.38 Special vs 9mm: Penetration Test

In this video I compare and contrast the penetration capabilities of .38 Special verses 9mm. I test the penetration capabilities of both full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds as well as hollow-point rounds. I understand that plywood and living tissue are two different mediums. However, plywood is inexpensive and readily available.
Plywood Penetration Test Playlist: • Ballistic Plywood Pene...

[@raymondwilliams6601]

I understand you tried but the bottom line is you had a heavier bullet in a shorter barrel length. I don't think your tests were even

[@frankberst9849]

Personally, I'll take a .38 Special over 9mm any time, any day, any situation, hands down, no contest.

[@tylerhaskiell3184]

Lol...why?

[@notinthislife451]

@@tylerhaskiell3184 Automatics jam..might not jam at your gun range but could jam in real life and that could cost you your life. Revolvers will go bang..6 shots of 38 is enough.

[@boogitybear2283]

Nice! I just bought one for 300. It’s a Rossi 5 Shot Edition. I’ve yet to shoot it due to limited Bullets but I do own 50 bullets of it plus my 12 and 20 Gauge Shotguns!😂

[@frankberst9849]

@@boogitybear2283 That's a very decent defense line up 👍

[@boogitybear2283]

@@frankberst9849 I love Pump Action Shotguns. I tell people if you want a very reliable powerful decent gun, get a 20 or 12 Gauge Shotgun whether it’s a Savage Arms or Maverick 88.

[@gregwhite5369]

You kept making a great important point then backed away from it. As a former LE officer who carried .45 and then 9mm on duty because of rules, I always carried a 38 special as backup (and used it a few times claiming my 9 jammed) and always carried it off duty and after retiring. As your board demonstration proved the 9mm is prone to going through a human body, even as a hollow point and offers little stopping power, as an ER doctor told me, the slug is so hot it cauterizers the wound as it passes through. Several suspects had been shot through major arteries but lost almost no blood due to cauterization, they kept firing and were only taken down by head or major organs being hit. I shot one suspect in the side with my .38 missing all organs, but the force of the slug stopping inside him took him down, and even though no artery had been hit, he'd lost so much blood in the 15 mins to get an ambulance and get him to ER he almost died. And yes we did apply pressure to his wound. If we'd realized how much internal bleeding was happening we'd not have waited for the ambulance.

[@emiconstantino5434]

Tnxs ,first time I have heard this wound cauterization. So it's the hot copper jacket in 9 mm rounds vz the lead cast bullet of the 38.Thanks again.

[@randomthoughts1001]

Revolver reliability is second to none.

[@dldixon8781]

This is my first time watching one of your videos, and I truly enjoyed it. Looking at a side by side test with real objects is way better than just watching shots into gel. Seeing the penetration factor and the difference between a hollow point and fmj really puts things into perspective.

[@TheGearTester]

I'm glad that you found this video interesting and useful.

[@JohnPMitten]

The two bullets are different, the.38, a hollow point, and the 9mm, a solid bullet. The hollow point will tend to loose energy as it begins to flatten out.

[@Airplanetyson]

He shot a FMJ and JHP for both.

[@kennethsee6262]

I guess I now know what to carry in the event of the wood box apocalypse

[@efm2169]

38 special will get the job done without over penetrating. That’s my choice.

[@ezekielmajor5511]

Nice vid I just picked up a new G26 Gen 4 and Taurus 38 special this weekend. Thanks for the comparison.

[@treanthony9831]

This old school guy told me years ago if you want them to go down, you at least need a 38. I took his advice.

[@Bobbertj7335]

if you shoot someone do you need it to penetrate more then 4 boards . that would definitely do the job on a human body

[@jakepv1]

Robert Crowley also, isn't that the reason 38's have more knockdown power? the 9mm will go right through, where the 38 will put all the energy into the target.

[@chriswilliams8862]

Robert Crowley I agree and not only is he using plywood he's using three-quarter inch plywood and four of them so add that up that's 3 in of wood I think the skin of a person is a little less than that duh

[@maxwellmortimermontoure7274]

Shooting through barriers is real shit. I had an altercation with an angry person in a car with a gun. I was able to get away but still glad i had a g26 with +p t series and an extra mag for the 3 other guys with him.

