9mm vs 38 Special vs 357 Mag: Not Even Close?

On this episode of Ultimate Barrier Testing, we will be comparing the performance of the 9mm to the 38 special and the 357 magnum on 4 different targets. Each target is worth 25 points (winner takes all), for a grand total of 100 points. Whichever cartridge ends up with the highest score will be the winner. Testing was setup at 10 yards. Thanks for watching!
*These tests are meant for entertainment and educational purposes only. Do not try any of these tests at home! Always verify your setup is rated for and can safely fire any ammunition that you intend to use.

[@RStout59]

Respectfully, using the same block skews your results. You are tenderizing that block with every new round. Still fun

[@twolak1972]

With the new critical defense ammo you dony have to have a 45, 357 to feel safe. The new 9mm, 38 and 380 CD ammo is OUTSTANDING. My Riget security 380 packed with 15 +1 95 grains hp,s is one bad mamma jamma. .

[@user-is3bp6ii4n]

That's what I said! He should've used three Identical cubes! Not keep shooting the same cube, hell even I know that!🤠👍

[@MrG-xm1up]

Tenderizing the block! Lol

[@vaclavkrpec2879]

You could object about more things here... Different barrel lengths. Too few attempts to conclude anything statistically relevant. But that's not the point of course---just as you say, it's just for fun (and he's actually doing a good job at entertaining :-)).

[@clinthowe7629]

Exactly! you dont get a clean result.

[@cerneysmallengines]

as far as the sand testing. I still feel you should be using the USPS flat rate boxes, either the small or the medium, thin ones. you could stack them so that we could know if it made it through 2 inches or 4 inches or 6 inches of sand.

[@henriyoung3895]

Great idea..n use water jugs.

[@cerneysmallengines]

@henriyoung3895 sand has unique characteristics about it that differ from water. water and gelatin are so similar as to be an easy stand in.

[@TomL3grandsons]

I agree. They don’t penetrate, maybe try a 50 BMG

[@glaffoon1]

You should try the 38 super.

[@derricktaylor470]

The sand test generally is a waste of time.

[@cerneysmallengines]

357 v 357. pistol vs rifle. 357 is supposed to be a lot more potent out of a rifle. would love to see that in testing

[@cartercustoms4600]

I have a 4" revolver and a 20" rifle. In a rifle, it's no 308, but it will drop med sized game like deer out to 75yd 100yd. Great brush gun. Dropped a 200lb boar on the spot at about 80yd with the 20" lever rifle with pmc soft point 158gr.

[@jmjones7897]

.357 has double the case capacity, greater COAL( hence the ability to utilize longer-heavier bullets)and operates at +10,000 psi over 9mm 9mm is pretty much limited to 147-150ish grain max bullets and relatively fast burning powders to maximize it's small case volume and shorter overall length. The .357's larger case capacity allows it to utilize slower burn rate powders in longer barrels for increased energy gain vs. the 9mm. You'll get increased velocity/ energy from both with increasing barrel length to a point 9mm is gonna max out in a shorter burn column with lower total energy regardless in a cartridge appropriate max loading, all other variables being equal. In short, anything much past 8-10 inches gains you little to none in 9mm .357 Carbine ballistics are more comparable to a 30/30 than any service sidearm Apologies for the long winded reply

[@cerneysmallengines]

@jmjones7897 in a handgun, 9mm is better than 357. 357 has longer burning powder normally, which means it needs the longer barrel. that's also why in a carbine, 9mm stops accelerating at 8-10". 357 continues to accelerate though

[@theprfesssor]

The advantage seems to be brand dependent Got a Henry lever gun in 357 mag and have some factory from Fiocchi and Federal the Fiocchi gains barely any out the rifle (from box specs) whereas the Federal gains over 20%, the sound difference was dramatic

[@cerneysmallengines]

@@theprfesssor +p makes a big difference

[@robertseafield5810]

