the downside of the 9mm\u2019s generally faster muzzle velocity \u2013 it tends to deliver more of that recoil which throws your aim off with every trigger pull. But it\u2019s not very much to worry about. Neither the 9mm nor the 38 Spl generates an uncomfortable amount of recoil. We don&#8217;t find either difficult to fire rapidly and with great precision, either.<\/p>\n<h3>Price &amp; Availability<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload aligncenter wp-image-3748 size-full\" title=\"revolver cylinder with 38 spl ammo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-loaded-into-a-ruger-match-champion.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-loaded-into-a-ruger-match-champion.jpg\" alt=\"38 spl ammo loaded into the cylinder of a Ruger revolver\" width=\"1582\" height=\"920\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271582%27%20height%3D%27920%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201582%20920%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271582%27%20height%3D%27920%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-loaded-into-a-ruger-match-champion-200x116.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-loaded-into-a-ruger-match-champion-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-loaded-into-a-ruger-match-champion-400x233.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-loaded-into-a-ruger-match-champion-600x349.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-loaded-into-a-ruger-match-champion-768x447.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-loaded-into-a-ruger-match-champion-800x465.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-loaded-into-a-ruger-match-champion-1024x595.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-loaded-into-a-ruger-match-champion-1200x698.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-loaded-into-a-ruger-match-champion-1536x893.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.ammoforsale.com\/ammo-club\/media\/38-special-loaded-into-a-ruger-match-champion.jpg 1582w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1582px) 100vw, 1582px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As the much smaller cartridge, it\u2019s only fair that the 9mm should cost as little as half as much as a 38 Spl. There\u2019s simply less lead and copper in it, and its lighter weight means it costs less to ship as well. It&#8217;s not uncommon for 9mm ammo to run 20-30% less than 38 special.<\/p>\n<p>The 9mm is also the most popular handgun cartridge in the world, so it\u2019s necessarily easier to find as well. Not to say you\u2019ll have to search high and low for 38 Spl, but you can expect slightly less variety.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re not sure where else to shoehorn this very small point in: The 38 Spl is also extremely useful for when you\u2019d like to save money or enjoy less recoil while firing a 357 Magnum revolver. The Ruger Match Champion in the photo above is a 357 Magnum revolver we shoot 38 special out of. It is compatible with 357 Magnum firearms. But never, under any circumstances load 357 Magnum in a firearm chambered solely for 38 Spl. That&#8217;s a good way to lose a hand.<\/p>\n<h3>Takeaway<\/h3>\n<p>The 9mm is king for a reason. If it\u2019s the only round you ever fire you will still benefit from a huge selection of firearms, stopping power that can effectively neutralize a threat up to 100 yards away (or farther), and stellar accuracy.<\/p>\n<p>The 38 Special offers somewhat less stopping power than the 9mm. The snub-nosed revolvers frequently chambered for it only make its in-flight and terminal ballistics worse by comparison. Yet you could very well argue that those same snubbies\u2019 tiny size and awesome reliability more than make up for their shortcomings.<\/p>\n<p>In a perfect world you would carry both a 9mm and a 38 Spl. Some of us carry a full-size semi-auto to draw first, and a snubbie in an ankle holster for a backup. But if you had to pick a winner in the 38 Special vs. 9mm debate, then we\u2019d recommend you entrust your personal safety to America\u2019s number one pistol cartridge, the 9mm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Two of the most popular cartridges for everyday carry weapons are the 38 Special and the 9mm Luger. Is there a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":3745,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2539","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ammo-insights"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>38 Special vs 9mm - What Does Each Caliber Offer?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"An in-depth look at the capabilities of the 38 special vs 9mm calibers. 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