[@happycamper9300]

I wouldn't say the 9 is more powerful. Is faster, so you will get more penetration. The 38, being heavier, should cause more damage

[@Troacoli]

With FMJ maybe. But for JHP ammo, velocity generally helps them expand faster and more violently, and its more likely to tear tissue than just poke through making a tiny self closing hole.

[@mrbottomfeeder]

After all the testing and talking i am sold. I am going to buy a .38 special. Thanks to everyone.

[@LionquestFitness]

LOL - I hear you Richard!

[@wideawake7071]

Been threw this conversation. lol i did the same thing.. the way i see it if it takes u ten rounds to hit what ur aiming at? Ull be in big trouble before u get 5 off..

[@wideawake7071]

@Tony Romano i agree.

[@lukesmith981]

I’m pretty sure without a shout of a doubt the 38 special fmj is able to go through someone and through walls. That’s why I pick hallow point in home defense.

[@mikeure1528]

i live in a very high density area and the potential over penetration of the 9mm has me more nervous than the 38.

[@merdog7179]

It's great to see that my little J frame is going to dump all its energy into its intended target and not over penetrate. Federal HST + P 130 grain JHP.

[@allinspiriation6140]

I carry a 38 and a 9mm and I trust my life with both!! Great video. I do like the see 9's and 38's go at it😂😂

[@GunSam]

A +P 38 special through a 4" barrel is actually more powerful than a standard 9mm out of that subcompact Glock. However, your test is still valid because most people do carry the .38 in snubbies, so it's some real world expectations of the .38 special. One thing I have to say though, is that a breast plate with heart and lungs behind it, doesn't have plywood in front of it! A .38 special will do just fine.

[@bambamsammimelcher8739]

Dam rite

[@bennails3447]

A bullet looses some of its power in a revolver pistol system due to its construction features

[@Bobs2cents]

I have a compact 9mm and an 856 snub. I am equally comfortable with either when I am out and about. They will both do the trick when your facing a deadly attack. I really like that you used thick plywood as compared to gel because seeing a bullet slam through thick boards tells you it will definitely do the job. Good video!

[@daveelliott3088]

it may not seem fair, but the 38 spl. performs better with 158 grain bullets...try, and show us.

[@andrejvr9144]

Good video. In my personal point of view I think in regards of damage and killing power it might be better if a bullet stuck half way and push the attacker back and do a lot more damage inside with any type of movement than a through and through (Keeping in mind bad shot placement) Shot placement will always be most important.

[@ninibongolan5796]

Why is it that snub nosed revolvers are always used when comparing the 38 to the 9mm? And why do people fall silent once you get to the + p loads on 4 inch barrels?

[@bigoz7]

Great video very informative and thanks for sharing!

[@billwhiteathome2080]

Wonder what would happen if you shot the 9mm out of a 2" barrel and the .38spl out of a 4" barrel? Also, I wonder how often the revolver jams or stove pipes a round?

[@worddunlap]

It wasn't even close to a good test. Its not a test at all if the outcome is determined before the video is made.

[@linokleinmeuleman3348]

Bill White do you now how they measure the barrel lenght its with the chamber,so a 3 inch is actuelly 15 mm less .

[@billwhiteathome2080]

So which was 3"? Any way you measure it, the 9mm had more distance and time in an enclosed barrel than did the .38spl. Measured from the tip of the bullet nose or from the end of the cartridge, the 9mm had the most length to travel. Period. I merely mused how the results would be different if the lengths were reversed.

[@linokleinmeuleman3348]

Bill White 10mm more barrel length,then a 2 inch barrel .

[@wicked1z]

kinda noticing a trend with this channel. These "tests" aren't close to being "fair". I agree with what's been said about barrel length. Same problem with another video he posted. Talk about a forced outcome. On top of that, who's to say that they didn't switch up the shot placement. Just bad "testing" in general.

[@Leonardo-lb1ce]

Try the same test with.38 158 grains

[@TheGunnyBadger03xx]

So, one could argue that 38 special would be better for self-defense since no one walks around wearing three layers of plywood when they leave the house, and you can spend less time worrying about overpenetration. All kidding aside, carry what makes you comfortable and shot placement over caliber is probably more important. Thanks for making this video.

[@Tony770jr]

I think the shape of the bullet has to be taken into account as well. The next question is what about the effect of the bullet in gel and tissue damage, etc.?

