😲So Much for .380 ACP and .38 Special Being Comparable! Underwood XTP Ammo 

Underwood touching .357 Mag level with their .38 +p. 1213 fps with 125gr from a 3 inch barrel is something you get with low end .357 mag.

Underwood does a dang good job. Shot some hard cast Keith 38 spcl +p and WOAH talk about a powerful round.

Bro, you put three of those 380's into an inch on that target at 40 yards! Your skills are growing.

I like the 38 spl +P in my J frame 357. With 357 the recoil is harsh, but the +P is manageable while still giving good performance.

I own a few dozen handguns in just about every caliber , and bought a lot of Underwood ammunition a few years ago when ammo was scarce . Since my friend owns a chronograph , I can say that their (Underwood) revolver ammo almost never achieves the rated velocities printed on the box . So , I'm quite impressed with the 125gr. 38special +P load you tested , it was right there in both velocity & performance . Great video and commentary !

Hey, I really love your channel! I'd like to see the most powerful .38 special round you have tested compared to the weakest .357 magnum round you have tested. I think that would be really interesting.

Well done! You made a number of very pertinent points. First of significance re. the 38 spcl, is that one has to be competent in DA shooting. Given that, I was a bit surprised at the obvious recoil in the non-airweight revolver. I believe you are correct that people who choose the 380 wish to reduce recoil to benefit repeat shot, to reduce handgun size, or - preferably - both. There are midsized double stack 380's about the weight of your revolver that provide reduced recoil and also double the capacity. That is a consideration.

Great comparison as usual SAM!

I agree with shooting primarily in DA - as that's what you'll be doing in a defensive situation anyway... Plus, it's quicker and more natural - making you a better shooter.

Boy those are hot 38 special loads. Those are comparable to some softer 357 mag loads.

The Ruger full size .380 EZ interests me a lot.

Great video! I’m loving that Underwood .38 special +P 125 grain in my 2inch 856. Shoots like a lazer. 25 yard pop cans are a breeze. I’m a long time .357 guy but this 856 and the Underwood ammo combo really has my attention.

My wife uses underwood 380 in her 3” Kahr but uses +p load for 90 grain at advertised 1200 fps. For a 38 special that was insane performance by the way. Id use it. Good stuff

For some reason to me it seems like the rounds traveled further than what you're saying it might just be the camera angle,not bad for a .380acp makes me feel more comfortable carrying mine.

Thanks for the comparison video. When I inherited my grandfather’s Smith & Wesson 38 special 5-inch revolver, I expected it to perform like my 5-inch 9mm pistol. However, I was surprised that it performed more like my wife’s 4-inch 380acp pistol. Your comparative test yields similar results to mine.

That's quite a hot 38 +p round, looks like it'd certainly do the trick!

I didn't know until your videos that 38 Special +P has a variety of loads ranging from way under 9 mm to more than 9 mm being close to .357 Magnum (as seen in this video). I've been shooting for about 5 years now & would like to buy a 357 Magnum revolver. Problem being I'm such a cheapskate that I don't want to pay the added cost of a good revolver and especially the much higher costs of ammo. I don't even shoot my 380 LCP2 because of the ammo cost. Since I like to shoot a lot, that only leaves the much cheaper 9 mm & 22LR to shoot. So I will resolve this problem by watching more of your excellent videos!

Even standard pressure 38spl with a 158gr can be pretty snappy from a little gun. It's not heavy on energy compared to things like 9mm and others, but that heavy bullet seems to be pretty effective. I wouldn't hesitate to carry 38spl wadcutter loads though, so take that for what it's worth. The 380acp is a fine round unless you're trying to shoot through a windshield or something.

P.S. Love your ramblings. Always something to consider & learn.

I would pick either one. But if my .45 acp or 9mm was within reach. Those win. Now place my .357 mag. On the table. And. That wins..

I really like your video presentations. Thank you for your service.

