J-Frame .38 Special

[dennishoddy]

I'll agree with Kurts experience. I got a .38 Davis Derringer w/2" barrel in a trade several years. Shooting at my 55 gal burn barrels behind the barn, it only dented them. Never penetrated. The .22RF will go through one side and sometimes out the back. I'd have more faith using a .22 than a .38 standard velocity.

 

[Scott Hearn]

I got to do some chrono work today that turned out kinda interesting for comparison.

My G33 running factory Sig Sauer 125 grain V-Crown JHP is basically identical to my G19 running Winchester 127grain +P+ Ranger T. Same exact USPSA power factor (160) with the .357Sig having 455lbs of energy vs. the 9mm with longer barrel coming in at 446lbs.

I checked my .38 snubbie data and the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain "Short Barrel" load runs basically exactly what Speer says it does.

Here's what I got in (ave fps):

S&W 442 = 856
LCR = Didn't test
S&W 66 (2.5" barrel) = 862
Colt Detective Special = 860

Pretty anemic to the autos. If I ever carry another .38 snubbie it will be with the Speer Gold Dot short barrel load. That bullet is designed specifically for them with a lighter jacket and much larger cavity than their regular Gold Dots, they are completely different animals.

I got 147PF and 354 lbs of energy with Federal 147 +P HST out of my 9 Shield. ETA: I was going to test some +P+ loads out of the Shield but ran off and forgot them.

If you are wondering I get 195 PF and 536lbs of energy with my .357 XTP handloads out of my 2.5" model 66. And that's just the starting load right out of the book. VihtaVuori's book...

 

[poopgiggle]

srspost that has nothing to do with Eva Green:

I don't think the threat has changed so much as technology has changed.

When the J-frame was introduced, what was it competing with? Small automatics in 380 and smaller; a small 380 auto, even shooting Buffalo Bore 380 +P, barely matches the lowest PFs in Scott's test. I imagine that ballistics of the day were even worse.

Nowadays there are so many people making reliable 9mm & 40 sub-subcompacts that the J-frame is just outclassed.

 

[Matt1911]

The J-frame may be obsolete in many ways, but I think it can still play a very good defensive role in a close contact encounter.

 

[KurtM]

No doubt, a J frame beats waving your dick at them, but it is the same size as a lot of really good defensive pistols that hold a lot more rounds and have more effective ammo. Shear sex appeal though a J frame wins hands down.....mmhehehe

 

[Troy]

I remember watching an episode of COPS years ago. The only thing I remember about the episode some good sized guy got shot by a family member. It was 38, shot him right about where the shoulder and chest meet. You could tell he was in a bit of discomfort, but he was still walking, talking and moving his hands around and irritated. He wasn't even the attacker, I think had he been the attacker, that 38 would have just ticked him off. I wasn't much of a gun guy, but obviously, the effectiveness of the 38, or lack there of had a lasting impression on me. I know shot placement has a lot to do with it, but I've had more grimacing looks on my face after stubbing my toe than a guy with a 38 bullet in him.