Guns for .38 S & W caliber

[Dude]

Over the years, I've really enjoyed shooting revolvers chambered for .38 S&W at the range. Typically when I go shooting, I'll shoot .22, then I'll shoot 9mm, and then I'll shoot something old and interesting for a bit. When I owned an Enfield No 2 Mk 1*, I really enjoyed it. Now, I have a Smith & Wesson British Service Revolver and I like shooting that too. The .38 S&W cartridge is mild and accurate.

Now I'm wondering what other guns are chambered for the old cartridge? Can anyone recommend any specific models chambered for .38 S&W that they like or share any pics? Thanks!

 

[Absalom]

If you want to shoot a real classic, find a S&W Regulation Police .38 or a Colt Police Positive .38. These compact 4" revolvers were designed for the times when open duty belts with holsters were uncommon for city police and officers had to stuff their service guns into a pocket somewhere.

Both are .38's on frames dimensioned more for .32's, so they'll kick more than your Enfield or BSR (the latter of which had a frame dimensioned for the .38 Special and was actually "overbuilt" for the .38 S&W load).

 

[Cal44]

I'd like to have one of the J or I frame Terriers -- snub with a 2" barrel.

The I frames are even smaller and lighter than the J frames and with a good 38 S&W round from Buffalo Bore or a handload would be a potent little pocket weapon.

 

[BUFF]

S&W made a lot of guns in .38 S&W before WWII, single action and double action break tops, the afore mentioned .38 Regulation Police and .38/22 Terrier on the I frame. After WWII, just in the model number years, they made the Model 32, Model 33 (I frames), Model 32-1 and 33-1 (J frames) and the Model 11, which looks just like a tapered barrel 4 inch Military & Police/Model 10. Doubtlessly, there were more I am not aware of. You could buy a new .38 S&W (if you could find one) for a long, long time. After the introduction of the J frame, which could be chambered in .38 Special, demand for .38 S&W just sort of faded away.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

Well... I have this.



It dates to the late 1870s but is a single action only revolver.
Then there's this.



A little newer, perhaps 1890ish, a New Departure, or Safety Hammerless , but it's a DA only. So let's move on to something newer still.



It's the one on the bottom, a Perfected. Something from the beginning of the 20th century, it can be fired SA or DA but still has that early top break frame design from the 1800s.

But wait another decade and this becomes available!



A solid frame hand ejector, the 38 Regulation Police! This one is an early 3 digit serial number dating to mid 1917.

The 38 S&W cartridge certainly is an enjoyable round to shoot. I reload light loads using either Trailboss or Bullseye and the same home cast 158 gr round nose bullets used in my 38 Specials. They work fine despite being slightly undersized in diameter.
Used to have a nice late model 32-1 Terrier.



But it got traded away for a model 39 which then got traded for the Regulation Police so I guess it came full circle, caliber wise.

John

 

[ddixie884]

The I-frame Terriers in .38S&W are neat.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The S&W Terrier and Regulation Police are nice revolvers. If you can find one you will really like them.

Right now I have an Enfield I like shooting but for the extremely heavy trigger. I load up a short base 170 bullet from a H&G #512 mold or a 38/200 load using a bullet from a Lyman #358430 mold. Both are great rounds to shoot.

It seems I didn't take a picture of a loaded 38/200 round, sorry.
Here are two photos of the 170gr bullet and loaded round:

 

[wlewisiii]

The S&W Perfected is my grail gun in .38 S&W. I'd love to find one that is in good mechanical condition but is perhaps cosmetically challenged so that I can afford it and take it to the range regularly.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

The WWII British Lend Lease Victory model would be a winner. I really enjoy my 33-1. Happy hunting!

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I have a Model 32, the numbered model that followed the Terrier, but I don't have a picture of it. I also have this Fourth Model Safety Hammerless that shoots .38 S&W.

 

[DocB]

All these posts are great and really cover the waterfront. I buy every nice 38 S&W I can find. . .even the top breaks. The challenge is to find the early ones (pre 1920ish) with a shiny mint bore and cylinders. Both this Colt and this Smith fit the bill. Not perfect on the outside, but perfect internally. They may keep on shooting forever.

 

[raljr1]

I have a couple Colts, a Smith and an Enfield in 38 S&W....The Colts and Smith are fun to shoot. The Enfield is so inaccurate and the trigger pull so heavy that I always told my son that the only reason they gave those to officers was so that they could take one or two with them at point blank when the breached the trenches.

 

[jmace57]

I was going to suggest an English Webley.

 

[Grayfox]

I've had this Regulation Police for quite some time. Its been a fine little gun.

Sadly, the arthritis in my hands is gettin' to where this tiny I-frame is just too small for me to get a good grip on. I've tried to sell it, but no luck. I guess it takes a special person to appreciate the .38 S&W.

 

[STCM(SW)]

This is mine.

S/N 44821,letters to Oct. 15, 1913 it was shipped.


Yea, and General Patton would think I was a pimp from New Orleans......

 

[Engine49guy]

.38 S&W Terriers from 1950 and 1955

 

[ddixie884]

Those are both really nice. THANX for sharing.......

 

[Richard L Rice]

There are a host of Harington and Richardson revolvers in 38 S&W and they can be found in 38s Black Powder as well as Smokeless.

 

[wlewisiii]

I've had this Regulation Police for quite some time. Its been a fine little gun.

Sadly, the arthritis in my hands is gettin' to where this tiny I-frame is just too small for me to get a good grip on. I've tried to sell it, but no luck. I guess it takes a special person to appreciate the .38 S&W.

I read that and all I can say is that I really hate being broke. I hope you find someone that will give it as good a home as I'd love to...

 

[Grayfox]

wlewisiii: Just so happens that I finally did find a buyer a few days ago. A local guy is putting together what he calls his "Bonnie & Clyde Collection". He was thrilled to get it and I was glad to let him have it. My profit on the sale was less than $20. But what the hell? I can't shoot it anymore and I know its new owner truly appreciates it. We're both happy.