Micro / Sub-compact 9mm vs Revolver - Page 3

chaim · March 29, 2013, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimSr

As far as energy being less than 9mm...huh? They are nearly identical balistically with a much better selection of bullet types for your .38.

For those who want proof the 9mm is more powerful (I'm using Speer Gold Dot because it is a popular defensive round, especially out of short barreled handguns):

On the Pocket Guns and Gear blog (aka Mousegunaddict) the blog owner did ballistic gelatin testing of both Speer's short barrel Gold Dot and the "regular" out of a S&W Shield. The SB Gold Dot showed expansion between .586"-.614" in 5 shots, ave 14" penetration, and with average velocity of 1109fps came out to 345ft/lbs of "impact energy". The "regular" God Dot expanded .519-.596", with 15.5" of penetration and 327ft/lbs of energy.

They did the same testing with Speer Gold Dot and SB Gold Dot for .38+P out of a Ruger LCR. The "regular" came out at .551" ave expansion, 12" penetration, and 225ft/lbs of energy. The SB came out at .563-.582" of expansion, 12.5" of penetration, and 221ft/lbs of energy.

Speer's own numbers (out of a 4" barrel so it doesn't account for the fact that revolver calibers often lose more out of a short barrel than auto calibers do) show similar differences. Non-+P 124gr 9mm comes out at 364ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle and 297ft/lbs at 50 yards. The 124gr 9mm+P comes out at 410ft/lbs at the muzzle and 324ft/lbs at 50 yards. The 125gr .38+P comes out at 248ft/lbs at the muzzle (less than the non-+P at 50 yards) and 220ft/lbs at 50 yards.

So, while expansion numbers may be similar, 9mm (both +P and standard) is superior to .38+P in both penetration and energy levels, while a 9mm auto provides less felt recoil than a snub shooting .38+P.

http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2...t-vs-gold.html
http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2...125-grain.html
http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2...-speer-38.html
http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/ammo.aspx

CSG · March 29, 2013, 12:46 PM

I bought an early 442 back when they first came out (non+P). I'd previously carried a Colt Detective Special as an off-duty weapon and liked the smaller size and enclosed hammer which allowed for pocket carry and the ability to shoot through a garment.

Since then, I've tried the Glock 26 and 36 as well as the Kahr PM9. I've come back to the 442 time and again. I carry IWB with an Uncle Mike's. An earlier poster mentioned the fact that in a stress situation, you don't have to think with a revolver in quite the same way as with an autoloader.

However, in spite of the general internet gun board dismissal of the .25, most of the time I carry a Beretta 950BS in a Mika pocket holster loaded with nine rounds of hardball. This is a set-up that's a no-brainer to carry. Everything else has always been a nuisance especially since I'm no longer in law enforcement and live in another state from where I was a LEO.

March 29, 2013, 12:46 PM	#52
CSG Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 1999 Location: Out West Posts: 176	I bought an early 442 back when they first came out (non+P). I'd previously carried a Colt Detective Special as an off-duty weapon and liked the smaller size and enclosed hammer which allowed for pocket carry and the ability to shoot through a garment. Since then, I've tried the Glock 26 and 36 as well as the Kahr PM9. I've come back to the 442 time and again. I carry IWB with an Uncle Mike's. An earlier poster mentioned the fact that in a stress situation, you don't have to think with a revolver in quite the same way as with an autoloader. However, in spite of the general internet gun board dismissal of the .25, most of the time I carry a Beretta 950BS in a Mika pocket holster loaded with nine rounds of hardball. This is a set-up that's a no-brainer to carry. Everything else has always been a nuisance especially since I'm no longer in law enforcement and live in another state from where I was a LEO.