38 short in a model 66

[84CJ]

Was cleaning up a bit and found a box of 38 short. Can these be fired in a 357 or 38 special? I have only one such revolver and it is a model 66.

 

[Texas Star]

Define ".38 Short." Is it .38 Short Colt, .38 S&W, etc.?

The most likely answer is that you have .38 S&W. And the answer is, "no." Tolerances vary, but theoretically, the bullet is slightly larger (.359-.360) vs. .357-.358 for .38 Special and .357 Magnum.

I wouldn't do it!

T-Star

 

[lebomm]

.38 Short Colt, yes; .38 S&W, no. Accuracy will be lousy with the S.C. and the S&W probably won't chamber.
.38 Short R.F. won't work in anything mfd. in about the last 100 years.

Larry

 

[84CJ]

Thanks for the help. I just happen to find this box its no big deal if I dont shoot it. After taking a second look it is 38 short colt 125 grain LRN. But I see no real reason to shoot it. Who knows maybe I will run into someone that actually owns one and can make their day.lol Also found a box of 38 super....I dont own one of those either. I think my father in law gave them to me. They have been stored in a good place so no issues with that.

 

[Texas Star]

You can probably sell that ammo at a gun show, but I'm not up on prices for it. How old is the .38 Super ammo? It may be collectible.

T-Star

 

[84CJ]

I dont think the 38 super auto (+P) is all that old. Reminton UMC 130 grain. Very nice nickel cases though. I remember the pa in law owning the 38 super auto. He never fired it.

Thanks again to all. Bare with me I just wanted to see if I could post a pic from my phone.

 

[cjw3]

Nothing special about any of that, age-wise. I'd shoot the shorts and swap the supers.

 

[walnutred]

If you do a search you'll find we've also had discussions on shooting 38 Super in 357 revolvers. Personally I'd probably trade them both off, it's not like 357 ammo is hard to find. I don't think I have any factory 357 ammo left or I'd offer a swap myself.

 

[84CJ]

Yea I didn't think so either. It's cool to make people happy so at some point I will run into someone that can use it and give it to them.

 

[murphydog]

There was a recent thread about how some .38 Special/.357 revolvers were able to chamber and fire .38 S & W rounds, I'd guess due to slightly oversized charge holes. As the other posters mentioned, .38 Short Colt is the same diameter as the Special and .357, so fire away.