Caliber matchup
| Metric | 9mm Luger | .38 Special |
|---|---|---|
| Typical bullet | 124 gr | 130 gr |
| Muzzle velocity | 1150 fps | 890 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 364 ft·lb | 229 ft·lb |
| Cost per round | $0.28 | $0.40 |
| Recoil | Mild | Light-moderate |
| Introduced | 1901 | 1898 |
| Best role | Defense / duty standard | Revolver classic |
9mm Luger: The default defensive handgun round worldwide; huge ammo variety and capacity advantage.
.38 Special: Soft-shooting revolver staple; +P loads close some of the gap to 9mm.
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