If there’s one thing backcountry hunters should agree on when it comes to picking between revolvers and semi-autos for bear defense it is this: Neither is ideal. A bear, whether attacking out of fear, ...

Summary: The debate between revolver cartridges like the .38 Special and semi-auto handgun cartridges such as the 9mm is often considered pointless by enthusiasts due to their distinct differences.

Truth be told I tend to shy away from comparing any revolver cartridge to any semi-auto handgun cartridge. It’s an apples-to-oranges type of comparison — there’s no practical reason for it, so ...