.357 Magnum or .38 Special

[UNCjigga]

I know nothing about guns...but I always wondered how these two compared. I consider both are classic pistols I guess?

 

[alexjohnson16]

:music:Hold on loosely
And never let go:music:

 

[DangerAardvark]

The .38, obviously. It's "special".

 

[KK]

357 has about twice the ft lbs as the 38

http://www.remington.com/ammo/ballistics/ballistics.htm

 

[UNCjigga]

Okay. But are the guns essentially the same? Can't guns chambered for one cartridge usually fire the other as well (or is it only .357s can fire .38s and not vice-versa?)

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: UNCjigga
Okay. But are the guns essentially the same? Can't guns chambered for one cartridge usually fire the other as well (or is it only .357s can fire .38s and not vice-versa?)

Most 357 revolvers can shoot 38. Not sure if the make a 38 only revolver or not. I guess its possible that they have a 38 that couldn't take the pressures of the 357 cartridge.

 

[Baked]

Buy both and shoot DMT in the face (over the intraweb) to find out.

 

[Calin]

Originally posted by: DangerAardvark
The .38, obviously. It's "special".

No, the .357 - it's "magnum"

 

[jagec]

The .357 Magnum is a hand cannon. The .38 special is just a good way to kill someone.

 

[DangerAardvark]

Originally posted by: Calin

Originally posted by: DangerAardvark
The .38, obviously. It's "special".

No, the .357 - it's "magnum"

Oh, my apologies.

 

[Calin]

Magnum for cartridges signifies a very big propelling charge and/or very big bullet. It goes on hunting cartridges also, magnum is some kind of "elephant size"

 

[DangerAardvark]

A magnum is a big ass bottle of wine. Mmm... magnum.

 

[jkersenbr]

357's can chamber and fire 38's but not the other way around.

If you could manage to get a 357 cartridge in a 38 chamber, it would be a good way to blow up the firearm.

The 357 Magnum is substantially more powerful than a 38 Special, but it is not a "hand cannon". In most states, it is not even allowed for deer hunting. However it is an excellent police/self defence cartridge, as that is what it was designed for. (If I recall correctly, the 357 Magnum was developed by a cop.)

 

[kage69]

What he said.

 

[IAteYourMother]

yeah

 

[K1052]

Dan Coonan .357 Magnum auto > .357 magnum wheelguns > any autoloader > .38 special

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: alexjohnson16
:music:Hold on loosely
And don't let go:music:

FTFY.

 

[Fingers]

They are the same exact caliber although the numbers are different. Only difference is the .357 has a longer shell casing and hold more powder which makes bigger boom and bullet go faster therefore penetrating deeper and causing a more reliable expansion of a hollowpoint.

 

[alkemyst]

AK47 When you absolutely, positively gotta kill every mutha-f****r in the
room.... Accept no substitutes.

 

[JulesMaximus]

.357 is much more powerful than .38 Special.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: UNCjigga
Okay. But are the guns essentially the same? Can't guns chambered for one cartridge usually fire the other as well (or is it only .357s can fire .38s and not vice-versa?)

You can shoot .38 Special rounds in a .357 Magnum but not vice versa. The .357 Magnum case is longer and will not fit in the cylinder of a .38 Special. Same with .44 Special and .44 Magnum rounds.

 

[CorCentral]

You've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk? (Clint Eastwood/Dirty Harry/357Mag)

As for the term "Magnum" ever heard of Magnum 40/40 ? Bad bottle of 40oz Beer! **LOL**

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: CorCentral
You've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk? (Clint Eastwood/Dirty Harry/357Mag)

As for the term "Magnum" ever heard of Magnum 40/40 ? Bad bottle of 40oz Beer! **LOL**

Except Dirty Harry used a .44 Magnum. :roll:

 

[CorCentral]

Ooops ! Damn! I should've known better.

Bringing up the 44Magnum, now which is more powerful of the 3 ?
Not quite up on guns, can ya' tell? **LOL**

 

[Fingers]

Originally posted by: CorCentral
Ooops ! Damn! I should've known better.

Bringing up the 44Magnum, now which is more powerful of the 3 ?
Not quite up on guns, can ya' tell? **LOL**

44 mag, which is also out done by the .500 S&W mag