Safe Use of Mag tech .38 super auto+p 130 gr

[James J]

I inadvertently purchased one box of Koenig .38 super 110 gr JHP and one box Mag Tech .38 Super Auto +p 130 gr.
Can these rounds be safely fired from a Smith & Wesson Model 19. Or Smith & Wesson Model 36 or Smith & Wesson Model 442-1 38 special +P air weight. Thanks in advance
Ammo is hard to find now

 

[Rpg]

NO!

38 super is a different cartridge from 38 Special or 357 magnum. They are not interchangeable.

Your M 19, M36, and M442 are chambered for 38special. The M19 is also chambered for 357 magnum.

 

[leonardocarrillo]

The .38 super Auto ammunition is for semi-automatic pistols, not revolver.

 

[deyomatic]

It's your lucky day- an excuse to go shopping for something chambered in .38 Super.

 

[colt_saa]

James,
Welcome to the Forum

Depending on how the chambers are cut, many 357 Magnum revolvers can chamber and fire 38 Super Auto ammunition

If the 38 Super Auto rounds drop into your Model 19 cylinder, they can be fired without the fear of catastrophic failure of the firearm

Because of the semi-rim the extractor might not eject them but the cases should fall out if you point the barrel toward the sky.

All that being said, if you have a local gun board, you might what to post an offer to trade for 357 Magnum ammunition

You might also check with the vendor you bought these from and see if they will give you a store credit toward proper ammunition for your firearms

 

[stansdds]

I inadvertently purchased one box of Koenig .38 super 110 gr JHP and one box Mag Tech .38 Super Auto +p 130 gr.
Can these rounds be safely fired from a Smith & Wesson Model 19. Or Smith & Wesson Model 36 or Smith & Wesson Model 442-1 38 special +P air weight. Thanks in advance
Ammo is hard to find now

First, welcome to the S&W Forums!

Second, whoa! 38 Super (aka 38 Super +P) is for semi-auto pistols chambered in 38 Super. It is not meant to be fired in firearms chambered in 38 Special or 357 Magnum.

Third, I have to ask, what is your level of firearms experience. If you are a first-time firearms owner, I highly recommend taking a firearms safety and training course.

 

[Golddollar]

The .38 super Auto ammunition is for semi-automatic pistols, not revolver.

A gun shop that I patronize frequently had some .38 Super shells so each time I'm in there I get a couple boxes. They always ask me if I know what they are for. Being a ham actor at heart, I pantomined with my hands and imitated the sound of a slide being retracted to chamber a round. The last time I was there the cashier pointed out a couple boxes of .38 Super shells that had been bought and brought back about 3 times.

 

[Donn]

And all 38 Super is +P. Designated that way by some manufacturers because there are still some old 38 Auto's floating around out there. Different animals.

 

[PALADIN85020]

There are damn few types and brands of firearms that I haven't fired, and I have over 70 years of experience with almost any you could name. I've written a book and more articles than I can count.

I can tell you unequivocally that .38 super and .38 ACP cartridges WILL chamber and fire in .357 magnum revolvers. The cases for the .38 ACP and .38 super are identical - the only difference is the loading. The case rims are not as thick as those of the .38 special/.357 magnums, and they are also smaller in diameter.

I don't own a .38 super gun, but I do have an antique .38 ACP Colt, and have some .38 ACP rounds for it. As an experiment, I loaded some of these in my Model 28 - no problem, although there was a bit of slop fore and aft due the thinner semi-rim on this round. I fired a cylinder full of these, and although the empties ejected somewhat irregularly, all was well. In a pinch, lacking proper .38 special or .357 ammo, it's good to know that there are a couple of other rounds out there that will work.

No conjecture here - I tried it. It's definitely possible.

By the same token, the rule is to always use proper ammo for your gun, and this is not to be taken as a recommendation.

Here is a picture of a .38 ACP and a .357 magnum chambered side by side in a Model 66 to compare.

John

 

[Sistema1927]

If you are going to attempt to fire them in a revolver, let it be the Model 19 only. I had a .38 Super 1911, and that load is plenty hot, and not something that I would like to subject an Airweight J-frame (your 442) to. I would also be leery of it in the Model 36.

As said, the posts above are not recommendations, just noting that this ammo will chamber and fire in revolvers. Since .38 Super is less common, even in good times, than .38/.357, you might find someone willing to do a swap.

 

[ddixie884]

Yes .38 Super is too hot for .38spl. Some .357 Magnum will fire some .38 Super. If it fits your .357 it is safe to fire the rim is approximately .005 thinner. Think .055 vs .060. I agree with all that Paladin said..........