.380 vs .38

Mike37

What is the difference in a .380 auto or a .38? (The only dumb question is the one you didn't ask right)!

Mike

Contender Man

38 what??? 38 Special? 38 S&W (aka short)?

Not necessarily a dumb questions, but you need to be a little more specific.



If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!

Jake_S-83

380 was introduced in 1908 with colt pocket auto. balistically, its between 32 auto and 9mm. 380 is also known as 9mm kurz (9mm short). normally around 90 to 95 grain bullet. used primarilly for carry or backup gun, as it really isnt good for much else. the 38 special (i assume you were referring to 38 special) was introduced in 1902 as improvement over 38 Long Colt. usually bullets weigh between 110 gr and 158 gr. used by law enforcement well into the 70s, and still popular for ccw and backup guns. also great for target and recreation shooting, and cheap and easy to reload. its my favorite handgun round to shoot. whew, hope that helped
jake[:)]

Invicta

.380 shoots a .355 diameter bullet and the .38special uses a .357 diameter bullet. the cases are also completely different between the two.

allechalley

.380 is an auto cartridge, so for the most part, will be chambered for a semiauto. .38 special is a rimmed cart. so will be chambered in a myriad of revolvers.

jsergovic

I've got both right in front of me. No camera handy, sorry.

I think the .380 has a 95 gr. bullet. Total length 24mm.
The .38 Special has a 130 grain bullet. Total length 37mm.

As you can imagine, the .38 will pack more punch.
Especially in a self-defense round.

.380 ~ 1000 f.p.s. @ muzzle ... 200 Ft. lbs.
.38 Special ~ 950 f.p.s. @ muzzle ... 250 Ft. lbs. ... slower, more "punch".

Still, I'd hate to get hit with either!

Mike37

Jake S-83, that's exactly what I was looking for. Sorry I wasn't more specific. Thanks to all of you for clearing this up for me.

Mike