I am old, nearly 3/4 of a century. Back in the day, there was no gel. The makers used 7/8 inch soft pine boards spaced one inch apart for ammo testing. The 357 Magnum was king with this test, even over the 44 Magnum. So, that was all we had to go by. This info was published and well known. The 9mm showed good performance in the wood, also. I started handloading in 1972. Norma sold 44 cal steel jacketed bullets in soft point and hollow point 240 gr. They were called the Tri-Clad. Steel jacket, nickel plated and then clear lacquer coated. Very accurate with my WW296 full loads. They were also the king of my crude wood penetration tests. I used a foot long green pine 6 inch about diameter log., standing up. The 357 would not penetrate through. The 44 Mag went through the log like it was made of of Swiss cheeze. Elmer Keith admitted it penetrated as well as his 44 cal 250 grain SWC. I also shot it through various metal stuff which you should not try at home. This is a great video! I would like to see more of this type. I have never been attacked by a board or concrete block, but it makes for a fun video.

[@jeffsirname]

Thanks Rob nuts, this is a great comment.

[@stephenparchewski1998]

One thing I do have to say regarding the 9mm is, it may not be the biggest or fastest round out there, but it was designed right. For a small cartridge, it can be pretty potent.

[@user-is3bp6ii4n]

So your saying you own a 9 lol!😂

[@BigJT2010]

Especially considering the barrel length differences. 38 would be blown put of the water by 9 with similar barrel length using relatively strength ammo. Be that standard target in both calibers or +p

[@jpmulli]

Ammunition advances over the past 10 years have really brought the 9mm's potency up. Little difference between it and the 40S&W with less recoil and the ability to carry handguns with higher magazine capacity.

[@stephenparchewski1998]

Yes, I do have a 9mm. Can it compete with the .357 for muzzle energy…no. BUT, thanks to modern ammunition, it is just as effective at stopping a threat. It’s come a long way over the past 120 years. Now, if someone is using FMJ’s for self defence, I would use something bigger than the 9mm.

[@paleo704]

@@user-is3bp6ii4nhaha exactly

[@hamilde]

I have a lever action in 357 mag. It will shoot 38 special like most of them will. I think it holds a couple more 38 specials in the mag. If I shoot 100 or 200 rounds of 357, my shoulder gets pretty sore (what can I say, I'm old and fragile😊). I can shoot the 38 specials all day like shooting a 22. I'd be very curios to see a comparison of velocities and power shooting those rounds through a 20 inch barrel vs a 4 or 6 inch pistol barrel. I really enjoy your videos, keep up the good work!

[@danstubbs5032]

I've got a Taurus with a two inch barrel. Love putting the 38's through it but I'm like you. Old and breakable and the magnum rounds freaking hurt. Lol.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Midway should send him some Buffalo Bore. Buffalo Bore 125gr from a 2-inch snub: 1479 fps. Buffalo Bore 125gr from a 18.5-inch Marlin: 2300 fps.

[@OOICU812]

​@@exothermal.sprocketDam! 😮

[@letsdothis9063]

​@@exothermal.sprocket those are the penetrators, right? I've been thinking about getting the hardcast for brown bear protection. (I know, probably would never need it, but who knows) Then I saw that Penetrator round, and figured that would probably do rhe trick as well. Lol

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@letsdothis9063 The ones I mentioned are Hornady XTP loaded hot by Buffalo Bore. The Xtreme Penetrators are a Lehigh Defense bullet are loaded by Underwood, they primarily tumble and that's how they do their damage. For bear I'd go with a very large flat nose hard cast. In .357mag probably 180gr. Buffalo Bore, Grizzly, DoubleTap all have stout hardcast loads. Underwood runs less velocity in rimmed cartridges for some reason. Solid copper are effective no doubt, but I prefer Barnes expanding type for that, as heavy as you can get them (Buffalo Bore Barnes 140gr XPB). Maybe a bonded-type would also work in 158gr or heavier, so long as it's loaded to true magnum power, not warm commercial stuff.

[@patrickfreeman8257]

Conclusion: Never go up against a 6x6 block of wood if all you're packing is a 9 or 38 special

[@AlcoholicBoredom]

Good to know. I’ve been attacked by 6x6 blocks of wood twice this month already.

