38 s&w

Danman,

I wanted to close this discussion with Ivan, as I'm very sorry to bore other members.But your posts need a response . Could you please explain why you speak of jail in Europe for speaking about guns I legally own ??? I was not giving a recipe to do something illegal (if it's that your problem) , but a way to shoot with a caliber almost obsolete.
Furthermore on the technical point you seems to disagree with the use of 38 Spl case shortened. Yes, 38 SW is a little bit larger but read my previous post and you will see that I write about using wadcutter (should have mentioned that I was speaking about the hollow base ones). It's not my invention, you will found many posts about this on fire arms forum.
Sorry, but I must respond because you seems to have a problem with what I've wrote and I don't feel guilty, so I prefer to clear it.
 
Let's use a few presumations:

I presume it is legal for you to own componets and to reload your own ammo.

I presume that .38 S&W cartridge cases are hard to come by and .38 special are more common and are reasonable to obtain and less pricey.

Go online to a company like Midway and order a case trimmer, then trim .38 special cases to the length mentioned. If you intend to do a lot of cases, cut them a bit long with a hacksaw and then use the trimmer for a more finished project.

Using .38 S&W reloading info from a recognized source, such as Speer, Lyman, etc, load your cases near the starting loads. Your cutdown .38 specials are slightly smaller than true .38 S&Ws and so have less volume, which would increase pressure.

You may have to have a machinest cutdown your seating and crimp die due to the shortened cases that you will be using.

I'm also presuming you can obtain a reloading press and dies in France. Otherwise, those would have to be ordered from the States as well.

Please let us know the outcome.
 
the chambers are larger on .38 s&w. shortened special cases will expand and may split. yes it will fit but accuracy may be poor and it may not be safe if cases start to split. just my opinion.
 
Edited to remove many stupid errors on my part.

Since danman is in the Hague, but not Dutch, maybe he's an EU BATF equivalent - that's a multinational acronym - European Union + Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. I don't think all the European regulatory bodies are in Brussels?

I bet the Europeans aren't crazy enough to lump Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms together. Maybe they have a department of Firearms?

Sorry not to put my wild guesses into French, but I really do speak French comme un vache Espanol.

Ivan, go visit the guy from Brittany, take your gun and some reloading tools and some .38 special ammo, if you can get some legally.

Hop on one of those nice boats they make in Brittany, and take gun, tools, and ammo outside whatever mile limit is appropriate, and try reloading and firing out there.

Or maybe you can check it on the airplane in your checked baggage, or ship it to the United States, Come on down to Texas, and I'll take you to the range. And I'll even provide some ammo, if I get to shoot it too.

I guess there are some limits to Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, huh? Gun Enthusiasts are Les Miserables in la Belle France, I guess?

In the meantime, can you post some pictures for us? Any stories about where your grandfather got it and what he did with it would also be appreciated.

I would suggest sending for a letter from the factory. It's only $30 US, which is getting cheaper and cheaper in Euros all the time
icon_frown.gif
.

Based on this site

http://www.brittany-internet.com/BrittanyNews/ShootingF...abid/59/Default.aspx

I assume that you are already a member of a gun club, and have been shooting there enough so that it is legal for you to own that gun? If not, you may want to deal with that minor issue before you search for ammunition. A gun club could probably also help you to find the ammunition.
 
Your laws

Hey guys, check US laws. It's illegal for a non US resident to buy or export ammo. I can't even import primers legally.
 
Hello to our French friend. There are a lot of 38 S&W revolvers in the US, Britain, & now you tell us France. This subject comes up often on this forum. Years ago, some of these guns were modified... reamed deeper to accept 38 Special ammunition... with mixed results. This often results in bulged & split cases.

It is far better to locate 38 S&W ammunition or brass which is what your Victory Model is chambered for. Yes, you can cut down 38 Special brass but it is a bit smaller diameter.

Yes, some cut down cases might fail by cracking when fired & would have to be disgarded. So cutting down cases would be less advantageous. In either case, you should resize your fired cases with 38 S&W dies if you want to reload them.

You can use the slightly larger diameter 38 S&W bullets or the 38 Special bullets. Hollow base wad-cutter style bullets (target style) would be most likely to shoot acurately in your gun. It is expected to have to crimp the case mouth onto the bullet as a step in reloading & if using 38 Special bullets you would probably have to use a bit more crimp.

I do not pretend to know the legalities of your country. I sincerely suggest you find out before any shooting activities.
Russell
 
Here is a outfitter in France who sells reloading equipment and supplies… I would suggest you purchase a box or 2 of factory 38 S&W ammo, then start reloading if you are planning to do any serious shooting…

To reload you just need to buy a simple press, and some 38 S&W components… I believe he has them in stock…

JEAN-CLAUDE BLAIS
99 ROUTE DE LYON BOURG-LES-VALENCE,
26500 FRANCE
Tel: 011-33-75-56-4545 Fax: 011-33-755-63587

B
 
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