9mm vs. .38 S&W - The Firearms Forum

Teejay9 · 03-10-2009, 08:45 PM

Like to ask a question. I was going through some loose ammo and I noticed that a 9mm and a .38 S&W were about the same size. The .38 has a bigger, heavier slug than the 9mm so why is it disdained? I don't hand load, so I'd appreciate some insight. I've fired both often and haven't noticed too much of a difference. I've had twice as many 9mms as the .38 S&W, so I know that the 9mms have better looking launchers, but is there really that big a difference? Thoughts, please. TJ

Alpo · 03-10-2009, 09:19 PM

The 38 S&W is, historically, loaded in break-top hinge-frame guns. Not very strong. So the 38 S&W ammo is loaded pretty weak. 38 S&W is loaded to around 10 or 11 thousand psi. 9mm Luger is loaded to around 30 to 35 thousand psi.

If you had a strong modern gun (and no one makes one), you could, theoretically, load 38 S&W to the same as the 9mm Luger 147 grain loads.

army mp · 03-11-2009, 07:40 AM

The 9MM is smaller in Diameter than the 38 Spl..356 the 38 is .357. some years ago Ruger made a Revolver called a convertible. That shot 9mm or 38s you used a moon clip for the 9mm but I have not seen one of these guns in years, saying that I would not recommend loading 38s up that hot. Experimenting with hot loads are how people get hurt

Teejay9 · 03-11-2009, 04:12 PM

The .38 S&W guns I've owned are "modern." One was a Webley, c. 1947, a WW II S&W "Victory," and a H&R mod 926. They have handled 146 and 158 grain slugs without blowing up. I guess, with 116 grain slug, the 9mm would be faster out the gate but that larger piece of lead seems to be heavy enough to do damage. Alpo, I think you're right, they are probably loaded for those old H&Rs from the turn of the last century. Those I wouldn't attempt to shoot even if I came across one.

03-10-2009, 08:45 PM	#1
Teejay9 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southwest Corner of the US, "Where no stinking fence will stop us!!" Posts: 1,257	9mm vs. .38 S&W Like to ask a question. I was going through some loose ammo and I noticed that a 9mm and a .38 S&W were about the same size. The .38 has a bigger, heavier slug than the 9mm so why is it disdained? I don't hand load, so I'd appreciate some insight. I've fired both often and haven't noticed too much of a difference. I've had twice as many 9mms as the .38 S&W, so I know that the 9mms have better looking launchers, but is there really that big a difference? Thoughts, please. TJ -->

03-10-2009, 09:19 PM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,648	Re: 9mm vs. .38 S&W The 38 S&W is, historically, loaded in break-top hinge-frame guns. Not very strong. So the 38 S&W ammo is loaded pretty weak. 38 S&W is loaded to around 10 or 11 thousand psi. 9mm Luger is loaded to around 30 to 35 thousand psi. If you had a strong modern gun (and no one makes one), you could, theoretically, load 38 S&W to the same as the 9mm Luger 147 grain loads.

03-11-2009, 07:40 AM	#3
army mp V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: western Pa, Posts: 479	Re: 9mm vs. .38 S&W The 9MM is smaller in Diameter than the 38 Spl..356 the 38 is .357. some years ago Ruger made a Revolver called a convertible. That shot 9mm or 38s you used a moon clip for the 9mm but I have not seen one of these guns in years, saying that I would not recommend loading 38s up that hot. Experimenting with hot loads are how people get hurt

03-11-2009, 04:12 PM	#4
Teejay9 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southwest Corner of the US, "Where no stinking fence will stop us!!" Posts: 1,257	Re: 9mm vs. .38 S&W The .38 S&W guns I've owned are "modern." One was a Webley, c. 1947, a WW II S&W "Victory," and a H&R mod 926. They have handled 146 and 158 grain slugs without blowing up. I guess, with 116 grain slug, the 9mm would be faster out the gate but that larger piece of lead seems to be heavy enough to do damage. Alpo, I think you're right, they are probably loaded for those old H&Rs from the turn of the last century. Those I wouldn't attempt to shoot even if I came across one.