[@billquillin1952]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

[@greencertifiedweb]

Wait, I thought it was, "Never go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line!?"

[@johnshadow9310]

Bruce Lee said boards don't fight back :)

[@kommi7658]

​​@@greencertifiedweb never go up against a Sicilian who has a 357 when you're a 6x6 block of wood

[@noapologizes2018]

Basic training, many decades ago, taught that 18 ins. of soil will stop any small arms. That is why we stacked sand bags three high and three deep around fox holes.

[@brent-JG26]

I love your videos! My only critique would be that each caliber should have its own wood block. It would seem that, especially with high caliber rounds, every additional shot would weaken the wood!

[@ccovemaker]

I shot the cross bar on my target stand with a 38 at a 100 yards. It was made out of 1" EMT. Soft thin steel. It barely punched thru the front of the tube and was captured barely denting the back of the tube. 38 hits like big 22lr.

[@Important_Twist]

love the tests mate, keep up the good work. support from the uk

[@kettle_of_chris]

Stupid question here - shouldn't this test use individual cubes for each bullett fired? It seems to me that the fist 2 shots weakened the structural integrity of the wood which made the 9mm look like it did more damage than it did. I don't know & that's why I am asking.

[@terry_willis]

If he aimed better and spread out the POI that might help. It looks like he's trying to get a tight shot group with all three.

[@kettle_of_chris]

@@terry_willis I see what your saying and that makes sense in so far as what he was trying to do, but I still can't reconcile the logic of using the same piece of wood for all 3 rounds *when* each round is a different caliber. I'm C student that never fiished Jr College and yet I keep thinking that the structural integrity of the wood has to have been compromised and that has to play a role in the test in some way. But like I said I'm a C student with no qualifications

[@TheRealEtaoinShrdlu]

The wood should be fine (not sure, just an assumption), but the sand needs to filtered after each shot to remove old bullets. The sand test is by far the worst set up. It could be much more interesting though, if set up properly.

[@daffidavit]

It's been said that the A students become the professors, the B students become the judges and the C students become rich. @@kettle_of_chris

[@norske_ow3440]

There’s really no perfect option for the wood block. Same block = compromised structural integrity. Different blocks= different densities regardless of how much effort you go through. So it a classic catch .22

[@AWStuck]

.357 sig would be good to see. I was impressed on that AP 9mm

[@ksaechao97]

Yeah, curious to see 357SIG performance vs 357MAG, 4" barrels, same ammo manufacturers.

[@johnmazza5918]

Another fun, but maybe slightly more obscure option, is the 9x25 Dillon. A 10mm case necked down to 9 that spits out 125 grains at over 1600 fps from a 5-inch tube. Or 90 grain Lehigh screwdriver tips at 1800...

[@timmynormand8082]

@@ksaechao97using the ruger as usual

[@zacharywalters8139]

In your next video can you just say this for me..."baby lock the door and turn the lights down low." No particular reason 😂

[@BuffRANGE]

You blinded Terry with that muzzle flash 📸

[@MrLongshot762]

I'm ready to see 460 vs 500 magnum. Gotta include the 700 grain hardcast

[@ASMR-soothingsounds]

@Banana Ballistics have a comparison with these calibers shooting them from a carbine (16" barrel) format. The power factor for each increase quite a bit with the extra barrel length.

[@andrewramsyu5913]

This is my go-to channel for ballistics. I base my home defense and future civil "thing" from these videos

[@66smithra]

factory ammo-wise, the order is 38 spl, 9mm, 357, lowest to highest. But from a reloader's perspective, it is 9mm, 38, 357, with the 38 even having an advantage over the 357 in guns with short cylinders and shooting longer bullets. 357 and 38 are much bigger cartridges than the 9mm with much greater powder capacity and energy potential.

[@BuildALotAcres]

Lol at 1:19. The Lil' 9 never gets any love. Great sense of humor. It would be interesting to see the test redone with carbines in the same calibers.

[@johnw3379]

I would love to hear you read " how the Grinch stole Christmas". Great video !

