Pigirondan
Member
If it was up to me, eveyone should have a .38 Special and a .45 ACP revolver.
Is .38 Special in danger of becoming an orphaned round?
- Thread starter bushmaster1313
- Start date
Agree on the 38 but a 45 revolver should be 45 colt. What advantage does the ACP have in a revolver ? I load both and would rather deal with 45 colt. I love my 1911s but my model 25 is 45 colt the way it should be.
kmrcstintn
Member
I'll put it this way...if I gotta bug out I'm grabbing a trifecta that can shoot .38 spl/.38 spl +p; a 686 PowerPort, a 642, and a Cobra Derringer;
conclusion based on what I said...HELL NO!!!
conclusion based on what I said...HELL NO!!!
LittleCooner
Member
After so many post on this issue, I think I will start a thread
asking if the 22 LR is now obsolete? It could be, because no one can buy any ammo at all the places that sell ammo? Does that make it obsolete?
asking if the 22 LR is now obsolete? It could be, because no one can buy any ammo at all the places that sell ammo? Does that make it obsolete?
For these reasons alone, it will be with us for a long time:
1)The Model 10, and all of it's .38 Special variants (M14 & M15), including the pre model numbered versions is the most successful gun S&W has ever made, with millions upon millions being made/sold... and still in continuous manufacturer.
2)Add in what's been the made and sold by Colt, Ruger, Taurus, Davis, Charter Arms, etc.... and the number of .38 special handguns becomes even more staggering.
3) Worldwide, the .38 Sol is likely the most common revolver cartridge in use. If I could have just 1% of the annual sale of .38 Special ammo those numbers represents, I'd be set really well for no worries retirement.
1)The Model 10, and all of it's .38 Special variants (M14 & M15), including the pre model numbered versions is the most successful gun S&W has ever made, with millions upon millions being made/sold... and still in continuous manufacturer.
2)Add in what's been the made and sold by Colt, Ruger, Taurus, Davis, Charter Arms, etc.... and the number of .38 special handguns becomes even more staggering.
3) Worldwide, the .38 Sol is likely the most common revolver cartridge in use. If I could have just 1% of the annual sale of .38 Special ammo those numbers represents, I'd be set really well for no worries retirement.
silentflyer
Member
As long as my K38 8 3/8" delivers quarter size groups at 25 yards with 158 grain wc's I don't think so...
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No, I don't see the 38 Special as fading off into obscurity. Unlikely with the millions of guns out there still in service.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
I know I am, at 75. All those millions and millions of Model 10's and 60's and 15's and all the rest aren't going to crumble into dust when I do, and they'll still be fine, versatile, effective guns that will need feeding. My grandsons will end up using mine for a very long time--they already are crazy about the lovely Model 15-8 I gave my son.
I don't thik so. I have six .38 Special revolvers and four .357 magnum revolvers that I can shoot the round in. It's not likely. What is likely is that the supply of .38 special will increase as a goodly number of owners of those fine revolvers trade them in on plastic wonders. More revolvers available, more ammo too
If you're a handloader you're even better off. I have 1800 rounds of FBI .38 Special +P+ brass I've been handloading since 1983.
De Oppresso Liber
If you're a handloader you're even better off. I have 1800 rounds of FBI .38 Special +P+ brass I've been handloading since 1983. De Oppresso Liber
Malpasowildlifer
Member
I'd hope not, and I don't think it will. Too good of a market with snubs for CCW.
Too bad the 40 S&W won't go away
Too bad the 40 S&W won't go away
Here's a reality I live with. The local indoor range has a no brass pick policy. So yes I love my 1911, my Glocks, M&P. etc. However when I go there I take two guns- .22 revolvers and .38's. They might get a range fee but I am not leaving my brass.
K frame .38's have taught a lot of new shooters and will be for years to come.
K frame .38's have taught a lot of new shooters and will be for years to come.
nicky4968
Member
Without a doubt it will disappear, right after Bullseye and Unique.
heeter3
Member
I agree with the majority.The .38 will be around for a long time.I only own .38/.357s , six in fact.All of my semi- autos were gone the day I retired.My brother also an ex leo has 4 /38s(although he kept a nine)and my son who is a current leo has 3/ .38s even though he can only carry his snub as a back up.All of the guys in our gun club except 3 (out of 10) have .38s and even our nra instructor member who is a die hard 9mm nut has a .38 for its ease of carry,concealability and just because its so damn reliable.Dont bet on the .38 going away any time soon.
bmcgilvray
Member
Not here it won't. There are enough components on hand to make handloads to last me out and plenty of hungry .38 Special revolvers to shoot.
Re.: OP. To quote John Wayne... "That'll be the day!" Eathan Edwards (John Wayne) to Martin Pawley (Jeffery Hunter) in The Searchers.