I wouldn't care to be on the business end of either! Appreciate the honest opinions and matter of fact approach.

If you compare the Underwood 380 plus P to big 3 company 125 gr 38 plus P they are comparable. But if you compare 38p+P to Underwood 38 plus p it's not close.

With the complaints about the comparisons not being fair, you should consider a comparison of a North American Arms mini revolver in .22 Long Rifle versus a Magnum Research BFR in .45-70. It's perfectly fair. They're both single action revolvers, and firing rifle rounds.

I tried some Underwood standard and +P loads with my LCP (shorter barrel than your EZ). Fairly brutal and both either went through 21 inches of gelatin completely or close. No expansion. With the .380, that longer barrel you have is going to be key, but it probably isn't what most are using.

Can vouch that that 38spl is one snappy round. Not the best performing load I've seen but not the worst either. Just a decent performing load it looks like... Once again great work, Sam. 👍

Thanks Sam. I agree with your single action verses double action revolver thoughts. Double action refines skill while single action less so.

Thanks another good comparison. As always thanks for sharing, and good shooting. Take care.

Nicely done, it seemed you were hesitant to give it to the .380 which I carry. Either would be fine. Thanks!

I agree with you, Underwood does make probably the best 38 special round. These days whenever I carry my Ruger LCR 357 I’ll put Underwood or maybe Gold dot in it.

I do like double action as I’m constantly correcting the sight as I’m pulling through on the trigger. My double taps on IDPA targets are snake eyes vs. a pair of single action shots. Might seem counterintuitive, but those are my results…

Interesting results, thanks for sharing!

Good info. Your view on DA v SA shooting was especially good. I need to try shooting with the middle part of my finger, which is what it appears you do. I tend to use the pad of the tip of my finger. I will see today if trying your technique works for me.

Dang! Those 38s got some horsepower! That’s what a full load 38 special should be👍

My 38 is a S&W 442, I agree you should shoot double action because in a self defense situation you won't have time to cock the hammer. Great video and revolver shooting tips👍👍

So I guess we can shoot the 38 +p instead of 357. But I still can not find those rounds. The four gun Shops in my town don't even have them. Good video Like always.

Yeah, that underwood 38 special +p has a lot of recoil. I shot it out of a snubby and thought It was a mistake, felt like a 357 loading. Very surprising.

Good thinking with the single shot vs double action!!!

I tried some of that Underwood 158gr +P hard cast lead flat nose through my Ruger LCRx 3" - it freaking hurt! I shot maybe 2-3 rounds and let my buddy finish off the cylinder: I didn't want to shoot it anymore. I have Remington 125 +P HTP semi-jacket HP and my hand handles it fine. The Underwood stuff was truly painful. Even up to my elbow I could feel the extreme shock: hot stuff!

Good video Sam. I'm sure you're already aware, but Underwood also loads the Hornady XTP to a "+P" energy at 1200fps. I carry that in my Bersa Thunder. I'm guessing you'd probably give up slight penetration & get much better XTP expansion. (Before some dude with a pocket protector & scotch taped glasses comments saying there is no such thing as SAAMI rated +P in 380 loads, I KNOW, but that's what Underwood calls it, and since they have two identical loads with one being higher pressure, I think calling it "+P" is fair & makes sense.

Not too bad with either/both. Very good opinion on double action. Thank you.

For Hornady Critical Defense 90gr 380 my Charter Arms 380 revolver with a 3 inch barrel has just about 219 ft-lbs Muzzle energy. For Hornady Critical Defense 110gr 38SP +P, my S&W 637 revolver with a 1.875" revolver has just about 225 ft-lbs Muzzle energy. So under this (perhaps unfair) scenario, the rounds are quite comparable.

I'm currently carrying Underwood 158 SWC +P in my M85, and Hornady Critical Duty 135 in my SCCY 9mm..

