S&W 4th model Top Latch 38 Ammo??

jrunner · #1 09-21-2013, 05:24 PM

Hello what kind of todays ammo and brand can i use safely in my S&W 4th model 38 top latch. Thank you in advance.

murphydog · #2 09-21-2013, 06:15 PM

If it is mechanically sound, any modern .38 S & W (not Special) 146 gr RNL load from Remington, Magtech, etc. should be fine. They are intentionally loaded light to use in older guns. If in doubt, a gunsmith checkup would be in order.

jrunner · #3 09-24-2013, 08:43 PM

Thank you Murphydog for the quick reply. I went to a couple of store's here in Los angeles and couldnt find what I needed. i did call a store in burbank ca and they said that they have 38 smith and wesson not special. is that the cartridge that I need for my top break?? The other stores called it 38 short?? are they the same?? I dont have any ammo to compare the cartridge to. Thank you.

glowe · #4 09-24-2013, 10:14 PM

There is really no such thing as a 38 Short caliber for S&W top-break revolvers. The company named the caliber simply 38 S&W. There is a 38 Short Colt caliber that will work in the S&Ws, so that may be where some get the caliber names confused. AmmoSeek online site makes the same mistake.

AmmoSeek

Handgun Calibers (79)
. . .
.38 S&W
.38 S&W Short
.38 Short Colt
. . .

There is also a European caliber called 38 Corto which will chamber in the 38 S&W revolver. Fiocchi markets this ammo.

murphydog · #5 09-24-2013, 10:24 PM

Yes, .38 S & W is what you seek. Try not to gasp at the price...

ArchAngelCD · #6 09-25-2013, 05:38 AM

Where I live the cost of 38 S&W ammo is so prohibitive I bought a set of dies to reload my own even though I don't shoot that revolver much. I'm loading a 170gr bullet and a 200gr bullet which replicated the British 38/200 round.

DWalt · #7 09-25-2013, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArchAngelCD

Where I live the cost of 38 S&W ammo is so prohibitive I bought a set of dies to reload my own even though I don't shoot that revolver much. I'm loading a 170gr bullet and a 200gr bullet which replicated the British 38/200 round.

Loading your own is the only way to go if you want to shoot .38 S&W much. I have loaded them since the 1970s. For a long time I used just .357-.358" .38 Special bullets with no problems. For the last year or so, I have been using 145 grain .361" cast bullets from Missouri Bullet Co. using 3.0 grains of Unique. It's a great load, quite mild, and certainly OK in the old top breaks. I use .38 Super reloading dies.

ArchAngelCD · #8 09-26-2013, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWalt

Loading your own is the only way to go if you want to shoot .38 S&W much. I have loaded them since the 1970s. For a long time I used just .357-.358" .38 Special bullets with no problems. For the last year or so, I have been using 145 grain .361" cast bullets from Missouri Bullet Co. using 3.0 grains of Unique. It's a great load, quite mild, and certainly OK in the old top breaks. I use .38 Super reloading dies.

The Western Bullet Company has several bullets that will work in the 38 S&W. The 170gr bullet I'm using most is made with a H&G #512 mold and sized to .360", VERY accurate. The 200gr bullet is also sized to .360" or .358" from a Lyman #358430 mold. They also have a 150gr bullet they market for the 38 S&W from a Lyman #35864 mold but for some reason that bullet is sized @ .358" instead of .360". I like the 170gr bullet so much I never did bother ordering the 150gr bullet. The Enfield No.2 is a stout revolver so I can push the 170gr bullet to workable velocities.

LaVistaBill · #9 09-26-2013, 01:37 AM

jrunner, if you didn't live in LA/CA I'd suggest going to some gun shows and look for tables with old ammo. I've picked up a few good deals on older cartridges like the .38 S&W, .32-20 and recently a full box of Western Super-X .38 Special High Speed cartridges that they let me have for $25! I'm going to a small gun show this weekend and you can bet I'll have my eyes peeled for older ammo.