More specifically, yes volume of use has changed from the .38 Special to 9mm, .40 and .45 ACP. The vast majority of handguns being produced by low end manufacturers are semi-automatics typically chambered for 9mm and .40 S&W. The 1911 seems to be eternally popular more so than at any time I can remember. It of course is typically chambered in .45 ACP. Some folks also use it in .40 and 9mm. All of the very popular polymer type pistols are chambered for these three rounds. There are no semi-automatics chambered for the .38 Special or the .357 Magnum in current production. For that reason alone, the popularity of the .38 Special will be affected, how much is open to debate.
However, concealed carry as well as personal protection has greatly spurred the production and sale of revolvers. The vast majority of people buying cc/pp handguns are not folks recreational shooters. Very many of them have little or no experience in shooting a handgun. There are no revolvers currently being produced for this market segment in anything except .38 Special and .357 Magnum. The .38 Special is head and shoulders superior for such uses. It offers a range of loads from light bullet at high velocity to heavier bullets at standard service velocities. This allows even small light weight revolvers to be moderately controllable by persons of less than stellar experience and ability. Except for a experienced handgunner, the .38 Special is superior to the .357 Magnum for SD/HD.
Recreational handgun shooting is a very popular activity which can be attested by the sale of reloading dies and components as well as loaded ammunition. The .38 Special is a perennial favorite among shooters from every walk of life ranging from those who are on a shoestring budget right on up to those who can afford to shoot vast quantities of ammunition. Given the availability of a plethora of high quality affordable revolvers on the new and used gun market, the .38 Special is not likely in any way to become obsolete.
More specifically, yes volume of use has changed from the .38 Special to 9mm, .40 and .45 ACP. The vast majority of handguns being produced by low end manufacturers are semi-automatics typically chambered for 9mm and .40 S&W. The 1911 seems to be eternally popular more so than at any time I can remember. It of course is typically chambered in .45 ACP. Some folks also use it in .40 and 9mm. All of the very popular polymer type pistols are chambered for these three rounds. There are no semi-automatics chambered for the .38 Special or the .357 Magnum in current production. For that reason alone, the popularity of the .38 Special will be affected, how much is open to debate.
However, concealed carry as well as personal protection has greatly spurred the production and sale of revolvers. The vast majority of people buying cc/pp handguns are not folks recreational shooters. Very many of them have little or no experience in shooting a handgun. There are no revolvers currently being produced for this market segment in anything except .38 Special and .357 Magnum. The .38 Special is head and shoulders superior for such uses. It offers a range of loads from light bullet at high velocity to heavier bullets at standard service velocities. This allows even small light weight revolvers to be moderately controllable by persons of less than stellar experience and ability. Except for a experienced handgunner, the .38 Special is superior to the .357 Magnum for SD/HD.
Recreational handgun shooting is a very popular activity which can be attested by the sale of reloading dies and components as well as loaded ammunition. The .38 Special is a perennial favorite among shooters from every walk of life ranging from those who are on a shoestring budget right on up to those who can afford to shoot vast quantities of ammunition. Given the availability of a plethora of high quality affordable revolvers on the new and used gun market, the .38 Special is not likely in any way to become obsolete.
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baccusboy
Member
The .38 special will be here for another 100 years. It works in small carry CCW revolvers and is lethal. And people can't get enough of them. Remember, the pocket .38 is (was -- not sure about the Shield now?) S&W's best-selling handgun for years. That alone is enough to keep it alive, but it's got much more going for it than that.
While I agree hat the popularity of the .38 Special will never decrease among us revolver shooters, and it is by far the most popular revolver caliber, I do think that the pocket 9's are being promoted over the revolver for two reasons: Thickness and capacity.
Joe Six Pack is going to buy a pistol over a revolver 9 times out of 10. Especially if wants a "house gun" and a "carry gun" chambered the same.
I am truly sorry but the revolver is viewed by most common citizens as quaint and antiquated.
Among the revolver shooters the .38 SPL will stay alive and well for another hundred years. Among the general public, it's well on the way to becoming the next .45LC. Ammunition will be available if you want to look for it but increasingly hard to find at retail outlets like Wal*Mart and at a higher price than the 9mm counterpart.
Joe Six Pack is going to buy a pistol over a revolver 9 times out of 10. Especially if wants a "house gun" and a "carry gun" chambered the same.
I am truly sorry but the revolver is viewed by most common citizens as quaint and antiquated.
Among the revolver shooters the .38 SPL will stay alive and well for another hundred years. Among the general public, it's well on the way to becoming the next .45LC. Ammunition will be available if you want to look for it but increasingly hard to find at retail outlets like Wal*Mart and at a higher price than the 9mm counterpart.
MichiganScott
Member
I figure all handgunners should own at least one .38 special. I'm surprised when I meet one that doesn't, but they are usually members of the instant gratification IPhone generation.
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