Bro in the Chrono test you put like 3 of those rounds in the same hole lol

Carry a .380 with a barrel slightly less than 4" As the gentleman said, it wasn't a competition. I feel my weapon is adequate and if it performs as it should, 3 or 4 rounds should be more than adequate for anything less than a bear. I understand that small is great for concealed, but the 2" barrel shortens the fps velocity significantly. If you're not happy or guessing, spend some time with a qualified instructor to fully understand what you're relying on.

Your tests are good! Very fair! And yes it's not a competition!!k question is what is a particular person going to buy...posses..or Carry's?...I do love revolvers though!!!!

Geez, save some accuracy for the rest of us.

I clocked that 38spl +p underwood load last weekend out of my m66-5 / 4" barrel, at 1220fps average. Same chrono you use.

Good test , revolvers rule .

Can't believe someone would think 380 could compete with 38

Very informative video! Well done, thank you!

I agree, I never shoot my revolvers single action even at 50 yards. You must learn a proper DA trigger stroke for self defense.

I’d like to see that repeated with the FTX bullet. That thing seems to expand in anything! I’ve got that +P .38 in my M&P Bodyguard and it stings! 😂

Shoot a couple hundred of those out of that Taurus and see if it can hold up...

XTPs always need speed to expand. They are a tougher harder bullet that expands less than a lot of hp bullets do today. They make a very good deer bullet if you can get the speed . Out of a .357 at 1400-1600 fps they are very very good deer bullets

Do you have any blued revolvers? I have a sweet spot for blue and wood.

I wouldn't want to use that 38 ammo in a light weight revolver

With the.38, you mentioned a different finger placement on the trigger between single and double action. I became certified as a timer by the AAU back in the day of wind-up stopwatches. For accuracy, the start/stop technique is to put the crown of the watch under the first joint of your finger where there's less padding, and then take up the small amount of vertical slack in the mechanism. You can parallel that motion to a trigger and primary/secondary travel. My question is why change finger placement on a trigger?

If I had the money, I would buy you a 50 BMG rifle so you test it on your gel.

I would agree that this is not a fair test

That Underwood 38Spl+P load seems to be more of a light magnum. I think I would carry it.

Filmed 4/7/23

It always seems like the more barriers you put in place the more penetration you get. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Agree with your assessments. And I really like Underwood ammo. Good performance, good value, and more cost effective than many other performance ammo. Those misses you didn't see were to the right of the target, trending low.

In defensive shooting I always emphasize DA for revolvers because SA requires you to fire of else ease the hammer down on a live round. Once you've lowered the hammer you have deprived yourself of that cartridge unless you cycle through every other chamber or open the cylinder and reset it. Neither action is practical under duress.

Soak your MDF in water for 4 or 5 hours for a closer effect to what bone would produce.

I never considered 380 as being as good as 38 Spl on the other hand I have met people using round nose lead 38 Spl. The only reason I'd do that is shoot it and get the brass! One ignoramus brought me his 38 and said the barrel is smoothbore! He was half right, there was enough lead in there to fill the rifling up!

Hell look at the difference in the cartridges! The 38 is way longer and generally bigger!

10:57-11:02 Amen! I shoot my Colt King Cobra double action and it’s much more accurate for me & many others who have tried it both ways!

I may have missed a vid where you did this. But you ever do or thought of doing a comparison vid between shooting into gel vs. water jugs for results?

Any fish in that pond ? Can look with camera ?

Your getting hits at forty but a few wild misses , not sure why, we know you're a great shot.(not related but something to share) "Tactical Hive" Guy's do some drills on shrinking distance moving closer as your shooting too increase the odds of good hits , the key is short stepping to reduce bounce in your gate . I like your testing of different caliber in jell, penetrations, those 38+P were hot ! The 380 did very good at +12".

Have you tried Underwood maximum expansion? They just stopped the production of their 125 grain bjhp gold dots and I'm considering on waiting until they produce their maximum expansion in plus p before I carry it.. Tools and targets has a good video on it but penetration was a bit shallow

The accurate comparison would have been .380 and .38 Special, NOT .38 Special +P.

who has a 6 inch barrel .380 acp?

