How lethal is .38 Special?

The.38 Special is a highly lethal, effective, and reliable defensive round, historically serving as a standard police cartridge for decades. It is more than twice as deadly as.22 caliber, with, for example, high,, +P loads and, hollow, points offering significant, stopping power,. While less, powerful than, a.357, Magnum, its moderate, recoil allows for, accurate, shot placement.
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Is .38 Special more powerful than 9mm?

Generally, the 9mm Luger is more powerful than the.38 Special, offering higher velocity, muzzle energy, and penetration due to higher chamber pressures, making it the go-to for modern self-defense; however, the.38 Special excels in reliable, smaller revolvers (wheelguns), and high-performance +P loads can narrow the gap, but the 9mm's capacity and easier reloading often make it the preferred choice overall.
 
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Is 38 Special ok for self-defense?

Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP is the best 38 Special ammo for self-defense overall because it's made by a trusted brand, uses a unique bullet, and hits the target hard and fast. The bad guys won't know what hit them!
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How powerful is .38 Special?

The.38 Special is a classic, mild-recoiling revolver cartridge, offering moderate power (around 200-300 ft-lbs energy) suitable for self-defense and target shooting, especially with modern +P loads that boost energy closer to early 9mm levels (around 900-1000 fps from longer barrels) for better stopping power, though standard loads are milder. Its main strengths are its reliability in revolvers, low recoil, and versatility, making it effective for personal defense and a great practice round for the much more powerful.357 Magnum.
 
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Why do Mexicans like .38 super?

The.38 Super is popular in Mexico mainly due to strict gun laws that ban civilian ownership of military calibers like 9mm and.45 ACP, making the non-military.38 Super a legal choice for defense and sport, especially in classic 1911 platforms, where its power and penetration (even through car doors) were highly valued and it became a cultural icon, often seen in ornate, embellished versions.
 
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The .38 Special Is The Best Handgun Cartridge. PERIOD

What pistol do Navy SEALs carry in 2025?

While the iconic SIG Sauer P226 (MK25) remains a trusted staple, Navy SEALs also integrate newer options like the Glock 19 (Mk 27), offering a mix of proven reliability and modern features for different mission needs, with the P226's corrosion resistance for maritime use and the Glock's consistent trigger and polymer frame for lighter carry, though the SEALs are moving towards Glocks as a long-term replacement.
 
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Is 38 Super more powerful than 45 ACP?

Yes, the.38 Super is generally considered "stronger" in terms of velocity, energy, and penetration, especially against barriers, due to its higher pressure rating; however, the.45 ACP's heavier bullet often gives it superior "stopping power" and impact on soft tissue, making the "better" choice dependent on the intended use, such as self-defense versus competition.
 
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Will a .38 stop a bear?

38 special will stop a bear. Feel free to carry it but bear mace is the smart choice. I've seen info that bear mace is a solid near 100% stop, handguns are less than 50%. So carry for cougars and people, not bears.
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What pistol do Navy SEALs prefer?

Navy SEALs historically used the SIG Sauer P226 MK25 as their standard sidearm for years, known for its reliability in harsh conditions, but they have transitioned to the lighter, more modern polymer-framed Glock 19, which offers better performance in saltwater environments and is lighter, though P226s are still found in use. SEALs often have broad firearm choice, but the P226 was the iconic choice, while the Glock 19 is the newer standard for its practical advantages.
 
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Is 38 Special a girl gun?

38 Special was touted as a perfect women's gun because it was small, light and super simple to operate.
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Why do police no longer use revolvers?

Police stopped using revolvers primarily because semi-automatic pistols offer higher capacity, faster reloads, and better firepower, addressing the threat from increasingly armed criminals, while technological advancements made autos more reliable and safer, overcoming earlier issues like jamming, with major shifts happening from the 1980s into the 1990s. High-profile incidents, officer preference for better performance, and the evolving nature of crime (gangs, active shooters) pushed departments to upgrade from the traditional six-shooter.
 
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Why do people use .38 Special?

