Dark side

[Petrol & Powder]

I am very much a fan of both the 38 Special and the 9mm Luger. And yes, they do share nearly identical diameters.

Beyond the similarity of the diameters, they function very differently. The 9mm being a high-pressure cartridge and relying more on velocity to get the job done.

A lot of criticism surrounding both cartridges come from the widespread use of round nose bullets. The lead round nose 158 grain loading for the 38 Special was extremely common for decades, but not terribly effective as a SD round. The 115 FMJ loading for the 9mm also tended to degrade its terminal performance.

When loaded with the proper projectile and driven at the appropriate speed, both rounds are very capable.

 

[Winelover]

Until they start limiting magazine capacity, again............the larger calibers will stay out of favor with the majority.

 

[CZ93X62]

Glock pistols score poorly in aesthetics, but the things work. They score best in "Value received per dollar spent"; Add in the large number of factory trained armorers and 'smiths at large in our society, and it is difficult to remain opposed to the system.

 

[Brad]

Not many other handguns selling for $550 brand new.
they have a track record of reliability.
“Value received per dollar spent” sums them up well.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Not many other handguns selling for $550 brand new.
they have a track record of reliability.
“Value received per dollar spent” sums them up well.

Simple is GOOD

 

[Winelover]

As popular as Glocks are, never did run across many in Detroit gun shop, I frequented. Maybe they were sold out as fast as they came in the door.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Or people that owned them never sold them......

 

[Winelover]

A lot of criticism surrounding both cartridges come from the widespread use of round nose bullets. The lead round nose 158 grain loading for the 38 Special was extremely common for decades, but not terribly effective as a SD round. The 115 FMJ loading for the 9mm also tended to degrade its terminal performance.

You can equate that with archery equipment. too. A broadhead (JHP) will kill everything quicker than a field tip (FMJ) that will only punch a hole.

 

[Brad]

You can equate that with archery equipment. too. A broadhead (JHP) will kill everything quicker than a field tip (FMJ) that will only punch a hole.

I don’t want to be shot by either of them.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I don’t want to be shot by either of them.

Yes, but there's more to it if the adversary has the means and intent to harm you.

It's not enough to discourage your adversary from harming you, it is necessary to make your adversary incapable of harming you. That requires rapid incapacitation.

 

[Missionary]

My experience with the 9mm is very limited.
Have been around the 38 Special near all my life as that was my dad's favorite revolver. He was of the "heavy" cast idea and it always worked well.
"My" first pistol was a 1943 made Colt 1911A1 Property of the U.S.Army at Ft. Hood, Texas (that fine state). It was well used and well loose and had been with 1/66 Armor as far back as the records went. But what was far more interesting to me was what that FMJ Ball did on impact.

One day our old Platoon Sargent related a historical event. Seems he and another tank crewman were walking down a narrow street in Germany in the spring of 44. The other crewman was his tank commander. They were doing a recon on what was waiting around the corner. As they approached the corner a German soldier also came around the corner looking at them. The German had a p-38 in hand and rapidly shot the TC twice. The Tank Commander had his .45 1911 in his hand. After the German had shot twice the TC returned fire with one shot which knocked the German down who expired some time after.
Having picked up the p-38 to hand it to the TC the other crewman said, "Sarge your bleeding". He looked down at his mid-section and there was a growing stain on his OD Green shirt. He said something about being hit, turned around and walked back to the tank and had the radio man call for a medic jeep. No he never died and returned to the platoon weeks later.

So that made a bigger impression on my 20 year old mind. I have never wondered about whether a .45 would get the job done.
Years later after buying a couple 38's and a Dan Wesson 357 Mag, my next purchase was a Thompson Ordnance 1911A1. Still have it.
But I tend to carry more often a compact .45 1911A1. Mag only holds 6 rounds. But my ability to hit what I look at and the still interesting "thwap" that .45 soft cast 230 grain GI profile slug makes and the exit hole on soft skin beasts still makes me smile.

I should add we have a couple Glocks. 40 S&W, 45 ACP and a 10mm.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

anecdotal​

1: based on or consisting of reports or observations of usually unscientific observers

 

[Brad]

Good news is that we both shot them well. Bad news is that I need to rework my loads for 9mm. The CZ will take a much longer round and has a larger throat.

I really don’t want to need a .357 sizer, unless the CZ will shoot them too. I hate needing 2 sizes of the same bullet,

 

[CZ93X62]

I really don’t want to need a .357 sizer, unless the CZ will shoot them too. I hate needing 2 sizes of the same bullet,

Decisions like those aren't made so much by us, as by the firearms themselves. I have H&I dies from .355"-.359", then .361", .363", and .365". Also .308-314", and .316".

 

[Rick]

Decisions like those aren't made so much by us, as by the firearms themselves. I have H&I dies from .355"-.359", then .361", .363", and .365". Also .308-314", and .316".

Exactly. I have three Star sizer dies for most of the calibers I cast for. Not gonna get wrapped around the axle when one gun wants one size and another wants a different size. I segregate all my brass by gun anyway, a different size bullet doesn't matter much.

 

[waco]

II always kinda liked the way a Glock looked. Very business like. As for the grip angle, that’s another story….

 

[Brad]

I prefer to keep bullets in bulk and ammo the same way. My shooting is very different from yours Rick. Having 9mm brass segregated by gun just isn’t gonna happen.
I found a Lee sizer that I got from Paul and it gives a nice .3575 bullet. I was a full .001 over that.
In messing with dummy rounds and a sharpie I learned that the .3585 bullets hit the throat and causes the PC to get shaved off. I can seat my current bullets deeper or I can size smaller. Smaller seems to make more sense to me.

Once I get the Glock figured out I will try the ammo in the CZ and see how well it likes it,

 

[358156 hp]

II always kinda liked the way a Glock looked. Very business like. As for the grip angle, that’s another story….

Having to break my wrist angle to shoot Glocks was the deal-breaker for me. I've had perhaps ten different Glocks, in all calibers except 357 SIG. I could not comfortably adapt to them, and they all went away. I've considered having the grip angle modified on one, but decided to just walk away. Some guys love 'em...

 

[JWFilips]

It’s OK Jim. I still have many revolvers. She needed a 9mm and this was a good choice. Fits her hand well and will be ultra reliable.

Ok It is the 21st century and I am old! Send us some photos of her shooting of it.
My old friend ( Major collector & Shooter of 18th Century Firelocks) from NY retired from the police service and was allowed to purchase his service gun! Yes it was a Glock and he loves it!....The only one I ever fired was a 10 mm "stoked" maybe that put a bad taste in my mouth!

 

[Ian]

Two words, Brad: THROATING REAMER.