If you want to buy the best-sized calibers for self-defense purposes, the .38 special & .357 are good choices. .38 Special vs. 357 are two similar but surprisingly different cartridges.
While their names imply a difference in diameter, .38 Special and .357 Magnum are the same widths. Only when looking at their length will you notice a difference?
Now, knowing the difference is essential when it comes to choosing the one caliber from these two.
This comparison guide will share information about these caliber specifications, history & development, bullet size, stopping power, recoil, velocity, applications & more.
Look deeper at 38 specials vs. 357 and what makes each great.
| Specifications | .357 Magnum | .38 Special |
| Place of origin | USA | United States |
| Designer | Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe | Smith and Wesson |
| Bullet diameter | .357 in (9.1 mm) | .357 in (9.1 mm) |
| Neck diameter | .379 in (9.6 mm) | 0.379 in (9.6mm) |
| Base diameter | .379 in (9.6 mm) | 0.379 in (9.6mm) |
| Designed | 1934 | 1898 |
| Rim diameter | .440 in (11.2 mm) | 0.44 in (11mm) |
| Case type | Rimmed (R), straight | Rimmed, Straight |
| Case length | 1.29 in (33 mm) | 1.155 in (29.3mm) |
| Case length | 1.29 in (33 mm) | 1.155 in (29.3mm) |
| Overall length | 1.59 in (40 mm) | 1.55 in (39mm) |
| Maximum pressure | 35,000 psi (241 MPa) | 17,000 PSI |
| Primer type | Small pistol, magnum | Small Pistol |
The.38 Special and.357 Magnum are two well-known and long-established revolver calibers.
Despite having a similar appearance, the two are very different from one another. An overview of each cartridge will follow:
The .38 Special and .357 Magnum cartridges have a rich history of development and refinement.
The .38 Special cartridge was developed by Smith & Wesson in 1898 as an improvement over their earlier .38 Long Colt cartridge. The goal was to create a more effective and powerful cartridge for law enforcement and self-defense.
It became popular among law enforcement agencies and civilian shooters due to its manageable recoil and effectiveness. Over the years, the .38 Special cartridge underwent various developments, including introducing different bullet weights and loadings for specific applications.
The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1934 as a direct result of law enforcement feedback and demand for a more powerful cartridge.
The cartridge was based on the .38 Special case but loaded too much higher pressure, increasing velocity and energy. The .357 Magnum was designed to offer superior stopping power, penetration, and range compared to the .38 Special.
Knowing bullet size is essential to get the best shooting experience. A larger & heavier bullet will be helpful to deliver more damage to the target.
When comparing both calibers for their bullet size & performance, the .357 Magnum defeats the .38 Special. The .38 Special typically fires bullets weighing 110 to 158 grains at moderate velocities, making it suitable for self-defense and target shooting.
In contrast, the .357 Magnum can handle a wider range of bullet weights (usually 125 to 180 grains) and achieves significantly higher muzzle velocities and energies. This extra power makes the .357 Magnum ideal for hunting and self-defense against the larger games.
When comparing the 38 Special vs. the .357 for its stopping power, The .357 Magnum is considered more powerful. The .357 Magnum can deliver devastating stopping power with appropriate bullet selection and shot placement. The increased velocity and energy of the .357 Magnum provide enhanced stopping power and penetration capabilities.
The larger power factor and deeper penetration of the .357 Magnum make it a preferred choice for self-defense scenarios where maximum stopping power is desired.
On the other hand, the 38 Special is known for its moderate power and controllable recoil. While the .38 Special can incapacitate an attacker, it may not provide the same penetration or terminal ballistics level as the .357 Magnum.
Knowing the ballistics is very essential to understanding everything that will happen to a bullet once it leaves the barrel of your firearm.
Lets see how these 2 bullets perform after leaving the barrel of your firearm.
All .38 Special rounds tested clocked in under 1,000 fps muzzle velocities. In the ballistic gel, all reached the minimum penetration of 12 inches, but one round penetrated.
As for expansion, we’re looking for about .54″expansion, which none of the rounds adequately reached.
A quick look at 38 Special cartridge ballistics.
| 38 Special Bullet WEIGHT | Muzzle VELOCITY (fps) | Muzzle ENERGY (ft. lbs.) | Mid-Range TRAJECTORY (in.) | Barrel Length (in.) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 50 yds. | 100 yds. | Muzzle | 50 yds. | 100 yds. | 50 yds. | 100 yds. | ||
| 100 Grain | 950 | 900 | n/a | 200 | 180 | n/a | 1.3 | n/a | 4-V |
| 110 Grain | 945 | 895 | 850 | 220 | 195 | 175 | 1.3 | 5.4 | 4-V |
| 110 Grain JHP | 995 | n/a | n/a | 242 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 125 Grain JHP | 1000 | n/a | n/a | 278 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 130 Grain | 775 | 745 | 710 | 175 | 160 | 120 | 1.9 | 7.9 | 4-V |
| 140 Grain Cowboy | 800 | 767 | 735 | 199 | 183 | 168 | n/a | n/a | 7.5-V |
| 140 Grain Multi-Ball | 830 | 730 | 505 | 215 | 130 | 80 | 2 | 10.6 | 4-V |
| 140 Grain JHP | 950 | n/a | n/a | 281 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 148 Grain | 710 | 635 | 565 | 165 | 130 | 105 | 2.4 | 10.6 | 4-V |
| 158 Grain | 755 | 725 | 690 | 200 | 185 | 170 | 2 | 8.3 | 4-V |
| 158 Grain JHP | 900 | n/a | n/a | 284 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
The .357 Magnum cartridge is known for its stopping power. So, as expected, it performed well in our gel test, showing high velocities and having no trouble penetrating to desired depths.