[@albertpelletier9415]

I'd like to see how well a 380 ACP fired from something like a Ruger LCP would do in this test, especially compared to the 38 special.

[@headspace8338]

Heavier bullet out of shorter barrel, vs lighter bullet out of longer barrel?

[@Fudmottin]

Most 9x19mm loads will deliver more energy out of a 3" barrel than .38Spl +P loads will deliver out of a 2" barrel. That said, there are .38 Spl +P loadings that will close that gap vs the ones you used. Against people, the old 158gr LRN which clocks very slow out of the 2" barrel can still pass through.

[@pi5tolpete989]

If you where in woods and you could only take a 38 specia l or 9mm ( if they b where save capacity and a bear was charging which are you choosing

[@marais888]

The barrel lengths were different, what would happen if both barrel lengths were same?

[@nicole469]

very nice video. would be interested to see the 40 S&W and .45 next

[@carnage2009]

In understanding that this test is just for penetration, how do they do in similar bullet weights out of similar guns/barrel lengths?

[@douglasfuston6742]

Paul harrel needs to have a talk with you on pros and cons.

[@jeffreyponting9524]

For open carry two 6" barrel .357 magnums would be great. For CC the compact 9mm with hollow points work good. For police the full size 9mm sacrafices firepower of the .357 magnum, but gives them 17 rounds vs 6. Shoot what you like and are comfortable with.

[@daveelliott3088]

Test both with heavy-for-caliber bullets? I.e. 200 grain LRN to 147 grain lead round nose? Bullets should be the same material.

[@JasonSpitzMI50]

Great video, Will you test a Jimenez JA Nine against a Hi-Point 9mm with both loaded with FMJ and Hollow Points with PMC Ammo on the plywood layer test. Name the video as cheapo guns penetration test?🤔

[@MrRugrat5288]

Realize I’m way late to the party but anyone buying a .38 special for self defense is probably gonna load it with +p ammo in the highest grain available. You should use that in a real world test against 9mm highest grain available for penetration

[@stevenchambers9]

I like a 9 mil but I wouldn't won't to get hit center Mass with a 38 would you?

[@darrell320]

how can you compare a full metal jacket to a led bullet

[@thomasholmes7070]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@Renaldo135]

Also, the ammo is where it counts. Try Underwood xtreme defense and xtreme perpetrator

[@MindBodySoulOk]

What if you are attacked by like 10 boards at the same time?

[@johnmullis5753]

What about the 147 grain aginst 158 grain 38 special and 9mm. That the true test

[@kevinbietry7527]

Got to get your barrel lengths lined up because 9mm isn’t more powerful than a 38+p and the velocities stated on the box for 38 are out of a snubi not a 4 inch which is best.

[@marinvelcev4461]

It would be very interesting how .38 Special FMJ +P shot from 3" barrel revolver compares to 9mm FMJ from Glock 26. Snubnose takes lot of energy away ...

[@snake420100]

i saw on a video a guy shooting a army helmet from ww2 an the 38 special did better than the 9 but idk

[@Aaron-on3ro]

my 9mm sub compact holds 13 rounds and my j-frame holds 5 ... it's a no brainer in terms of which is a better PDW.

[@buddyringo21]

I carry both everyday everywhere . S&W 642 air weight with 38+P Sig Elite V-Crown defense JHP and my Glock 26 with Sig Elite V-Crown defense JHP . This is an excellent defense round with stellar reviews! I use it in all my CCW rotation guns. I pocket carry the air weight snub in a Remora pocket holster and it doubles as a quick get to console gun while driving car ( car jacking is real shit! ) when I’m seated I put the gun with its pocket holster between drive seat and e- brake handle and it sits perfectly while my Glock 26 rides IWB at the 4 o’clock position. When carrying concealed like this it can be difficult and really slow to access that gun if in an emergency so I like having the snub at the ready should I ever need that quick instant defense, and bad guys aren’t as hard as 3.5 boards of plywood 😝💥🇺🇸✌️

[@Jeremy-iv9bc]

Doesn't matter if it's 9mm or. 38. If you take 2 to the chest you're dead.

[@itmeng]

Your bullet weights are unequal. At least Paul Harrell tries to find the same bullet Weights when doing a comparison. Ever try the 110 grain loading in 38? Also fmj will always overpenetrate. Was the 38 a bonded bullet?

