38 S&W or 25 ACP, which is more obscure these days?

[walnutred]

Stopped by a small gunshop today and they must have bought out someone's accumulation because they had a LOT of older stuff. The guy in from of me purchased an Ortgies in 25 ACP. Had I seen it first I would have bought it! I selected an H&R top break in 38 S&W, out of probably 10 different top breaks from S&W, H&R and IJ that were in the case.

I couldn't help but wonder where he was going to find 25 ACP ammo. I can't remember the last time I saw any on a store shelf. I reload 38 S&W so wasn't worried.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I bought .25 ACP OTC just last month. .38 S&W has been at Cabela's recently.

 

[Spots]

My local shop usually has at least one flavor of .25 in stock. Lots of old pocket guns in bib overall pockets around here

 

[Cal44]

I see 25acp in stores frequently.

38 s&w rarely.

32 s&w hardly ever.

 

[HKSmith]

Both are readily available from many online dealers. .25 ACP usually available at my LGS. I reload both of them (yes, I reload .25 ACP), so don't closely follow what's in stock.

 

[David Sinko]

I reload .25 ACP too. Somebody here suggested using a #3 buckshot as a projectile and that works perfectly (after they have been lightly squashed) so I will never run out of ammo. I have reloaded .38 S&W using 9mm dies for use in my 940.

 

[chief38]

I'd say the scarcer one is the 38S&W. The 25acp has made a small resurgence as of late. The 38 S&W is pretty much dead and buried.

 

[murphydog]

Ammo for both is still available, the .25 ACP probably more so than the .38 S & W. Not sure if there are still new guns made in .25 (Beretta?), but I don't think there are any in this .38 chambering.

 

[Ameshawki]

Not obscure at all. I own four in 38 S&W and two in 25. Have a decent supply of ammo for both. If you really want to talk obscure look at 8mm French revolver. Have both the gun (an 1892) and ammo. Honorable mention to 9mm Ultra (yeah I have both gun and ammo)

 

[.455_Hunter]

.38 S&W may not be stocked by every LGS, but it's made by Remington, Winchester, Fiocchi, PPU and Magtech. There are a lot of revolvers so chambered in customer hands- besides the innumerable US-made break opens (S&W, IJ, H&R, etc) think about all of the Webley MK IV, Enfields, S&W Victories, Regulation Police and Terriers out there. They still get shot.

 

[desi2358]

Local dealers rarely have 38 S&W but usually have 25 ACP. Both can usually be found online without too much trouble. I have bought both calibers from AIM Surplus here in Ohio recently. PPU manufactured and quite reasonably priced too!

 

[robvious]

40s&w is supposedly dead... lol... but I see 25acp & 38s&w on shelves and at gun shows, so nothing will be gone that has had a commercial gun built in the last few years...

 

[reddog81]

I checked a few online retailers to see which one was more prevalent. I would have guessed 38 S&W, but I have never shot a 25 ACP so my frame of reference is kind of meaningless. The retailers I looked at all had about twice the offerings of 25 ACP and it was quite a bit cheaper than 38 S&W.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Some of the smaller mom & pop shops have odds and ends.

Did Walmart ever carry 38 S&W? Cabelas? Bass Pro Shop?

25 ACP will always be around since most of them are never shot and sit in a sock drawer or the nightstand.