While none of the rounds tested expanded to the .54″ that we were looking for, as a whole, the .357 Magnum expanded better than the .38 Special.
A quick look at 357 Magnum cartridge ballistics.
| 337 Magnum Bullet WEIGHT | Muzzle VELOCITY (fps) | Muzzle ENERGY (ft. lbs.) | Mid-Range TRAJECTORY (in.) | Barrel Length (in.) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 50 yds. | 100 yds. | Muzzle | 50 yds. | 100 yds. | 50 yds. | 100 yds. | ||
| 115 Grain | 1520 | n/a | n/a | 593 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 124 Grain | 1450 | n/a | n/a | 578 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 125 Grain | 1350 | 1190 | 1080 | 510 | 395 | 325 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 4" |
| 135 Grain | 1225 | 1112 | 1031 | 450 | 371 | 319 | n/a | n/a | 4" |
| 147 Grain | 1225 | 1132 | 1060 | 490 | 418 | 367 | n/a | n/a | 4" |
| 150 Grain | 1130 | 1030 | 970 | 420 | 355 | 310 | 0.9 | 4 | n/a |
Recoil is one of the key factors to consider when contrasting .38 Special and.357.
The .38 Special often displays less recoil than the .357 Magnum because of its different power levels, making it more manageable, especially for novice or recoil-sensitive shooters.
It offers a comfortable shooting experience, making it a well-liked option for practice sessions and concealed carrying.
The .357 Magnum, on the other hand, produces more recoil because of its higher velocity and energy. While seasoned shooters may manage this recoil, accurate shooting with a .357 Magnum may require some practise and skill improvement.
| Cartridge | Recoil Energy (Ft-Lbs) | Recoil Velocity (Fps) |
| .357 Mag. (110; 1300; 44) | 4.1 | 9.8 |
| .357 Mag. (125; 1209; 28) | 8.9 | 18.1 |
| .357 Mag. (125; 1220; 44) | 4.6 | 10.4 |
| .357 Mag. (125; 1450; 44) | 7.2 | 13 |
| .357 Mag. (140; 1022; 44) | 4 | 9.6 |
| .357 Mag. (140; 1323; 44) | 7.9 | 13.6 |
| .357 Mag. (158; 1070; 28) | 9.4 | 18.6 |
| .357 Mag. (158; 1250; 44) | 8.7 | 14.3 |
| .357 Mag. (158; 925; 44) | 4 | 9.7 |
| .357 SIG (125; 1350; 28) | 7.4 | 16.6 |
| .38 Spec. (125; 850; 16) | 5.6 | 18.9 |
| .38 Spec. (130; 819; 36) | 2.2 | 8 |
| .38 Spec. (130; 950; 36) | 3.1 | 9.5 |
| .38 Spec. (140; 825; 36) | 2.7 | 8.8 |
| .38 Spec. (148 HBWC; 738; 36) | 2.1 | 7.8 |
| .38 Spec. +P (110; 1150; 36) | 4 | 10.7 |
| .38 Spec. +P (125; 975; 36) | 2.9 | 9.2 |
| .38 Spec. +P (158 LHP; 900; 36) | 4.3 | 11.1 |
The .38 Special is widely used for various purposes, including:
The .357 Magnum is known for its higher power and versatility, making it suitable for various applications, including:
When we compare the .38 Special vs .357 by price & availability, the 38 special is less expensive & widely available. 38 Numerous manufacturers produce special ammo, and is widely available from online ammo stores.
Because of their availability and affordability, 38 special calibers are popular for individuals who frequently engage in shooting activities or require large quantities of ammunition.
On the other hand, the .357 Magnum is also widely available but a bit more expensive than the 38 special.
After a long debate between .38 special vs. .357, both calibers have advantages.
The .38 Special ammo, especially the +P variety, is well known for its low recoil and has a distinguished track record as a superb self-defense round.
On the other hand, if you want pure strength and power, the .357 Magnum is the handgun caliber for you. It offers high velocity and higher pressure, making it known for incredible stopping power.
However, it's important to note that all this power comes at a considerably higher recoil and monetary cost to the shooter.
Choose the caliber according to your personal preference.
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