Older Model 60 Ammo Question

[pinefd]

I've mentioned this in one or two other threads I started, but I've recently gotten into shooting, and am using some guns that I got from my father decades ago. One of those is a stainless Model 60 with a pinned barrel (not sure of the age). On the barrel, it says 38 S.&W. SPL. Does this mean the gun can shoot either 38 S&W ammo OR 38 Special? I have both, and am unsure which is appropriate in this gun.

Thanks in advance!


Frank

 

[rockquarry]

.38 Special only; .38 S&W won't even fit, it's too fat.

 

[Maddog 521]

No on the 38 S&W ammo, that is different than the 38 Special ammo. The 38 S&W bullet is .361 and the 38 Special is .358 in diameter. Also the S&W case is .775 compared the the Special case is 1.155. Completely different.

 

[pinefd]

Hah! Ok, then! I never even tried fitting the 38 S&W in there until I knew whether it was compatible or not. I guess if I had done that, I would have had my answer!

Thanks for the replies, guys.


Frank

 

[pinefd]

I wonder why it even says 38 S&W on there to begin with...it sure confused ME!


Frank

 

[rockquarry]

The .38 S&W had been around a good while when the .38 Special was developed.

 

[murphydog]

Smith & Wesson developed the .38 Special, so it is part of the full name of the round. And it probably caused no small amount of heartburn for their competitors to have to stamp "S & W" prominently on their revolver barrels.

 

[stansdds]

Murphydog is correct, the full and proper name for 38 Special is "Smith & Wesson .38 Special". It can create some confusion when there is the earlier cartridge that was named ".38 Smith & Wesson". Unless your chambers are oversized, .38 S&W will not fit in a firearm chambered for S&W .38 Special.

Then there is this 38 Special.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJtf7R_oVaw[/ame]

 

[Sistema1927]

I thought that he was going to ask if he could shoot +P in it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I wonder why it even says 38 S&W on there to begin with...it sure confused ME!


Frank

The 38 S&W was first and when more velocity and power were needed they made the .38 S&W Special.

 

[bigggbbruce]

On the barrel, it says 38 S.&W. SPL.
Frank

I wonder why it even says 38 S&W on there to begin with...it sure confused ME!


Frank

It says SPL=Special

 

[stansdds]

I thought that he was going to ask if he could shoot +P in it.

Me too! It's a commonly asked question and for me the answer would be to use +P sparingly.

 

[pinefd]

It says SPL=Special

Yes, and it also says S&W, which is what confused me...which is why I asked the question to begin with.

Thanks again, everyone, for all your responses! Much appreciated.


Frank