[@irafowlerjr.7492]

I was missing your, turn it around song, glad you sang it today😊. Good info, thanks

[@hectorjr4936]

You definitely get some target practice, I like the 357 is also a flame thrower

[@lemonstealinghorsdoeuvre]

I do too. I carry a snub because of that. It has more than enough power to do the job, but moreover the sound and the literal ring of fire that comes out is enough for most people to nope out. It's kinda like hearing a shotgun rack, but not as innocent

[@cuzz63]

Are you familiar with the Coonan .357 mag? You should see my Coonan shoot .357 mag.

[@lemonstealinghorsdoeuvre]

@@cuzz63 I have a friend who just traded a ruger 5.7 for a 357 deagle in a straight trade, somehow. I imagine it's kinda like. It's not quite as easily concealed and we are going to hit the range tomorrow and I'll get to see the fireball from it. But no, I've never seen a coonan, it looks nice in a quick Google, 1911 style seems magic, it reminds me of the 44 from _magnum force_

[@hiderbear20]

Would like to see how 38 + P Compares to them! lol Great Video!

[@lovacporodjenju4363]

I think it would be like a 9mm I mean velocity and all that, maybe even faster than regular 9mm with the same bullet... I am not sure.

[@jmjones7897]

It's close with a slight advantage to the .38+P with relative advantage of .38 increasing with barrel length. The .38+P is more of an industry standard than a hard CIP/ SAAMI type engineering standard What it works out to un practical terms is this 4" barrel 38+p 158gr @ 1150fps and 21,500psi 4.7" barrel 9mm Standard pressure 147gr @ 950-1000fps and 33,000psi 9mm+p 147gr hardcast @ 1050-1100fps Velocities out of shorter barrels are comparable w/ the 9mm+p maxing out for practical purposes at the standard 4-5" barrel length .38+p will continue gain advantage in longer barrels At same 21,500 psi you're talking 158gr @12,500 in a 6" revolver with gains dropping off past about 10-12" w/ max velocities in the 16-20" barrel 9mm gains dropping off @ about 7-8" and maxing out around 10-12" of barrel length. You can get a little more out of a longer barrel in 9mm with lighter bullets and larger chargers of marginally slower burn rate powder. Really just doesn't have the case capacity to take advantage of slower powders in longer barrels vs. peak pressure In a stronger gun that same .38 can be loaded far closer to .357 levels particularly with heavier bullets

[@rickylchi]

What about .357 sig vs 9mm vs .357 mag? Awesome channel, great content! Thank you for the entertaining vids, keep up the good work.

[@davegrove795]

Nice seeing a shootout with the three cartridges I use!

[@emacstac]

Sweet video my friend! Keep it up!

[@mrcnorth7149]

Great video. Like others who have already commented. You now 'need' carbines for all the pistol calibers you test. :) 380acp, 38sp, 9mm, 357mag, etc. They will gain velocity and energy in 16-20" barrels. The Sandbox might lose to those rounds fired from a carbine

[@OregonianPlinking]

Might as well of added .380 to this group test as well. Would of been fun to see the results. Great video. Much love from Oregon.

[@Grooove_e]

If she ain't 380 she aint....well you know the rest

[@yugoyankoff-vh7in]

COME ON MAN ! How’s life in that commie 💩💩💩 🕳️ ? Are you allowed to have weapons ? You are on the Worse Coast.

[@adquinta]

And no. .380 is about as boring as you can get. The ballistics are poop. Finding a round to feed consistently could be interesting.

[@blantant]

It would have to be +p to be interesting. The variability of standard loads is maddening for standard 380

[@mattmarzula]

​@@adquintawhat are you even talking about?

[@jhamm12]

My favorite part: .357 "Deformed it to high Hell!" Still laughing!! Great videos! Keep them coming Brotha!!

[@krashdude1]

Great video. You definitely gave the ol' 38 special every advantage possible using a 6 inch barrel! Puts things in perspective for sure, for those that still carry a .38 revolver with a 1 7/8" barrel. And 5 shots.

