Ruger LCP vs. Smith J-Frame: Pros & Cons?

[JimCunn]

Mod the Sig P290 8-round mag to fit the P938.

[Screwball]

Mod the Sig P290 8-round mag to fit the P938.

Want 7 flush fit...

[JimCunn]

MagGuts hasn't done that one yet.

[RMiller]

642 ALL DAY.

I am biased though.

I carry one everywhere and it's easy.

[Henny]

But are you actually getting all the benefits of that full house 357 in a barrel just under 2 inches? Or is it just a lot of flash and noise? I know there are some rounds specifically formulated for short barrels. Not sure how much you're loosing going from a 4 inch to a 1.8 inch barrel but there is a loss

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With my snubby I think there’s a significant difference between +P and magnums.

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ETA: Sorry about the small pictures. 430 FPS is relatively significant. It’s the difference between subsonic and supersonic in this case.

[Ron3]

With my snubby I think there’s a significant difference between +P and magnums.

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ETA: Sorry about the small pictures. 430 FPS is relatively significant. It’s the difference between subsonic and supersonic in this case.

I agree that there are very few .38 loads that make a JHP-style hole and penetrate well in testing. And even then consistency is an issue.

There are many .357 magnum loads that can give 5 inch barrel 9x19 performance from a 1 7/8 in barreled revolver.

But they are quite brutal on the shooter and follow-ups are slow.

I like the reduced .357 loads like Hornady's Critical Duty (135 gr @1175 fps) and Remingtons Golden Saber (125 gr @1100 fps) in a snubbie. They test very well in gelatin and have recoil and blast closer to a .38 +P thus making follow-up shots closer to .38 +p as well.

[JimCunn]

That Remington load at 336 ft-lbs is fairly similar to my preferred 147gr 9x19 at 950 fps for 295 ft-lbs out of a 1-7/8 inch barrel. I tend to like slow heavy rounds.

[Ron3]

That Remington load at 336 ft-lbs is fairly similar to my preferred 147gr 9x19 at 950 fps for 295 ft-lbs out of a 1-7/8 inch barrel. I tend to like slow heavy rounds.

When I chrono'd the Federal 180 gr SJHP .357 magnum I averaged 970 fps from my LCR snubbie...so there ya go.

But it really torques the gun in the hand! Low flash and blast though. Always expanded in my milk jug, sand and mud "tests", too.

[JimCunn]

I might try a couple of those in my 637-2. For actual carry though, I'll probably stick with the convenience of my 9mm cylinders. I'm not an energy hound and often just carry a .380 for convenience and flatter pocket profile.

[Uni-Vibe]

The one thing revolver carriers have to come to terms with: in a short range death match, there is no reload. It's five bangs and a click, and then you die.

That's why eastern coppers carried multiple guns and did a New York reload.

If you carry a j frame, better carry three of them.

Or carry LCP and a couple spare mags. And stay alive.