Can you shoot a 38 special in a semi-auto?

[mouddie]

Just wondering, Can a S & W model 52 fire a 38 speical bullet, not a wadcutter?

Say, your a knucklehead, can you force a 38 special bullet into the 52 and fire it? If it worked would the casing come out or would it jam inside?

thanks

 

[k22fan]

I just stuck my nose in your thread to say welcome to the forum mouddie. Don't worry about being called a knuckle head. It doesn't usually happen here, and if it does you'll just remember the answer to your question longer.

Your question is about a rather unusual obsolete model built for a old fashioned sport with drastically reduced participation, so it's not surprising that you're not familiar with 52s. A 52's frame is basically a modified steel model 39 9mm frame so it is not long enough fore & aft to accommodate most .38 special cartridges. Only .38 special cartridges loaded with flush seated full wadcutter .38 special bullets will fit in.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Just wondering, Can a S & W model 52 fire a 38 speical bullet, not a wadcutter?

Say, your a knucklehead, can you force a 38 special bullet into the 52 and fire it? If it worked would the casing come out or would it jam inside?

thanks

No. It was made to fire a flush fitting wad cutter. I have a friend who used to fire THV in his, but I am not sure that is a great idea.

 

[The Tourist]

A 38 SPL might fire in a Coonan. If the extractor hook would hold the cartridge in place tight enough, it might fire.

With a hot enough load, it might even cycle a second shot.

 

[DWalt]

There was a semi-rimmed .38 Special round with WC bullets used by the military at one time in several match-grade semiauto pistols. It was called the .38 Army Marksmanship Unit, or .38 AMU.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I thought the OP was asking if he dropped say a .38 special with a 158gr bullet into the chamber and I assume eased the extractor claw over the rim then would the thing fit and would it fire. I know nothing but flush seated WC's will fit in the mag but I too am curious if you could get a cartridge to drop in from the side to load and shoot.

 

[ralph7]

I thought the OP was asking if he dropped say a .38 special with a 158gr bullet into the chamber and I assume eased the extractor claw over the rim then would the thing fit and would it fire. I know nothing but flush seated WC's will fit in the mag but I too am curious if you could get a cartridge to drop in from the side to load and shoot.

Ok, I just dropped a regular 158 gn lead roundnose loaded cartridge in the chamber of my 52-2 and it fired and ejected just fine.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Well that answers that. I'm not sure of the design if that will eventually break the extractor or not.