Is a .38 more powerful than a 9mm?

No, the 9mm Luger is generally stronger (more powerful) than the .38 Special because it operates at much higher pressures, resulting in greater velocity and muzzle energy, though the .38 Special excels in reliability and fits revolvers well. The 9mm's higher internal pressure (around 35,000 psi vs. .38 Special's ~17,000 psi) gives it a significant ballistic advantage, delivering more energy, especially with modern defensive hollow points.
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Is .38 more powerful than 9mm?

No, the 9mm is generally more powerful than the standard .38 Special due to higher pressure, velocity, and energy, but the .38 Special offers advantages in revolvers, reliability, and potentially easier shooting in smaller guns, with "+P" loads bridging the gap significantly. While 9mm excels in energy and capacity for semi-autos, the .38 Special (especially +P) remains effective and is favored for its simplicity in revolvers.
 
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Is a 38 a powerful handgun?

By modern standards, the .38 Special fires a medium-sized bullet at rather low speeds. In the case of target loads, a 148 gr (9.6 g) bullet is propelled to only 690 ft/s (210 m/s).
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Is 9 mm the same as 38?

No, .38 Special and 9mm are not the same, though they use very similar bullet diameters (around .355-.357 inches); the 9mm (9x19mm) is typically rimless for semi-autos, while the .38 Special is a rimmed cartridge for revolvers, has a longer case, and generally offers less power than modern 9mm loads, making them distinct in function and performance.
 
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Is a .38 good for self defense?

A revolver chambered for 38 Special is a good tool for defending oneself; it has worked for police officers for over a century. The trick is to use rounds loaded with the best hollowpoints that are optimized for defense; Remington Golden Sabre, Federal HST, and others of that sort.
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"9mm is ALWAYS More Powerful than .38 Special" - Except for When it's NOT - (😡 Hairy Canary Time)

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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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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Which is cheaper, .38 or 9mm ammo?

Cost of Shooting

There's no sugarcoating this: . 38 Super is more expensive to shoot than 9mm.
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Which round has better stopping power?

1. Hollow point bullets are superior to round-nosed ones. When they enter the body, they spread out into a star-shaped pattern that enhances the damage caused by the wound channel. For this reason, jacketed hollow point (JHP) ammo is the only realistic choice for those who carry a handgun for self-defense.
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Which is more powerful, 9mm or 357 magnum?

Muzzle energy is a critical aspect of bullet performance, representing the kinetic energy the bullet carries as it exits the gun's barrel and muzzle. The . 357 Magnum stands out for its higher muzzle energy compared to the 9mm.
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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 is the #1 concealed carry gun?

There's no single "#1" concealed carry pistol, but top contenders consistently include the SIG Sauer P365 (best-selling, high capacity micro-compact), Glock 19 (gold standard compact, reliable), and Springfield Armory Hellcat (high-capacity micro-compact), with others like the S&W Shield Plus and Walther PDP Compact also highly rated for size, capacity, and performance, but the best choice depends on personal fit, feel, and needs.
 
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What pistol do Navy SEALs carry?

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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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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What caliber is a 9mm equal to?

A 9mm caliber refers to a bullet diameter of approximately 9 millimeters, which is equivalent to about .355 inches, with the most common type being the 9x19mm Parabellum (also known as 9mm Luger or 9mm NATO). While the name denotes the metric bullet diameter, there are various 9mm cartridges (like 9mm Makarov or .380 ACP, which is 9x17mm) that are not interchangeable, but all have bullets around the 9mm (or .355 inch) size.
 
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What is the most lethal pistol caliber?

Lethality of the Caliber

Larger handgun calibers, though used less frequently, tend to be more lethal. For example, . 357 caliber has an 88% higher fatality rate compared to non-fatal shootings;. 45 caliber, a 67% higher fatality rate.
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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 a .38 or .357 more powerful?

Modern 357 Magnum 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, which fires the same bullet weight at 755 FPS and has a muzzle energy of 200 ft-lbs, which is less than a 45 ACP.
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Which has more recoil: .38 or 9mm?

All things considered as equal as possible, the 38 Special will have less recoil than the 9mm because of its lower pressure (therefore lower velocity).
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Do cops carry 9mm or 45?

Police overwhelmingly use 9mm handguns today for their capacity, lower cost, and effectiveness, though some specialized units or older departments might still use .45 ACP (often in 1911s) or .40 S&W, but 9mm is the dominant trend, driven by federal agency adoption and modern firearm technology.
 
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Will a 380 stop an attacker?

Yes, a .380 ACP can stop an attacker, especially with proper shot placement at close range, but it's considered less powerful than rounds like 9mm; effectiveness hinges on quality ammunition (often full metal jacket/ball for penetration over expanding hollow points in winter) and your ability to shoot accurately under stress, as it's generally more challenging to master than larger calibers. While some argue it's marginal, others find it effective, noting most self-defense shootings involve few rounds, making shot placement and shot quantity crucial.
 
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What does the Bible say about carrying a gun?

The Bible doesn't directly address modern firearms or "gun control" but provides principles for self-defense, authority, and peacemaking, leading to varied Christian interpretations: some emphasize protecting life (citing Old Testament soldiers like David, and Jesus' instruction to buy swords in Luke 22) and see gun ownership as a valid self-defense tool, while others focus on "turning the other cheek" (Matthew 5) and trusting God, stressing that any force must be for defense, not vengeance, and always under civil law and God's will. Key points involve balancing self-preservation with love for neighbor, obeying governing authorities (Romans 13), and ensuring the heart's motive is protection, not aggression. 
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Why doesn't the military carry glocks?

You're wondering why Glock lost to Sig Sauer. It boils down to a few key points. Sig Sauer's modular design outshone Glock's, offering the flexibility the military sought. They also pitched a deal $103 million cheaper than Glock's, which certainly didn't hurt their case.
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Why not carry a revolver?

Revolvers are thick and can be difficult to conceal

If you carry IWB (inside the waistband) you're going to notice that thickness. Even if you pocket carry, that bulky cylinder might stand out like a sore thumb, depending on your choice of clothing and pocket holster.
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