CCI 38 Shotshell

[gto364ci]

I'm thinking about using my M38 Airweight as a snake/pest gun. It's light and easy to have around just in case I really need it.

Looking at CCI's description for their 38/357 shotshells, they have this warning "cylinder lock up may occur in light weight revolvers due to capsule movement resulting from recoil inertia". Has anyone seen problems in lighter revolvers with these shotshells?

 

[rog8732]

I have used those shotshells for years with no problem, and good results on pests, but, only in steel "K" or "N" frames.

 

[ralph7]

I never had a problem in my model 37 lightweight. They may be speaking of the titanium models.

The only problem with these shells is finding them in stock.

 

[DocB]

Maybe in some of the new guns they're making; but, not the good old Smiths of the past. I've been using CCI shot shells in 38 special for 30 years at least. Use them to kill carpenter bees when they start to come in every Spring. They work great.

 

[Bastogne71]

They did not work in my 360 Ti. The front of the plastic capsule in the adjacent chambers broke from the inertia on recoil. No problems at all in an all steel frame model 60 or heavier revolver. Didn't try them in an airweight.

Capsules are available from Speer if you reload for 38 special. You will need some #9 or finer shot for the capsule. Load data is in the Speer manual.

 

[Rangerpat]

I have had problems using them in my 340PD, the recoil from firing a standard .357 round caused the plastic shot shell cup to move forward in the chamber and my cylinder locked up.

 

[Drm50]

CCI shot shells

I have had a couple loc-ups. I carried a m-38 while fishing. 1st
round was CCI/shot,remainder 110jhp. If you double cocked to
shoot a JHP the shot capsule came loose from recoil. If you load
all shot caps there is no problem. I have bought just the capsules
to reload, my reloads are more sensitive to recoil than factory
Shot Caps.

 

[gto364ci]

Thanks guys, I'll stick to shotshells only in it.

 

[SC_Mike]

Just make sure your first round to be fired is the shot shell, then whatever else. Keep more in your speed strip.

Shouldn't be any probs.

 

[poordevil]

I too did have .38 shot shells jump forward in my M-37. I just take some pliers and give them a little squeeze. Like an extra crimp. Works like a Champ.

 

[jsmith357]

never in an issue in my 637...

 

[BC38]

I had no idea this stuff was so hard to find! I bought some ammo from a local guy whose father in law had passed and left some behind. Around 450 rounds of LSWC 38's, a little over a box of LSWC 357 and two unopened boxes of these CCI shot shells. I went out on the 'net to see what they were worth and they run anywhere from $15-$20 per box of 10. BUT, everywhere I find them listed for sale they are out of stock. What's up with that?

 

[bobf]

If you use a 5 shot all the unfired ones are accessible from the front of the cylinder, just push them back in with your finger or thumb.

 

[SpikeIDMT]

I have used those shotshells for years with no problem, and good results on pests, but, only in steel "K" or "N" frames.

Ditto

I reloaded some with the blue shot.capsules in .38 spl and added just the slightest crimp, never had a prob with them backing out.

To be on the safe side, and avoid jams in his case though I would load only one, for the first shot, keep a few spares in yur pocket ifn yur being chased by a whole snake family, lol