[@jameshigginbotham1393]

exactly how many humans equals to 8 pieces of 3/4" plywood? The revolver seems to be plenty powerful enough unless your hunting hogs or moose.

[@Gigantor60]

The penetration equals the stopping power you will need in critical moments when an 6'6" man on PcPs is rushing you, only then you will wish your 38spl Pentwater seven boards. Now you know why the cops abandoned 38spl for the manstopper round 9mm. Trix is for kids

[@user-sl7ck6ye9z]

This is a good demonstration of barrel length increasing velocity...which increases penetration. You would have to shoot the 38 out of the same length barrel to compare the rounds.

[@TheGearTester]

You don't know what you are talking about. Watch this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5qQinSwmbKAmq8

[@user-sl7ck6ye9z]

TheGearTester it is a very cool video. I like it But if i shot the same 9mm round out of a 4 inch barrel and a 9mm 2 inch barrel, the 4 inch would penetrate farther. Because the longer barrel produces greater velocity. I know 9mm has more pressure, but it isn't as far off as this video may suggest

[@JimLBon]

If you are serious about doing more head to head tests, I'll send you a box of Underwood gold-dot +p 125 .38's for the J and a box of standard pressure 9mm gold-dot 124's for the g26 on my dime. No joke. 9mm gives up less in short barrels than .38 but the Underwood .38 +p loads aren't wussed out like golden sabers. Underwood's standard pressure .38 loads are hotter than golden saber +p.

[@nightvan4427]

Great job. Thanks💙🧡💙💙🧡🧡

[@metayerman]

The 9mm ball round is one of the finest anti-personell rounds out there. You say it’s dangerous, I say it’s supposed to be. You have to hide behind something pretty solid to be safe from a good old fashioned parabellum pistol.

[@simmonssinfullsin]

make sure you do a bullet test both won't you be the same kind of rounds 38 special full metal jacket and a 9mm Full Metal Jacket why would you use a hollow point 38 Special against the Full Metal Jacket 9mm

[@zeebra7246]

Some would prefer less bullet penetration with more energy transfer to target rather than full penetration with less energy transfer.

[@johnganshow5536]

Strange, I just put a 9mm and 38 special side by side, and it looks like the 38 special has double the powder capacity of the 9mm..

[@ggrandcz]

Because it was designed for black powder. Max pressure for 38 special by CIP is 1500bar(your american p+ is 1275bar), 9mm luger 2350bar. That is reason why luger do not need large volume cartrige.

[@6548ww]

get a 4" barrel revolver for the .38 you may have to use a .357 revolver but the test will be more even

[@matthewrobinson4323]

The 9 mm may be more powerful and a semi-auto may carry more rounds...but those aren't the really issues. Is 38 Special powerful enough to kill an attacker? Are 5 rounds enough? The answer to both is a resounding YES!

[@fwacfred]

You gotta look at barrel length also.

[@jay8480]

Is it because you lose some combustion gas at the cylinder?

[@exothermal.sprocket]

9mm case capacity is far less than 38special case capacity. It's clear the industry loads 38special to a pretty moderate or low potential in the vast majority of what exists. Doing hand-loads, you can run up to touching the bottom of low 357magnum stuff, which is how Elmer Keith and others got the 357mag on the market in the first place. The 38special is far more versatile overall than 9mm, been around for over 100 years, used by law enforcement for about 70 years, has a mountain of guns around the world chambered for it, runs a wider array of bullet weights than 9mm. To each their own. In other videos: 158gr Underwood Hardcast SWC 38special+p Penetrates 6-1/4 inches stacked pine boards 4" test barrel.

[@richardfrost7575]

To shut down the barrel length controversy, just use ruger LCR one in 38 special +p and one chambered in 9mm. ( use bullets as close to same weight as possible 124g for 9mm 125g 38spcl ) end of story. PS: I know the point you were trying to make and agree to some extent.

[@wh5686]

and semi auto has energy lost in cycling.a revolver in 9mm would be even better.i had found a norinco tokorev replica the hammer was down with a round in the chamber and it fell and hit the ground(obviously no drop tested) and was shot through the calf with a 9mm fmj (brand was f.c.) and after penetrating about 4 inches of my calf muscle the bullet hit a drawer (about 1 inch thick of that pressed composite wood) on a cabinet went through and landed inside the drawer, interesting to me how much faster flesh will stop a bullet than all that plywood.

