.38 S&W

[Turbobrick]

Hello all, first post on the forum, new member here

I was given a S&W revolver and told it was a .38 S&W cartrige.

the left side of the barrel is stampped with .38 S&W special CTG.

my question is this; does it shoot .38 S&W as i was told? Or does it actually shoot .38 special?

thanks for the input
-Tom

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

If it stamped 38 S&W Special it is chambered for 38 Special, NOT 38 S&W. The two rounds are NOT compatible, the old 38 S&W case is too fat to fit into a 38 Special chamber, the 38 Special is too long to fit into
a 38 S&W chamber.

 

[Turbobrick]

OK thanks for the quick answer! I did notice the cyl. is the same length as my ruger .357 is, that's what got me wondering. after i was given this pistol i went to the local gun shop and the owner looked at me really strangely when i told him I had a .38 S&W. I then dicovered it is quite difficult to find ammo for a .38 S&W...so i tryed to find supplies to load it myself, I did find everything i needed but it wasn't easy. so I guess i have some .38 S&W brass (NEW) that I won't be needing.

hahaha, oops.

I guess this is how we learn.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

No, now you have some 38 S&W brass that needs a revolver to be fired out of. The 38 S&W has some history, the British adopted it in 1927 as their official military revolver round. A Webley Mk IV, an Enfield No. 2 Mk 1 or sn S&W 380/200 are what you should look for. An S&W Terrier perhaps.

 

[Turbobrick]

thanks again for the info!

 

[walnutred]

That and there are probably still a million S&W revolvers floating around that are actually chambered for the old 38 S&W, so your odds of finding one are fairly good. S&W chambered everything from top breaks to K Frames in 38 S&W at some point. Though I’ve never seen any production numbers 38 S&W might be their 2nd most common chambering in revolvers, right after 38 Special.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Please post a photo and serial number.
I considering that your S&W might be a re-chambered Victory Model S&W?
Jimmy

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The 38 S&W is an easy cartridge to reload, sort of a Junior 38 Special. Keep the loads on the mild side-Ye Olde Standard Target load of a wadcutter bullet over 2.7 grains of Bullseye makes for shooting pleasure, for those 38 S&Ws with bores on the large side, an HBWC works great.

 

[jimmyj]

Question:
You state that the caliber markings are on the left side of the barrel?
On the left side of the barrel should be "Smith and Wesson".
The caliber markings should be on the right side.

 

[Texas Star]

Question:
You state that the caliber markings are on the left side of the barrel?
On the left side of the barrel should be "Smith and Wesson".
The caliber markings should be on the right side.

Jimmy is right, and if the gun has UK proof or property marks, it is a re-chambered .38 S&W. Tell us what markings you see, or post a closeup photo.

 

[tjpopkin]

OK thanks for the quick answer! I did notice the cyl. is the same length as my ruger .357 is, that's what got me wondering. after i was given this pistol i went to the local gun shop and the owner looked at me really strangely when i told him I had a .38 S&W. I then dicovered it is quite difficult to find ammo for a .38 S&W...so i tryed to find supplies to load it myself, I did find everything i needed but it wasn't easy. so I guess i have some .38 S&W brass (NEW) that I won't be needing.

hahaha, oops.

I guess this is how we learn.

What is the brand or the 38 S&W brass?
I may be interested in buying it from you?
Terry

[email protected]

 

[Turbobrick]

sorry about the delay, i've been studying for finals.

here are some pictures of the gun

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the pictures do not do it justice, it is in very good condition.

I could not get good pictures of the markings but, i did mix it up by saying they were on the left side of the barrel, they are actually on the right.

the # is s 849114, this number is on both the cyl. and on the bottom of the handle.

 

[Turbobrick]

What is the brand or the 38 S&W brass?
I may be interested in buying it from you?
Terry

[email protected]

I have 200 pieces of starline that i ordered from midway, don't know if the brass is for sale yet, i might have to buy a gun that shoots it