[@thomassuit7450]

He doesn't say what the loadings are. For all we know the .38 rounds were something weak like 130 grn, 800 fps rounds.

[@tonyromano6220]

.38 stubbies are for 2” away shooting.

[@corvanphoenix]

This channel settles it. I am building my post apocalyptic Palace out of sand. Prolly wouldn't use your "shield" technology though 🤣

[@bluescatreimer]

That's a really sweet setup you have there, I would love to have something like that. But living in the city it's not likely. I enjoy your vids.

[@psycophantic]

I'd like to see proper full pressure 10mm vs .357 mag. as they feel similar to shoot.

[@kyleg8928]

Proper .357 as well…that stuff was weak sauce.

[@kyleg8928]

But to be clear…proper 10mm is no match for .357mag properly loaded. .357 has a multiple hundreds ft per second for similar bullet grain.

[@psycophantic]

@@kyleg8928 buffalo bore hard cast for both is what id use

[@brianc9374]

357 wins. I believe when .357 was introduced it was 180gr at 1400fps out of a 6in barrel. It was used on lions in Africa and walrus up north. They nerfed it when police started carrying it.

[@jegr3398]

10mm is as close as an auto pistol can get to 357 mag (not counting 44 automags or Wildeys or big huge gas powered guns like Desert Eagles... I'm talking normal sized carryable auto pistols) But a 357 loaded to it's full potential still beats the 10mm. 10mm is certainly no slouch though and can match regularly loaded 357

[@TerryPullen]

Everyone is going to love my 6" thick sand-filled bullet-proof vest. I'm still developing the helmet.

[@stevemiller1517]

As effective as a solar powered dark room.

[@RWA98255]

Thanks! You are a very talented guy !

[@mongosafariadventure]

Good video. You do very well keeping the ammo comparisons as even as possible. Already posted below is the 357 Magnum rifle really gets the most out of that cartridge. Then reloaders can tweak our ammo for specific jobs. I like 357 M, 110 gr JHP for little critters and 158 hard cast SWC-GC for maximum penetration on medium size game.

[@DoctorMangler]

Great test, a lot of fun to watch this one.

[@javoratree3861]

If you are worried about camera angles, try putting 1/4” plexiglass in front of your shooting barrier. Anything that the plexiglass doesn’t stop outright should help deflect into the metal.

[@raymondstrehl3679]

I watch and hum "turning around" Seriously though your testing is thorough and Impressive Thanks

[@scottcastillo7936]

Nicely Done!

[@nickma71]

You do a pretty good job of making a level playing field for testing of all things. I put your testing in the camp of the legendary Paul Harrell. And while I like his meat target in place of basic gel testing, the hard barriers is useful and fun. Have you figured out why the Army and Marines fill sand bags yet? ;)

[@northshores7319]

In one of their books-Street Results or Stopping power- Evans and Marshall say that when the Glock was starting to be used by the Indiana State Police in 9mm that after several shootings at bad guys, they wanted their .357Magnum Revolvers back so they could drop the thugs with 1-2 shots instead of 8-9 shots. In those books Dick Fairbarn compiled a listing of real life police shootings and found that the .357 Magnum was the best by far. Although these books are from the 90's, they are great reads on how ammo was developed. I have always found my Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum a blast to shoot and have every confidence that the bad guys will not enjoy being shot with it. Good show.

[@dragonfly4494]

That book was debunked over 10 years ago. It's pretty pointless to discuss. There is no such thing as "stopping power." Come along now to the modern era where 90% of LEO use 9mm, 7% use .40 and the rest use .45,357 SIG.

[@garyfujinami9911]

Love the jazz oh yeah, and the testing too! I have and load all 3 so this was especially interesting

[@dburnside2554]

Love your work thank you

[@LRK-GT]

Suggestion for further testing: IMI "Uzi Food" 9x19 (+p++ "SMG only") vs .357 mag and .357 Sig?

[@dandyjones1185]

Great tests and interesting results! Thanks!

[@earlarthur9378]

Hey brother have you tested the 38 Super? I know little to nothing about that cartridge so I was wondering where it'd fall into the results of these three. Thank You!!