Known for its accuracy and manageable recoil, the.38 Special remains one of the most popular revolver cartridges in the world more than a century after its introduction.
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What is the most effective caliber for home defense?

Looking at the data and using our personal experiences, we're convinced that the 9mm Luger is the best all-around handgun cartridge for self-defense.
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What is a 38 Special equivalent to?

The.38 Special is nearly identical in bullet diameter to the.357 Magnum, allowing.38 Special rounds to be fired in.357 Magnum revolvers (but not vice versa), while its performance and size are often compared to the popular semi-automatic pistol round, the 9mm Luger, though the 9mm generally offers more affordable ammo and diverse options for autoloaders. It also shares lineage with the older.38 Long Colt, but with a longer case and more power, and it's distinct from the smaller.380 ACP.
 
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Does a 38 Special kick?

RECOIL & SHOOTABILITY

38 Special generally exhibits less recoil than. 357 Magnum.. 38 Special's milder recoil makes it more manageable, especially for new or recoil-sensitive shooters. It provides a comfortable shooting experience, making it a popular choice for concealed carry and practice sessions.
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Is a 38 Special a good carry gun?

38 special was designed in 1898 and the 45 acp in 1904 making them similar in age and both created for military use and later on personal defense. And both are considered great choices for concealed carry firearms.
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What is the 3 foot rule Navy SEALs?

The Navy SEAL 3-foot rule, or "three-foot world," is a mindset of focusing only on what's immediately within your control (your actions, attitude, effort) and ignoring external distractions, noise, and uncontrollable outcomes, a concept popularized by SEAL Mark Owen in No Hero, helping overcome overwhelm by breaking big challenges into small, manageable steps. It's about staying present and effective by owning your immediate space, whether on a rock wall or in business.
 
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What gun did Chris Kyle use?

Chris Kyle used various sniper rifles, most famously the McMillan TAC-338 in.338 Lapua Magnum for long-range shots, but also the Mk 11/SR-25 (7.62 NATO) and Mk 12 DMR (5.56 NATO) for different combat scenarios, plus a Remington 700 variant in.300 Win Mag. For personal defense, he relied on a Springfield TRP 1911 pistol.
 
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What is the 60% rule navy seal?

👉🏼 The Navy SEAL 40% Rule: When your mind starts telling you that you're physically or emotionally maxed out, you're not actually done. You're usually only operating at about 40% of your true capacity. That means you still have 60% left if you believe you do.
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What do Alaskans carry for bear defense?

A rifle of at least. 30 caliber or a 12-guage shotgun with slugs is recommended as defense against a bear. Alaska law makes provisions for shooting a bear in self defense if there is no alternative and the attack was unprovoked.
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Is there a difference between .38 and .38 Special?

The main difference is that ".38" often refers to the older, weaker.38 S&W (Smith & Wesson) cartridge, while ".38 Special" is a more powerful, longer case version, designed for modern revolvers, offering better performance and being much more common today; they are not interchangeable, as the.38 S&W is shorter and slightly wider, and firing it in a.38 Special gun risks pressure issues, while the Special won't fit in an old S&W.
 
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Why did the FBI stop using 40 S&W?

In 2015, the FBI announced they were going back to 9mm ammunition, citing advancements in ballistic technology and increased accuracy in a gunfight. The FBI also found that.40 S&W rounds were causing excessive wear on pistols and were harder to control for some agents.
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What caliber handgun has the best stopping power?

So, the answer is simple, right? Everyone should buy a magnum-powered handgun in. 357 or larger caliber and feel completely secure that he or she has the best stopping power.
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Why is 45 ACP called the Lord's caliber?

The.45 ACP is called "the Lord's caliber" due to its legendary stopping power, massive popularity, and association with iconic firearms like the M1911 pistol, giving it an almost divine reputation among gun enthusiasts for its effectiveness in neutralizing threats, signifying its "righteous" impact.
 
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What is a 38 Super comparable to?

38 super offers power midway between the 9mm and. 357 Magnum/. 357 SIG. It's a caliber with an interesting history and solid ballistics.
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