For example, one of the better deals we bought before the current troubles started were Brownells 500-round ammo bundles (both included MTM ammo boxes): Winchester USA White Box 9mm Luger 115-gr. On a price-per-round basis, we found more 9mm ammo at a lower price than similar bullet weights of 38 Special. When we began researching this test, it seemed that economics put the 9mm squarely ahead of the 38. But we also looked at the cost of consumables to see if, over time, one cartridge had an edge. Certainly, the best gun would win and earn our favor. In this two-way test, we evaluated four handguns, three revolvers chambered for 38 Special and two revolvers chambered for 9mm Luger. On the 38 Specials side is the fact that dozens of revolvers from Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Rossi, Charter, Taurus, and many others are chambered for the round, compared to a paltry few 9mms, some of which must use half-moon or moon clips to function. To be fair, the 38 Special is also chambered for long guns, primarily lever guns.

Also, many carbines are chambered for 9mm, which makes it a handy choice for a long gun/handgun duo, even if the handgun is a revolver. In the same power range as the 38 Special is the 9mm Luger (aka 9mm Parabellum or 9x19mm), which has the added benefit of being loaded more widely, often at less cost per round, than the 38 Special. As part of our new Bargain Hunter series, we wanted to challenge the conventional notion that a wheelgun chambered in 38 Special should be the de facto winner of any boot-gun showdown simply because it has always won those battles in the past. The 38 Special revolver has long been a standard as a back-up and concealed-carry handgun. We tested two 9mm and two 38 Special handguns in the March 2013 issue.

Charter arms 9mm revolver