[werewolf]

Weather is getting cooler here - I usually switch over to a 1911/Glock19 for winter carry due to the higher likelihood a bad guy might be more covered in more layers.

However, if you were going to carry all winter long and could only choose between a Mak or a .38spl, which would you choose.

With the Mak, you could choose the 115 gr Silver Bear which gives low end 9mm performance in a decent expanding bullet. Or in the .38spl, the old standby 158 gr +P LSWCHP.

I consider either platform (a Bulgy Mak in my case or a 3" bbl SP101) that I could carry to be completely reliable, so thats not the issue.

For some winter carry, I'm leaning toward the Mak - reliable, accurate at typical SD ranges and you get 9 rounds (ie one in the chamber - 8 in the mag) vs 5 in the SP 101 to start with. Also easier to conceal.

But, other boardmembers mileage may vary.

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there werewolf,

It would still be my S&W 642-2 for me.

My reasons would be the following:

If I had to, I could still shoot from inside the pocket of a outer garmet, i.e. overcoat.

My ammunition choices are still a lot better with the .38 special in a greater selection of rounds.

The 642 is still a lot lighter than my Bulgie Mak and if I am going to go to a heavier handgun, I would pick my BHP MK III for the nominal difference in size and weight.

Chris

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I'd go with the snub and the 158-gr. LSWCHP +P or maybe the new Corbon 110-gr. DPX +P in .38 Special as the DPX line does penetrate very nicely w/expansion. I have not had time to run my own tests on the latter so I cannot say for sure. The 115-gr. Brown/Silver Bear ammo does look to be a promising load in 9x18mm Mak, but I've not run anything extensive on it. The last batch I chronographed hit about 1020 ft/sec and the bullet did expand in various media including water. More current reports I've seen have this load running just under 1000 ft/sec. I don't know where the Russian JHP's threshhold velocity for expansion is....yet.

Best.

PS: If interested, here are some comparisons:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Comparisonof9x18mmMakarovetc.htm

 

[16gauge]

Dective special with Remingtion 158 grain SWC +P HP. As far as the concealment issue goes, if the bad guy is wrapped up in more layers, then chances are, so am I!

 

[Guest]

werewolf, this is one of the few areas SAC and I disagree on. I will take 8 rounds of Mak over 5 38 Special. Why? My Maks are totally reliable, accurate, and flater than a wheelgun. Regards, Richard

 

[werewolf]

Yeah Richard. Thats what I think gives the Mak the edge. Its flat enough to be carried in either an inside jacket pocket or jeans pocket and the extra rounds vs the snub make it the choice I lean to.

The fact my Bulgy Mak has displayed revolver like dependability (one of the few semi's in my collection I would resolutely bank one - my Glock 19 being the other), also gives it an edge.

 

[Guest]

Ive carried the Mak and the S&W 642. I enjoyed both but would rather have the Mak due to the same reasons as listed by others in this post.

 

[jonnyc]

Fired many revolvers, but never owned any, just don't like them as much as auto-pistols. I have a great DDR Makarov and would carry it before any revolver, even if the rev. was a better gun. Not a "dis", just what I'm more comfortable with.

 

[werewolf]

One thing though - best ammo you can get in the Mak is the Silver Bear pushing 1000 fps in 115 gr.

But does the snubs 158 gr +P LSWCHP or maybe the Auila 158 gr SJHP (pushes about 900 fps vs maybe 850 fps for the FBI Load) in their heavier bullet weight (greater sectional density ?( bear thinking about.

Or are we just theorizing too much and should concentrate on shot placement