The 9 mm cartridge is loaded to a higher allowable pressure than .38 Spl. .38 Spl was evolved from older black powder cart's so the brass shell is enormous compared to the standard 9 mm (9x19 or NATO). So even though the bullet size is similar the Ft-Lb output (muzzle velocity x mass) is not.

Things get blurred because as you noted .357 Magnum is a kick-@ss cartridge (as can be .38 Spl +P) but the bullet is not necessarily different than a plain .38 Spl. Just higher velocity (and a great record of one-shot stops).

edit - You don't see a need to go through someone you shoot? In many handgun cases a bullet does not expand that much (even though it is desirable) so the damage done with each shot may just be the leaking hole you drill. Incomplete drilling (just go with the metaphor) or stopping at a bone means less damage done.

I will agree that although I personally love a hot .357 Magnum load (say Corbon) it is a poor choice if you have neighbors close by because of how many walls a miss will travel through (yeah, nobody's perfect). In the house I download my .357 Mag to a .38 Spl +P for that reason plus faster on-target follow-up shots and less flash.

 

people such as wdavis obviously DONT belong in threads such as this if they cant even laugh a little bit of sarcasm.......

 

The .38 special and .357 magnum both use a .357" diameter bullet. The 9mm/.357 Sig use a .355" diameter bullet. Virtually the same.

Energy is a function of both bullet weight and velocity. The .357 magnum produces much higher velocities than the .38 special and 9mm. The .357 Sig was created to mimic the .357 magnum but in an auto cartridge.

You are correct about not wanting the bullet to pass through the target (over-penetration). Semi-jacketed hollow points "mushroom" causing a larger wound cavity and complete transfer of bullet energy to the target.

Which cartridge has the greater stopping power has long been debated. Yes, shot placement is extremely important but may still not be enough with the wrong cartridge. The FBI's shootout in Miami proved that.

 

Aside from pushing them to 10 mm, that FBI shootout also proved another old adage -- handguns should only be used to get closer to your long arms.

 

[QUOTE=NikePenguin,Jan 13 2006, 02:35 PM] Not really. And the .380 is even worse.

[QUOTE=just one example]Energy in Foot Pounds (To Nearest 5 Foot-Pounds)
Caliber

 

I think Purple Sky can take care of themselves. How do you know I wasn't being sarcastic?

 

Just for fun, a .50 BMG gun (that Californians haven't been able to buy for a little over a year) puts out about 13,000 ft pounds. Handguns pale in comparison to rifles. [/QUOTE]
Rifles are hard to put in your pants though....

 

Obviously, handguns are suited only for specific circumstances (like concealed carry).

Shotguns are much better for "home defense."

 

[QUOTE=NikePenguin,Jan 13 2006, 05:35 PM] Not really. And the .380 is even worse.

[QUOTE=just one example]Energy in Foot Pounds (To Nearest 5 Foot-Pounds)
Caliber