Different .38 rounds

[CGhelofxr]

Just for my knowledge, what is difference between;
38 S&W
38 Short
38 Long
38 Special

 

[Biggfoot44]

.38Spl (aka .38 S&W Spl) is same case diameter and rim dimentions as .38 Long Colt (aka .38LC) and .38 Short Colt, differing only in length ( and pressure ) . .38LC and .38SC can be fired in .38Spl gun.

.38S&W is slightly larger in case diameter and bullet dia than the above. In theory it is too large to fit into .38Spl chambers , but I seen it done , and read multiple times of it being done. Some lots of .38 S&W ammo is slightly undersized ( folklore has R-P in particular) combined with a .38Spl chamber on the upper end of spec , and it will chamber.

Don't assume it will work , but if you've got a box of .38S&W ammo , and a .38Spl revolver , give it a try, just might work.

And the old timers who did so , told me that .38S&W ammo was more pleasant to fire in J frames than .38spl.

 

[CGhelofxr]

.38S&W ammo was more pleasant to fire in J frames than .38spl.

Thank You Sir, I was told by a gun shop yesterday that shooting .38 S&W was easier on the recoil than .38 Spl.. And as I am getting my wife (gun of her choice) a J Frame I thought this would make shooting enjoyable for her.

 

[poordevil]

The .38 Short Colt is made again and for sure fits a .38 Special chamber. For light practice loads that would be a sure thing and even lighter recoil.

 

[rwsmith]

If you have a .38 special.....

If you have a .38 special, buy some light wadcutter target loads. Some cartridges are made to fit and can be shot in other guns, such as:

A .38 special can be fired in a .357 magnum

A .44 Special can be fired in a .44 magnum

The ONLY difference in these cartridges is that the magnum cases are slightly longer to keep from putting a more powerful .44 or .357 magnum into a .44 Special or .38 Special gun.

Others are NOT made to fit other guns and the .38 S&W is not made to go into a .38 special. Just because the .38 S&Ws are lighter loadings and they will sometimes fit isn't a good enough reason to fire them in one, especially when there is low powered ammo available in the proper caliber.

As mentioned above, the shorter .38 rounds that fit properly in a .38 special are OK.

See this:

Winchester Super-X Ammo Super Match 38 Special 148 Grain Lead

Lead wadcutter bullet, 710 fps - This is a light load made for target shooting.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The old 38 S&W bullet dia was ......... .361" case neck: .3855"

the 38 special bullets are .357-.358" +/- and the case at .379"

 

[M E Morrison]

Thank You Sir, I was told by a gun shop yesterday that shooting .38 S&W was easier on the recoil than .38 Spl.. And as I am getting my wife (gun of her choice) a J Frame I thought this would make shooting enjoyable for her.

Another choice for light recoil would be wadcutters.

 

[CGhelofxr]

Thanks to all, I didn't think about the wadcutters, that's why I ask so I can know.

 

[lebomm]

I'll second the recommendation that .38 S&W should be avoided for a .38 Special. Besides the iffy fit, the cost will make it a poor experiment. Go with the midrange wadcutters - the missus will be happy, and you'll get some primo brass to reload.

Larry

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm sure the gun shop guy meant well but he's wrong. Like said above, all the cartridges listed will cost you more than .38 Special target ammo.

You can but wadcutter ammo fairly cheap from online reloaders like Georgia Arms or The MasterCast Bullet Co.
.38 Special 148gr Lead Wadcutter - Georgia Arms
Remanufactured Ammo Retail Sales

 

[collectorden]

If you want a relly light load try Cowboy Shooting loads.
.38 Special 125gr Lead Round Nose Flat Pt. - Georgia Arms
Same FPS as the wadcutter but a lighter bullet.