[@daveelliott3088]

try a 200 grain lead round nose too...may surprise us...

[@marryson123]

I dont understand why the 38 is weaker... its a bigger round and it is way more expensive than the 9mm. somebody explain pls

[@TheGearTester]

You are correct that the casing of the.38 Special is indeed longer than the casing of a 9mm. However, size does not directly correlate to power. In many cases it does, .308 also known as 7.62x51 Nato is larger than .22 LR. Its is also significantly more powerful. You need to look at the velocity and energy specifications of 9mm vs standard .38 Special. www.ballistics101.com/9mm.php www.ballistics101.com/38_special.php The kind and amount of powered used in 9mm cartridges simply generates greater amounts of velocity and energy. In relation to price. 9mm is cheaper because of simple supply and demand. People shoot more 9mm than they do .38 Special. As stated before .38 Special casings require more brass and in most cases .38 Special projectiles are heavier (more lead/copper). The added material cost also contributes to the increased price of .38 over 9mm.

[@vanessal7291]

It must be common for people to own both of these pistols. I have both as well.

[@jamespollard3066]

A 38 special with a 158 gr. bullet has more penetration than the 9mm . Try the board test with a heavy 9 mm bullet and a heavy 38 bullet .

[@micheleselmon7418]

Barrel size

[@nuclearthreat545]

38 is a better hitter than a 9mm

[@TheGearTester]

What are you talking about. 9mm is going faster by .38 Special is a better hitter?

[@linokleinmeuleman3348]

nuclearthreat545 a 38 special is the half of the 357 magnum, 9mm 2/3 of a magnum 9mm major comes to 357 .

[@josequiles5305]

nuclearthreat545 you forget 38 revolver barrel length 1-7/8 and glock 3 1/2

[@linokleinmeuleman3348]

Jose Quiles and the cilinder .

[@wh5686]

it's all about energy transfer. good video

[@MyCatCarriesAGlock]

Energy transfer is BS. It's all about shot placement-that and penetration, which 9mm does better than 38 in more cases.

[@louiscyfer6944]

Ethans BR deeper penetration is not better. where do you get that?

[@MyCatCarriesAGlock]

The FBI. According to them you need a round to expand as well as penetrate 14-16 inches in FBI ballistic gelatin. True, ballistic gelatin can't replicate the human body perfectly, but some kind of standard is necessary and it's the best we have. Now granted, essentially 100% of the gelatin tests on youtube aren't to FBI spec, but even in the imperfect tests an expanded 9mm will perform better than an expanded 38 in most cases. Plus you've got 2 to 3 times more 9 in comparable guns than 38. I'm sure you've heard some of this before. But why do I think energy transfer is BS? www.policeone.com/police-heroes/articles/6199620-Why-one-cop-carries-145-rounds-of-ammo-on-the-job/ This story is one of the reasons. Surely .45 has more energy than 38?

[@linokleinmeuleman3348]

louis cyfer ask your wife .

[@TOBORE8THMAN]

Classic response for fanatics of weak pistol ammo. It's as feeble as the caliber. It's the same old worn out and tired excuse that gets regurgitated every time the subject gets brought up. The amount of muzzle energy imparted on target is a HUGE deal. If you don't understand that then please stop spreading misinformation that favors the use of weak pistol ammunition.

[@elblancobasura]

This is a great demonstration because there's very little getting around what's staring you right in the face. Many times I'm having to explain to newbs that they never want to use FMJ in their home as a primary defense round. Basically, they're not gun people and they figured they've forked out the money for the gun already and so why pay exorbitant prices for ammo? They're all bullets, so what's the difference? And most times we're talking 9mm. and so I'm really trying to impart to them the over penetrating nature of 9mm. Sometimes I reach them, sometimes I don't. Sometimes, they flat don't believe me about 9mm. FMJ and what it's capable of either. Something else I notice many times is this train of thought held by many that somehow (and I don't know exactly where people get this notion) .38 Special and 9mm. are ballistically similar. Of course the reality is that they can't be by virtue of the fact that .38 runs between 17,000 PSI and 20,000 PSI on the high side with +P loadings whereas 9mm. Luger is working at a baseline of 35,000 PSI up to 38,500 PSI with the +P loads.

