which is better as the backup backup round?

.38 special will push a 125 grain bullet almost as fast as the .380 will push a 90 grain slug. More penetration=more reliable stopper.

Gold Dot® - 38 Special +P
38 Special +P 125 GDHP 945 FPS muzzle velocity

Gold Dot® - 380 Auto
380 Auto 90 GDHP  990 FPS muzzle velocity

.38spl

Yeah, but you can't put a .38spl round in a Keltec P3AT...

whichever one is chambered by the pistol/revolver you will carry and shoot well.

Quoted: .38 special will push a 125 grain bullet almost as fast as the .380 will push a 90 grain slug. More penetration=more reliable stopper. Gold Dot® - 38 Special +P 38 Special +P 125 GDHP 945 FPS muzzle velocity Gold Dot® - 380 Auto 380 Auto 90 GDHP  990 FPS muzzle velocity

wow i didn't know that.  good numbers.

I'm thinking SW 5 round 38 spll no hammer versus sig 230 (I haven't had a chance to hold a 5 round 357 versus a 5 round 38 though...  so could be the former)

The ballistic differences are trivial.

.380 usually holds more rounds and more accurate.  Wheel gun usually more reliable.  I'd say it's a coin toss.  But I would prefer the .380 personally.

38 Special or .380 ACP ?

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- Teflon

Finally I get to do it!




GET BOTH!!!  I've got a Keltec .380 for an extreme concealed backup and a S&W .38spl with a bobbed hammer which I normally carry as a backup.  I much prefer carrying the S&W as I feel it has more power and accuracy than the Keltec.  Plus the revolver is more fun to shoot, for me.

I have always promoted the 2" snub as the ultimate BUG. You can't beat 5 rounds of the new 135 +P load from speer, in a compact revolver.

However, I recently bought a Kel-Tec P-3AT find it is a darn neat little gun. 7 rounds of .380 is also a good choice for BUG purposes. Mine has been just as reliable as my revolver.

I think the .38 revolver is still more powerful, offers more penetration, and the speer round is guarenteed to open up even after going through thick clothing in the winter time. However the .380 is more concealable and offers two extra rounds, I also trust the .380 round to be effective in a situation requiring a BUG (i.e. worst case scenario). Bottom line, both are great choices and you can't go wrong with either.

Since you suggest you are considering a 2" snub and Sig 230, I would suggest the S&W revolver as I beleive it is more concealable in a pocket or on an ankle, two of the most popular places BUGs are kept.