S&W 357 Magnum vs 38 Special - Garmin C1 Pro!

Published on September 12, 2024
Duration: 15:34

This video compares the ballistic velocity of .357 Magnum and .38 Special ammunition across various barrel lengths (2-inch, 4-inch, 6-inch, and 8-inch) using a Garmin C1 Pro chronograph. The presenter also conducts trigger pull tests on several revolvers, including a Smith & Wesson 327, Colt Python, and a Smith & Wesson Competitor, highlighting the differences in trigger feel and weight.

Quick Summary

Comparing .357 Magnum and .38 Special, velocity increases significantly with barrel length. A 2-inch barrel yields about 635 ft/s for .38 Special and 1018 ft/s for .357 Magnum, while an 8-inch barrel pushes .357 Magnum to approximately 1323 ft/s, a gain of nearly 300 ft/s.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Setup
  2. 00:12S&W 327 Revolver Details
  3. 00:41Colt Python 357 (4-inch)
  4. 00:53Smith & Wesson Competitor (6-inch)
  5. 01:08Colt Python 357 (8-inch)
  6. 01:38Ammunition Used
  7. 01:57Garmin Chronograph Setup
  8. 02:31Testing .38 Special (2-inch Barrel)
  9. 04:58Testing .38 Special (4-inch Barrel)
  10. 05:49Testing .38 Special (6-inch Barrel)
  11. 06:32Testing .38 Special (8-inch Barrel)
  12. 07:43Testing .357 Magnum (2-inch Barrel)
  13. 07:49Trigger Test: S&W 327
  14. 08:35Trigger Test: Colt Python (4-inch)
  15. 08:51Trigger Test: S&W Competitor (6-inch)
  16. 09:14Trigger Test: Colt Python (8-inch)
  17. 09:53Testing .357 Magnum (2-inch Barrel) - Continued
  18. 10:36Testing .357 Magnum (4-inch Barrel)
  19. 11:13Testing .357 Magnum (6-inch Barrel)
  20. 12:19Testing .357 Magnum (8-inch Barrel)
  21. 13:40Comparison Summary & Discussion
  22. 14:11Final Velocity Recap
  23. 14:34Self-Defense Carry Discussion
  24. 14:49Viewer Favorite Gun Poll
  25. 15:21Outro & Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the velocity difference between .357 Magnum and .38 Special in a 2-inch barrel?

In a 2-inch barrel, .38 Special averaged around 635 ft/s, while .357 Magnum achieved approximately 1018 ft/s. This shows a significant velocity advantage for .357 Magnum even from a short barrel.

How does barrel length affect .357 Magnum velocity?

Barrel length dramatically impacts .357 Magnum velocity. A 2-inch barrel yielded around 1018 ft/s, while an 8-inch barrel pushed the velocity up to approximately 1323 ft/s, demonstrating a gain of nearly 300 ft/s.

What were the trigger pull weights for the tested revolvers?

The S&W 327 had a 3.5 lb single-action trigger. The Colt Python 4-inch was the lightest at just over 2.5 lbs. The S&W Competitor 6-inch was over 4 lbs, and the Colt Python 8-inch was 3.5 lbs.

What equipment was used for the ballistic testing?

The video used a Garmin C1 Pro Hex Zero chronograph to measure the muzzle velocity of the firearms. Federal 357 Magnum JSP 158gr and 158gr 38 Special ammunition were used for the tests.

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