[@TheGearTester]

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! I understood that 9mm was more powerful than .38 Special but I did this penetration test simply to give myself a real world example of the difference between .38 Special and 9mm.

[@elblancobasura]

You'll have to forgive. My commentary wasn't pointed at you specifically. It was meant to be general in its observation. I should have said something on the order of, "what's staring observers right in the face."

[@TheGearTester]

No offense taken.

[@davidmcclanahan6921]

To be an accurate test both rounds need to be fired through barrells of the same length

[@steverugerguy9606]

ruger sp101,38 spl+p..all u need...not bashing 9mm tho...i have ruger 9s too...both great rounds for sd.and both are controllable.

[@austin6177]

I use my 9mm to put deer down after a bad rifle shot all the time and I can tell you a 124 grain hollow will definitely do damage but so will the 22 mag so really when you face an attacker it's your preference all bullets hurt and if placed right they are all lethal.

[@paulfisher4660]

I'd like to see a 158 grain 38 with a +P loading

[@williamschramm2761]

I agree!! The 38 Special (F.B.I.) load in my opinion would be my choice. The semi-wadcutter is superior to the hollow point in the 38 special

[@usmcchet]

yeah I have heard a semi-wadcutter would be the best option thats what I use in my model 60

[@linokleinmeuleman3348]

Paul Fisher and a 9mm 158 grs for comparison and same barrel length .

[@williamster2015]

Along with a 147gr +p 9mm

[@TokerPack]

Would still be less... 9mm is better then .38 special or .38 special +p period. if you want more power then a 9mm then you need to get a .357

[@Graymanone]

The barrel length of the Glock is 3.4 inches. The barrel of the revolver looks to be less than 2 inches. Considering over penetration is a liability in a home defense situation think I'll go with the 38 special. Going though walls and hitting an innocent party being family member or neighbor is a consideration. A good 4 inch barrel six shooter is more reliable, easier to maintain, and safer for those with limited training not to mention having a stoppage will put the semi out of the fight, with the revolver one just has to pull the trigger again.In the end it's all about shot placement and mindset and training, lots of training!

[@redman3674]

can you add 380ACP to your please . thanks for the video!

[@josequiles5305]

REDMAN 367 my two favorite bullet you forget the weapon you in this text different in barrel side the 38 revolver barrel length 1-7/8 and 9mm glock 26 3 1/2 no forget revolver is more better to carry and the glock lam have those two gun for more 12 years

[@Unholymackrl]

I have both , I do not feel under gunned with 5 shots of 38 plus P... or 10 of 9mm

[@63DW89A]

Try Buffalo Bore 38 SPL +P 158 gr Outdoorsman. You will find that it will out-penetrate ANY 9mm load in existence, even from a 2" revolver. The 38 SPL is by far the better round over 9mm, because 38 SPL loadings can go from mild to wild, with any bullet shape from full wadcutter to FMJ. The 148 gr 38 Wadcutter can be as low as 600 fps from a 2" revolver to 1000+ fps in +P loadings. The 158 gr 38 SPL can be as low as 650 fps from a 4" revolver to nearly 1200 fps from a 4" revolver in +P loadings. In other words, the 38 SPL can weaker than a 9mm, or much more powerful than even a 9mm+P+, depending on which ammo you choose. If my 38 Revolver was built in 1920, than I'll stick with mild standard pressure loadings; If my modern 38 Revolver is built on a 357 Magnum frame, then my 38 Spl handloads can totally blow away ANY 9mm +P+ loading in existence. In max power loadings, the 9mm can never equal the 38 SPL at max, because the 38 SPL has nearly twice the case capacity under the same weight bullet!

[@katana258]

thanks if I am ever attacked by 5 sheets of plywood or some one is hiding behind 5 sheets of plywood in my next shoot out at lowes or home depot .. thanks for pointing out a pointed 9mm at 1100 fps compared to 900 fps . in the blunt r.n. .38 never would of thought of any of that

[@wooddawg4868]

Dude 38 special with bonded bullets are devastating, and with +p or +p+ variety even more so. Most who carry a 5 shot revolver as I do in :357 magnum know how to reload them smooth and fast if needed. As a back up there is nothing better in a pinch than a 357 revolver so you can shoot both 357 & 38 special.

