What makes a 38 Special so special?

38 special designs contained black powder. Thus, they had lower pressures and slower muzzle velocities. The design has since been changed to a smokeless propellant, but that hasn’t changed the mechanics significantly. A bullet from this cartridge won’t expand, as is the case with others that are smokeless.

Why is a 38 Special better than a 9mm?

38 Special only produces 264 foot-pounds of force (147-grain bullet at 900 feet per second out of a 4-inch barrel), while standard pressure 9mm can produce 365 foot-pounds of force (124-grain bullet at 1,150 feet per second). This is 38.25\% more energy at the muzzle in favor of the 9mm.

Why is 38 Special ammo so expensive?

38 Special Ammo Prices Went Through the Roof. In the case of ammunition, demand had so exceeded supply that consumers looking to stock up on extra bullets may have found little to actually buy. …

Is 38 Special a good carry gun?

Some people like the old way of doing things, and for just such a person . 38 Special revolvers are a great option of concealed carry gun. 38 Special guns that are good for concealed carry revolvers and other uses, including target shooting, home defense and so on.

Does a 38 Special have stopping power?

38 special yields very limited stopping power. Yes, the peewees may be better than no gun, but not by much.

Is a 38 Special good for home defense?

The virtues of the . 38 Special are that it’s effective in a self-defense capacity in service-size pistols. It doesn’t produce excessive recoil, so most shooters can accurately shoot it. That made it very popular with police departments and civilians.

What is the best 38 Special pistol?

7 Best . 38 Special Revolvers For CCW

• Model 638 Smith and Wesson . 38 Special Revolver.
• Charter Arms Undercover . 38 Special Gun.
• Smith and Wesson Model 10: The First . 38 Special Revolver.
• LCR Ruger . 38 Special Revolver.
• S&W M&P Bodyguard . 38 Special Revolver With Laser.
• Taurus 605: The New Taurus .
• Chiappa Rhino.

What ammo does a 38 Special revolver use?

The . 38 Special comes in a wide variety of bullet types from (FMJ) full metal jacket to (SWC) semi-wadcutter. As with most other common calibers, the FMJ and MC bullets are used for range training and qualifications.