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A scaled-up version of the .38 Special, the .357 Magnum revolver offers ballistic performance on par with a 9mm submachinegun or other long-barrel 9x19mm firearm.
While a very effective round, the .357 suffers from (you guessed it): projectile dysfunction. This is because the bullets utilized for the caliber are small in diameter relative to the powder charge pushing it - terminal ballistic efficiency in handguns is generally realized with heavier bullets and low velocities. This allows larger expansion and better penetration than the 'fast and light' bullets. However, due to the great velocities of the .357 Magnum, many bullets are pushed to their mechanical limits in 4" or longer barrels. In all, the .357 provides the same performance as the 9x19mm, but penetrates significantly deeper.
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