Why is .38 Special still popular for defensive use when

>>34615011
people cant handle the recoil

>>34615011
I don't know op, Why is being a fag on /k/ so popular when /lgbt/ exists?

Because there are literally millions of .38 Special revolvers already on the used market. That and snub noses aren't very fun when fired with .357

How good is .44 special for home defense?
I fell for the Dirt Harry meme, and while shooting magnum is fun I'm considering keeping specials in it when not at the range. I have no interest in firing .44 magnums in my small apartment, presumably with no earpro.

>>34615011
Because the power of a .357 is wasted in a 2" snub nose that can't get the bullet up to a high velocity. For small barrel lengths, .38 +P is just as effective with the added benefit of having less recoil.

>>34615113
This

>>34615043
or efficient. Judging from the ballistics data I've seen, .357 mag significantly under performs in snub noses due to the expanding gas not having much time to accelerate the bullet in a short barrel. The bullets doesn't end up with as much KE and the muzzle blast is exaggerated.
A .38 SPC with P+ ends up being a small downgrade in power for a much more controllable gun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-d1XQQWDUU

>>34615127
>.357 mag significantly under performs in snub noses

Seems to perform fine here

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/

>>34615067
Adequate with good shot placement, but I'd still prefer .44 mag and accept the noise and potential mess.

>>34615139
>http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/

Look at identical .357 cartridges out of 2" vs 4" barrels and then compare with a .38 +P out of a 2". The .357 ends up wasting much of its potential energy as muzzle blast out of a short barrel and ends up only being slightly hotter than a .38 +P.

>>34615011
Because people have learned to hold on loosely without letting go

>>34615067
Comparable to .45 acp with defensive loads, though defensive loads for the .44 magnum are available.

>>34615192
>2 inch barrel
>~200fps difference per load
>"slightly hotter"

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>>34615210

>>34615113
Bullshit. Even in short barrels, 357 is much better than 38 special. Even more so in 3 inch barrels.

>>34615192
You don't understand ballistics do you?

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>>34615030
A thread died for this...

>>34615030
/thread