[@sheil07]

Would love to see a remix of this video, but with Liberty Civil Defense ammo. Those ballistics are bananas.

[@slash19961]

Loving that P09 super underrated ❤

[@gilbertl9513]

Those subscriber metrics have me a chuckle Lol!

[@jobo5650]

Just liked and subscribed. Very interesting and unique testing. Would like to see a test with .357 180gr hard cast. Maybe put some plywood on lower half of you protective shield. 😝

[@herknorth8691]

I've been curious about the 960 Rowland (a hot-rod 9mm that you can turn any 9x19 into with a barrel, recoil spring, and comp kit) and whether it's notably better than 9x19. I've also always been interested in the 9x25 Dillon too.

[@mattmarzula]

I played with 440 Cor-Bon in a 1911. Same concept. Heavier spring, comped barrel. Broke the slide stop after 12 rounds. Didn't feed reliably. Niche hot rod rounds are not worth it.

[@herknorth8691]

@@mattmarzula Interesting. A friend of mine has a .460 Rowland (made by Bar Sto) and it's held up quite well. Edit: that's in a Glock though.

[@thebeardedairgunner]

Excellent video brother! I truly enjoy these! I have an airgun that does what the .38 does in fps!

[@alucardthedumbyhead7970]

A thing you could add to your stand area is old police armor or some other type of soft armor so that catches any shrapnel coming back towards you

[@cjrogers1524]

“Ooh yeah that is a nice lookin wound Chanel right there” Solid pickup line.

[@CamppattonFamilyCompound]

With all of the lead from previous tests, could those bullets interfere with current making it through the sand box?

[@potroast1797]

That’s some really under powered 357 ammo you are using

[@jasonshults368]

Bullets matter far more than headstamps when it comes to penetration.

[@austinhuber3131]

Welcome to modern 357 Magnum

[@perseusrex614]

yeah that out of a 6" 😂 must have been using Fiocci 🤣

[@dickjohnson7845]

Yeah, modern commercial 357 ammo is way underpowered compared to it's predecessors years ago.

[@Alen725]

@@jasonshults368 No, simply no.

[@Turbogto_guy]

Not only will the 9mm blow the lungs out the back, it’ll blow the concrete out the back too.

[@joshuadeanb]

😂

[@GeoRedtick]

I thought it was a 5.56 that would blow the lungs out. Either way got to love JB.

[@mongosafariadventure]

You're right. I heard someone say that, therefore it must be true. LOL

[@scottmclemore7034]

Joe knows 🤣🤣

[@alexjones2924]

always enjoy your videos. you keep it far from the boring talky talky

[@vlogfriendsutopia]

Damn, that was a really slow 125 grain 357 Magnum load. You can get those up to 1700 FPS from a 6 inch barrel.

[@Alen725]

That was 142gr

[@vlogfriendsutopia]

@@Alen725 Oh, must've missed it, where does it say?

[@Alen725]

@@vlogfriendsutopia Close to the end of the video there is a table with data. Its still a weak round sadly, just not that light.

[@malibujoe01]

I would love to see a comparison in 9 mm and 357 cal handguns then a second test from a 9mm carbine and a 357 lever action firearms.

[@davidabernathy4553]

Well now this was a very interesting video and a very interesting caliber comparison. I think the comparison went about the way I thought it would. I would have like personally to see the 30 super carry compared to the 9 mm and I'm not really even a fan of a 30 super Carry but it would still be a interesting comparison.

[@Happ465]

Interesting videos. May I suggest a Magic Marker to mark which shots are which.

[@donniejobe5662]

Great vid … thanks.

[@shutnugget4310]

I enjoy these bullet comparisons, but in the description can you type the grain weight or ammo specifics if possible?

[@merc6]

I'm a big fan of all three calibers and all three are very capable cartridges.

[@nicorsar]

Couldn't agree with you more. All 3 will cause major damage - the 9 and the .357 will leave the corpse more marred up than the .38 corpse!

