Lindcott Armory Compare / .38 Special vs .380 ACP
Cartridge comparison
.38 Special vs .380 ACP
.38 Special carries more energy (310 vs 220 ft·lb); .380 ACP recoils less.
.38 Special →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.380 ACP →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .38 Special | .380 ACP | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Revolver | Pistol |
| Introduced | 1898 | 1908 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.357″ | 0.355″ |
| Case length | 1.155″ | 0.68″ |
| Velocity | 710–1,000 fps | 950–1,000 fps |
| Energy | 200–310 ft·lb | 190–220 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 17,000 psi | 21,500 psi |
| Recoil | 6–10 ft·lb | 4–6.5 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 50 yd | 25 yd |
FAQs
- Does .38 Special hit harder than .380 ACP?
- .38 Special carries more muzzle energy (310 vs 220 ft·lb).