I have a few guns that uses .38 special ammo. Occasionally I will use that ammo in my .357 mag guns.

From some where at some time in the past, I acquired some plain .38 ammo. It was labeled .38spl.

It does not fit in my guns and I have never owned, nor have I heard of a plain .38 gun.

I do not know where this ammo came from and will toss it in some method since I cannot use it.

What is the difference between .38 and .38 spec? I know it is shorter than the .38special.

Why will it not fit in a .38 special handgun?

You most likely have some .38 Smith & Wesson cartridges, not .38 Special. The .38 S&W was introduced long before the .38 Special and has a slightly tapered case that is wider than a Special at both the case mouth as well as at the case head. The bullet diameter of a .38 S&W is 0.3610" and for the .38 Special it is 0.357". Lastly, the case is very much shorter than a Special case.

If your case has a headstamp that says .38 S&W you have your answer.

Quote: I do not know where this ammo came from and will toss it in some method since I cannot use it.


Before you toss it, post it in the classifieds. .38 S&W ammo isn't as easy to find as .38 Spl. I'd bet someone in your area would be willing to swap.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

I agree, .38 S&W ammo is harder to find than .38 S&W Special so don't just throw it away.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

PM sent. If we're in the same general area, let's get together and swap. I shoot both calibers and reload & cast bullets for both, too.

PM replied to.