[@TheHanshotfirst]

I had no idea Ray Romano was into guns but this is very cool 👍

[@MarkSalisbury-qi2vw]

He's a cross between Ray Romano, and Sheldon Cooper, He's Sheldon Romano!

[@1COMIXMAN]

My aunt had a blued 38 special snub nose revolver with a ivory grip when I was a kid. It was her purse gun my uncle bought her for anniversary.. Mom liked the gun but not the color so my aunt bought mom a chromed out one with the ivory handles for her bday. Don't dismiss a 38 it's a pretty good caliber and small enough for for a lady to carry and shoot.

[@nightfall902]

It's all about hitting what you aim at.

[@timmotel5804]

Good Day. Excellent. Most enjoyable. Thank You & Best Regards.

[@Maddog3060]

That gel "bwoop" noise is glorious.

[@jw4620]

Consider marking hole for caliber shot. Really enjoy the channel.

[@erth2man]

I would like to see how a .38 Super auto round would compare with these other three rounds.

[@bertkilborne6464]

Very interesting ! I watched your 10 mm vs .45 ACP yesterday. On the wood block penetration test ihe .357 did but the 10 didn't

[@rickt10]

Most commercial 10mm ammo is loaded very wimpy these days. Gotta load them yourself to get decent power. Even so, 357 mag is dang good.

[@andydixon6873]

I knew the .357 would be the best but I was really surprised by the 9mm. I expected the 9mm to be better than the .38 but it still performed better than I expected.

[@brianc9374]

With .38 special everything depends on the load and barrel length. The FBI load out of a 4in barrel is pretty much peak .38spc

[@mediocreman2]

That 357 was a weak load

[@nigelman9506]

When testing 9mm, could you use a Berretta M92 FS Tactical, I found the extra barrel length makes a big difference

[@Deadly_DoRight]

part of the reason the 38 went through so clean was the projectile needs to be at a set velocity or higher to start the expansion. a very common issue for .38spl defensive loads is not reaching expansion velocity. Especially so in short barreled models like the commonly favored 2 and 3 inch models.

[@jeffreygettinger2134]

Try running the test with .500 smith and wesson magnum using the 700 grain hard cast.

[@Ezees23]

I had a 4-1/2" Dan Wesson .357 Magnum. Not only was it soft shooting, but it put small entry holes and big ol' exit holes in whatever it shot too, LOL.....

[@DustyNonya]

357 guys: He didnt use the 1700fps nuclear loads to overcompensate more! 9mm: Shot placement and 5 extra magazines help me cope. .38spc: forever alone 🤓

[@prjndigo]

Wrap the concrete edge with duct tape for more controlled results. Going through the ballistic gel block was the express purpose of the 38sp existing.

[@thinklikeido]

Wow big suprise!

[@georgematthews2877]

I lived for a year (1980-81) with the Inuit People in Brevig Mission, Alaska, out on the Seward Peninsula. You didn't leave the village without either a 357 Mag pistol, or a 30 ought 6 rifle for grizz protection!

[@bjoe74fm]

In 1985 the LA coroners court reported the most single shot upper torso kill shot was a 9 mm parabellum, the right kinetic energy for the frame of a human

[@mysticalweasel]

It would be interesting to see .38 and .357 out of a revolver vs. out of a rifle.

[@dotarsojat7725]

9mm Pistol vs. Carbine, too.

[@michaelheiss4456]

Looks like you were using a pretty hot 9mm cartridge . Trying to make it compete with the .357 Magnum . Maggie is my favorite one , always has been . Cool videos , Harry gets to live another day . 😅

[@edbecka233]

A .44 SPL VS 45 ACP comparison would be interesting and settle several points. 200 & 240 gr .44 GDHPs versus 200 & 230 gr .45 GDHPs would keep it pretty level. So would 246 gr LRN versus 230gr JRN. Side note: MP moulds make some great SWCHP moulds in both calibers. I've tested their 44-185 & 250 gr SWCHP in 44 SPL and "light magnum", their 45-215 gr SWCHP & the Lyman 45-190 RFHP "Devastator" (in 45ACP, 45 AutoRim & 45 Colt), and with normal pressure loads, all bullets powder-coated & the identical alloy, the penetration & expansion I'm seeing are as equal as frittatas & omelets. This held in firing the same loads from rifles. Firearms used were 4" S&W & 4-5/8" Ruger revolvers, 5" 1911 & XD45, 16" R92 and 20" B92. "Muh STOPPIN Powah"... In the works: .32-20 vs .38/.357 & .44 Mag vs .45 Colt +P & .30 Carbine vs .32-20 +P (rifle) vs .300 BO.

