The myth of the snub nose 357 revolver

[Lou Newton]

The Ruger SP101 in 357 Magnum is a popular gun for self defense. I would like to show that a tiny Taurus 738 TCP in 380 ACP is almost as powerful. Now that may be hard to believe, but please read on and let me burst the myth of the snub nose 357. 5718.jpg

• Model: 5718
• Caliber: 357 Mag
• Spec Sheet
• Buy Now

• Capacity: 5
• Barrel Length: 2.25"
• MSRP: $719.00

• MODEL NUMBER: 5718
• CALIBER: 357 MAG

• GripsBlack Rubber
• Front SightBlack Ramp
• Barrel Length2.25"
• MaterialStainless Steel

• Capacity5
• Rear SightIntegral
• Twist1:16" RH
• FinishSatin Stainless

• Overall Length7.20"
• Weight 26 oz.
• Grooves5
• CA ApprovedYes
• MA Approved & CertifiedYes
• Suggested Retail$719.00

Below is the Taurus TCP 380 semi auto. Ruger also makes one similar to it in 380. They are very small and light. And I paid $199 for mine.

DESCRIPTION SPECS PARTS VIDEO NRA MEMBERSHIP Model: 738FS Finish: Blue Steel Status: Discontinued Caliber: 380 Auto Grips: Checkered Polymer UPC: 7-25327-61067-0 Capacity: 6 +1 Weight: 10.2 Oz Barrel Length: 2.84" Frame: Compact Action: DAO Front Sight: Fixed Length: 5-1/4" Trigger Type: Smooth Order #: 1-738031FS MSRP: $254.02 SPEC SHEET For your convenience, please click here to print out a SPEC SHEET so that you may take it to your dealer for ordering. Now lets look at the performance of the two: .357 Mag Results in fps Click here for a Muzzle Energy graph for the tests in this caliber. And remember to also check the list of ammunition tested as part of the Cylinder Gap tests. barrel length Cor Bon 110 gr. JHP Cor Bon 125 gr. JHP Cor Bon 140 gr. JHP Cor Bon 125 gr. DPX Federal 125 gr. JHP Federal 158 gr. JHP Federal 130 gr. Hydra-Shok JHP low recoil Federal 158 gr. Hydra-Shok JHP 18" 1718 2113 1941 1936 2072 1719 2017 1721 17" 1686 2067 1947 1907 2026 1689 2009 1712 16" 1790 2119 2004 1946 2051 1739 2044 1741 15" 1728 2069 1942 1915 2032 1708 2012 1718 14" 1691 2054 1933 1897 2017 1732 1993 1715 13" 1682 2024 1916 1885 1979 1674 1984 1687 12" 1725 1994 1851 1858 1945 1654 1934 1679 11" 1667 1978 1814 1831 1973 1643 1922 1671 10" 1619 1943 1802 1804 1943 1630 1922 1638 9" 1615 1901 1745 1779 1881 1563 1812 1586 8" 1600 1851 1717 1728 1817 1570 1810 1593 7" 1578 1784 1671 1682 1784 1516 1765 1536 6" 1461 1715 1580 1648 1702 1465 1662 1485 5" 1377 1614 1493 1552 1571 1373 1586 1402 4" 1286 1496 1394 1471 1511 1293 1453 1332 3" 1109 1257 1172 1271 1255 1102 1194 1122 2" 928 904 911 1050 949 858 919 The Corbon 125 grain DPX is the most powerful in the 2" barrel. 1050 FPS and 125 grain calculates to 306 foot pounds of energy.

Now let's look at the tiny TCP 380:

real world weapons

Buffalo Bore 90 gr. JHP +P

Buffalo Bore 95 gr. FMJ +P

Cor Bon 80 gr. DPX

Hornady 90 gr. HP/XPT FPD

Speer 90 gr. Gold Dot

Winchester 85 gr. Silvertip

Winchester 95 gr. PDX1

Taurus 738 TCP 2.84" barrel

1057

961

895

802

913

869

888

The charts do not line up well. But the Buffalo Bore 90 grain load is the most powerful.

1057 FPS @ 90 grains equals 223 foot pounds of energy.

So the $719 gun known as a powerhouse that weighs 26 Oz has 306 foot pounds of energy. Or 83 foot pounds more than the tiny 380.

But the pipsqueak mouse gun that cost $254 and weighs 10.2 oz has 223 foot pounds of energy.

Plus the 357 kicks like a mule and has a really loud muzzle blast. It is not fun to shoot.

The tiny TCP is snappy because it is so light, but it is not loud.

You have to have a 4" barrel on a 357 revolver before it has the power of a real 357. It loses most of it's power with really short barrels.

I was helping someone choose between the two and thought others might benefit from this info.

[glen smith]

Lou, are you in a location where self protection is a concern? In Arlington, Texas there are places or times when it is wise to avoid. Home invasion is the greatest concern. My hand grip is becoming too week to pull the slide on semi-automatics. I may eventual purchase a short barrel revolver. I don't think it is just the shorter barrels but the gap between the barrel and the cylinder which reduces energy in revolvers. I am seldom armed because I am careful when and where we go.

[Steve Hollander]

Thanks Lou. I have the LCP. I like it and maybe someday I will get a TCP.

[Lou Newton]

Thanks Lou. I have the LCP. I like it and maybe someday I will get a TCP.

Thanks for the reply Steve. The LCP is a good choice too. They do not make the TCP anymore, but you can find one used.

The TCP has a slide hold and the LCP does not, that is the main difference.

[Lou Newton]

Lou, are you in a location where self protection is a concern? In Arlington, Texas there are places or times when it is wise to avoid. Home invasion is the greatest concern. My hand grip is becoming too week to pull the slide on semi-automatics. I may eventual purchase a short barrel revolver. I don't think it is just the shorter barrels but the gap between the barrel and the cylinder which reduces energy in revolvers. I am seldom armed because I am careful when and where we go.

Hi Glen, welcome to the forum. We look forward to your posts.

Yes, self defense is a concern here.

There are semi autos made with a very easy to operate slide.

A revolver has a pretty stiff double action trigger pull and the hammer is not real easy to pull back for single action.

It is not only the cylinder gap, but short barrel revolvers do not give the powder enough time to burn.

In a 357 here's the muzzle energy in foot pounds for different barrel lengths:

2" - 306
3" - 440
4" - 640

But I certainly would NOT recommend a 357 for a person with limited hand strength. They kick like a mule in a small light gun. Ask me how I know.

Here is the muzzle energy for a 38 revolver:

1.875" - 230 ft# That is OK for self defense and the recoil is much less and also the blast. Less powder is wasted in the 38 then the 357 in a short barrel.

BUT a 380 ACP pistol has a much lighter trigger pull and it has more rounds in the magazine.

A Walther PK 380's has a very easy to rack slide because of it's design. It is not expensive. It has about 265 ft # of muzzle energy.

Also you can get a semi auto with a tip up barrel that you do not have to rack the slide at all. They are made for people with limited hand strength. The Beretta 86 is the only one I know in 380, but Beretta makes others in 32 and 25 and 22lr.

You may be able to rack a slide more than you think. I do not know if you are using the best technique to do this. Instead of grabbing the slide with your finger and thumb and pulling, do it this way:

Stand with one hand pushing against the other hand in front of your chest. put the gun in one hand with your hand on the grip. Push on the slide with the other hand toward your hand holding the grip. This pushing instead of pulling enables many that can not rack the slide the other way to be able to do it.