I wonder which .380 JHPs will expand through MDF? GOLDEN SABER or maybe hydrashok? There is a new .380 w LONG barrel that interests me IF can really get jhp expansion

Got a question about woods carry down here in Okla. where we have feral dogs and pigs a plenty. Would WWB 95 GR fmj work as well as Underwood 100gr hardcast? That is, in my .380 EZ. Std pressure for both.

I have this ammo loaded in my J-frame. Have you tested this in a snubbie? I can''t remember seeing a video for it but there are so many.

Thanks, Sam. One thing I don't understand about Underwood and other brands as well. I have semi-wadcutters that state on the box 1000fps and are classified by the mfg as standard pressure. I also have semi-wadcutter hollow points that state 1000 on the box and they are rated as plus p. How is that possible. Also, Underwood seems to lower or raise the fps so trying to buy the same round is getting difficult. I know they are all rated on the box for 4" revolvers so two inch I would expect at 100fps lower. Thoughts??

Weak revolver rounds? Did I hear you mis-speaking comparing to revolver ammo from underwood? I have 158gr 357 from them rated at 1500fps. Their 44mag 240gr is rated above 1400fps, and 210gr 41mag that I have clocks in around 1500 as well....

What 38sp round do you actually carry in that 3” 856? I just got mine and was wondering your optimum choice…

Who thinks .380 acp would be comparable to .38+p, especially w/underwood ammo? Maybe 9mm vs. .38+p.

A lot of 380s are not rated for +p.

Just ordered some over the weekend for my dad since they had a sale. $10.79 a box. The item number is 151 it doesn’t list what bullet they actually use if anyone knows what it is?

I have a 9mm revolver that holds 5 rounds. I have a 9mm pistol that holds 7+1 rounds. Both guns can be pocket carried. The revolver is a little heavier, but has far more felt recoil and the trigger pull is about three times as heavy as that of the pistol. And of course, it's better to have 8 rounds than 5 rounds. It's easier to load a spare magazine into a pistol than to load a 5 round moon clip into a revolver. The only advantage to a revolver is that you don't leave spent shells laying around to spoil the environment and increase climate change. Those are the reasons I never use my revolver as my edc. Of course, someone will say a revolver is more reliable than a pistol. I call BS on that. I clean and lube pistol after every 100 rounds (you should do that with any firearm) and I never, ever have had any problems with that pistol, even with remanufactured ammo. Yes, there are pistols that are unreliable. I own a Remington R51 which I will never sell because I have too much character and love for my fellow man to do that. .380 v 38 special? Yes, I believe the ballistics are better with a 38 special. However, I have a Sig p365 in 380 which has all the good qualities of my 9mm pistol and one extra quality which neither the pistol nor the revolver have. The 380 has low recoil and a short, light trigger pull with an even shorter reset. I can put 3 rounds on target at a longer distance with my 380 in the same time frame that someone with a 38+p revolver is still getting his sights lined up after the first shot. I'd say 3 from a 380 is preferable to one from a 38+p.

Have you done anything with 32acp?

Yay for 380acp !!!!!!

So if you would use 38 standard pressure would the 38 win?

👍😊

RoaR

👍

I love your videos but who wears 4 layers of denim 🤔

Bump

Love Underwood! Xtreme penetrators FTW!

.38 Special +P is more powerful than .380. Larger cartridge and heavier bullet.

You was pulling those shots at 40 because that single action shot was dead center most of the rest was left and I think your first shot was to the right which I don't blame you I do it myself too sometimes 🤷🏻‍♂️ especially revolver's it's not easy to shoot a revolver well personally I shoot single action in a revolver better I'd rather adjust my grip and take my time because most double action triggers are horrendous

Can you please do the same test with a glock 42/j frame? Thanks for what you do.

👍