[@user-xw8rp8ql4s]

what kind of week 38's are you using?

[@marcuschauvin7039]

45-70 vs 444 marlin vs 450 bushmaster would a cool video!

[@Awannabestylist]

Here is a suggestion. An inexpensive plastic inside/outside analog caliper has a rod that extends out of the back to measure depth . You could use that rod to measure the actual depth of penetration of the bullets in wood etc. They're available at Harbor Freight or any home improvement store for a few dollars. Also as a retired law enforcement officer One of our concerns was overpenetration in a deadly force situation where the bullet might pass through the intended target and strike someone behind the target. In my experience in crime scenes, all of those bullets are deadly. Most of us carried .357 mag. revolvers for a reason for many years. Probably more people have been killed throughout history by the .22 LR cartridge than any other simply because of its vast availability.

[@Kisven]

Whpuld a longer barrel like say a repeater 357 do better for steel pen?

[@andrewblakesley4202]

I see lots of reviews where .38 Special, 9mm, .22 lr and .32 ACP "fails" a gel test. All I know is I'd hate to get shot with any of them.

[@Billfish57]

That's it, that's all you know?

[@GammaRayTrae]

Would love to see a test of imi 77 grain razor core vs 77 grain black hills 5.56

[@4673962]

9mm are always impressive for its size. Especially +p+ stuff out of something like a G34 length barrel. 124 gr. +P+ at 1250 fps is about 435 ft lbs. 1450 fps is 580 ft lbs, at 19 rds thats some decent fire power.

[@kennardjohnson7875]

Years ago Winchester western had metal piercing ammo, probably in the 50tys 60tys, wet magazine's is a good medium to use to.

[@1978garfield]

Have you ever tested .38 Special +P ? I find that to be in the "Goldilocks" zone. Harder hitting than .38 Spcl but les likely to over penetrate than .357 Mag.

[@savage22bolt32]

I saw that first round split in half & for a minute thought I was watching 22Plinkster!

[@markaronian3720]

What handguns were you using for the test ? Thanks

[@richardmerriam7044]

My favorite daily carry round was the 38+P Hydroshock in the S&W 4 inch #66 357 Magnum. Full power 357 had too much recoil for controllable follow-up shots.

[@NickFrom1228]

There was recently a news article about an 85 year old lady in Idaho that defended herself from an attacker/robber. She shot the 40 year old guy with a 357 twice. He emptied his 9mm hitting her 5 times, once in the chest, once in the stomach, the rest were leg and arm hits. She laid on the floor for hours (10 by one account) before her son helped her call 911 (he is significantly disabled). The bad guy made it as far as the kitchen and assumed room temperature. Two takeaways. 1. Granny is a touch bird 2. The 357 outclassed the 9 significantly

[@ST19859]

I wouldnt say significantly based on this test and many others I ve seen a 9 with modern defensive ammo handles its own just fine in most cases, facts are that any pistol is weak compared to a rifle or shotgun, the energy from a 357 is at best double that of the 9 while a 5.56 is quadruple. In the story you mention the guy just took two rounds to the chest from a 357, I m going to guess he probably didnt get off the most accurate shots on the lady, frankly amazing he hit her at all, I m also guessing he was only using ball ammo doubtful she would have survived if he had anything else. All that said she sounded like a remarkably tough old gal and I was glad to hear she made it

[@NickFrom1228]

@@ST19859 I agree, I think the type of ammo used played a significant role here, as well as shot placement. I'm just surprised a 85 year old lady could survive that.