[@MisterGlock40]

SJHP stands for Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point not Soft

[@michaelmoses4019]

I'm surprised, maybe put the .38 special against the .380 and put the 9mm against the .357?

[@sinqros]

Yes & a good 9mm +p or 124 grain ball would do even better

[@charlesshanks3101]

I would like to see exact equal Bullet weight and construction! also An Icepick has little knock down power. unless it hits a nerve. I saw a military comparison from early Vietnam era of bow and arrow and the arrow "penetrated" much more than a .45Auto,.30 carbine and even the M1 Rifle 30.06 ! A Good test would be more equal comparison including shock value .

[@childcustodyguy5962]

Your test is somewhat flawed because the barrel is longer on the 9mm. In addition a 357 Snubnose packs a decent punch.

[@highonlifefishing4007]

Does that mean that the 38 special had better stopping power thus making it more deadly when hitting a threat?

[@peteramonto2909]

Yes

[@douglasroyce5631]

It appears to me that the extra penatration might go straight through the attacker and wound an innocent bystander.

[@donaldsmith3048]

Need to put the 357 magnum in there. That is what was using for a long time.

[@williamschramm2761]

I have a 9mm and a 38 special. I prefer the 158 semi-wad cutter hollow point +p (Dallas, New York load). The semi-wad cutter bullet does a lot more internal damage than the 9mm.

[@jeg5438]

Whatever happened- way better than watching some genius shooting bottles, cans or vegetables to see if the bullet will penetrate. Thanks for sharing, I always thought the 2 rounds were more similar.

[@TheGearTester]

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I have been receiving a lot of hate for this video. Your message was refreshing. I too thought that .38 Special and 9mm were closer to one another in terms of power before this test.

[@markrichardson1657]

Je G people who make youtube videos distributed to the public will always catch flak, public entails all. great video, don't be so thin skinned, to hell with their opinions.

[@BePatient888]

You proved that a heavier bullet, fired from a longer barrel, will give you better results. However, I will note something that MANY of these videos ignore: most civilian firearms incidents end after 1 or 2 shots. Most, if not all. Even when 8-10 shots are fired, it's usually just a panicking shooter who continues to fire after the assailant/victims are already running away, or down. "But what about multiple attackers?" How many of you are going to get into sustained firefights, with attackers who won't immediately run at the first sign of lethal resistance? Buy what you want, carry what you want - but stop the fantasizing please. It's all marketing aimed at your insecurities. And (based on gun and ammo sales) IT IS WORKING.

[@samanthavogel9696]

you can see how soft the plywood is. The 9mm was hardly deformed after 6 or 7 sheets.

[@arnoldfernbladst3875]

Why is this? I can't understand why a 9mm is more powerful when they are essentially the same size (.355 vs .357) and the .38 special has a larger casing (presumably for more gundpowder?). The main difference here was the weight of the slug and the barrel length of each pistol. A lot of factors go into this at a greater factor than the diameter difference of .002 inches.

[@Bobs2cents]

Actually, I’m leaning a little more towards the revolver. Remembering my time on the range, every semi auto I shot at one time or another had a FTF or some type of jam, even though it seldom happened. None of my revolvers failed to fire-NONE. So really, even though I carry both, I reach for my revolver more often. No safety, no racking, no failure to go into battery. That says a lot for me.

[@jeffreyponting9524]

I think that the .38 barrel was shorter because not many people are going to CC a 10" barrel revolver. Autos usually make a better option.

[@travisminton2141]

You could carry a 3" or 4" barreled revolver as well, but they'll be longer and heavier overall than a similar barrel length semi-auto. I think he was trying to compare the 3" barrel semi-auto, and 2" barrel revolver, because both are the most popular for concealed carry.

[@pckanellopoulos]

Respectfully need to compare 38 Special FMJ to 9mm FMJ not hollow points

[@poorfatman5317]

Maybe you should look at the barrel length and everybody knows the 38 more powerful

[@cardaveux]

No i don't think so the 9 mm para is usually more powerful.

[@robertkubrick3738]

Compare to something like a .357 magnum snubbie Ruger SP101 or +P+ .38? You won't do it because it wouldn't yield the results you want.

[@waynestone6462]

What this guy failed to mention is that the 38 special hollow point didn't penetrate as far because it mushroomed alot better than the 9mm hollow point did just like hollow points are supposed to do . You can clearly see that in the video !