.38 S&W Versus .38 Colt

[jimmyj]

What is the differences between the .38 S&W Cartridge and the .38 Colt Cartridge ? (case and bullet)

 

[gwpercle]

Which one ....38 Short Colt or 38 Long Colt ?
Gary

 

[DWalt]

The .38 Short Colt cartridge is dimensionally nearly identical to the .38 S&W, except for the slightly smaller case and bullet diameter. The .38 SC can be used in .38 S&W-chambered revolvers, but not vice-versa, and also in any .38 Special or .357 Magnum revolver. The factory loading of the .38 SC is about as anemic as the .38 S&W, both being old BP-era cartridges. I use .38 Short Colt cartridges in .38 Special snubby revolvers for better empty case ejection with the short extractor rod, but I load them a little hotter than standard. The .38 LC is simply a later and longer-cased version of the .38 SC (but has a shorter case than .38 Special), which was for about 20 years the official US military revolver cartridge. Surprisingly, the .38 SC is still loaded and available. It does have some following by competitive ICORE shooters. See this for details: Shooting Sports USA | Introduction To ICORE

 

[glowe]

Here are the dimensions that I could find.