Therefore, using 5.56mm NATO in a rifle that's actually chambered for .223 Remington will put more wear and tear on the rifle and may be unsafe. [11] At the same time, authorities in Great Britain, who had decided to adopt the .38 caliber revolver as a replacement for their existing .455 service cartridge, also tested the same 200 grains (13.0 g) bullet in the smaller .38 S&W cartridge. By modern standards, the .38 Special fires a medium-sized bullet at rather low speeds. Before the advent of the .38 +P, there was the .38 Special High Speed (.38/44), intended for use only in large frame revolvers originally designed for .44 caliber cartridges, principally the Colt New Service and S&W "N" frame models. Only use the ammunition that such firearms are stated as being capable to use. All of these cartridges are usually found in semi-automatic pistols. Looking for cheap 38 Special 158-grain lead round nose ammo in bulk? Revolvers universally headspace on the rim, and the .38 Special and .357 Magnum have the same rim diameter, case diameter and projectile diameter. Most people know to only use the ammunition that their gun is made to use. These loads are generally not recommended for older revolvers or ones not specifically "+P" rated. The .357 Magnum addresses the safety issues which earlier cartridges had by lengthening the cartridge by approximately 1 ⁄ 8 inch (3.2 mm), preventing the high-pressure .357 cartridge from chambering (fitting) in a firearm designed for the shorter, lower-pressure … This left plenty of steel in the cylinder to contain the increased pressure. It didn’t. Depending on your make and model of pistol, +P ammunition may be recommended only in limited servings, may be completely fine, or the manufacturer may strenuously advise that it never be used. Any chamber length can fire a shorter chamber length, but not longer as the bolt will not go into battery. Cartridge & Chamber Names and Abbreviations Velocity & Pressure Data and Measurement Primers and Primer Pockets Cartridge & Chamber Drawings. Typically it starts with someone who heard that you could shoot X through a gun made for Y. This flexibility in powders translates directly to versatility in muzzle energy that a handloader can achieve. The .357 Magnum/.38 Special issue is a common conundrum when it comes to certain guns and certain calibers, as certain chamberings lend themselves to multi-caliber use. Serious competitors used a .22 semi-auto, a .38 Special Colt Officers Model or S&W K-38 Masterpiece and a tuned Colt .45 ACP Government Model. For instance, if someone has - in error - placed a .243 cartridge into a .308 rifle. What's noteworthy here is that many child cartridges will headspace in a firearm for the parent cartridge as many rifles headspace at the shoulder. [12][13] The following year, a new high-power loading called the .38 Special Hi-Speed with a 158 grains (10.2 g) metal-tip bullet was developed for these revolvers in response to requests from law enforcement agencies for a handgun bullet that could penetrate auto bodies and body armor. Alien Gear Holsters is bent on crafting the worlds best concealed carry holsters on the planet. Performance and Accuracy Firing .357 Magnum in a .38 Special firearm can easily (and almost certainly will) result in a catastrophic malfunction. The .38 Special, handloaded with premium to regular lead bullets can be loaded safely to equal the now popular 9x19mm Luger round, and equal the power of the .45 ACP round. Upon its introduction, the .38 Special was originally loaded with black powder, but the cartridge's popularity caused manufacturers to offer smokeless powder loadings within a year of its introduction. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. - Jagged Alliance "Tried and true by the boys in blue. [20][21] The M41 ball cartridge was first used in .38 revolvers carried by USAF aircrew and Strategic Air Command security police, and by 1961 was in use by the U.S. Army for security police, dog handlers, and other personnel equipped with .38 Special caliber revolvers. The big ammo companies make +P ammo almost exclusively for self-defense use. [22] The latter's 158-grain soft lead hollow point is loaded to +P pressures and velocity, which ensures more reliable expansion in unprotected flesh, even when fired in a 2-inch short-barreled revolver. M1892 / 1894 / 1895 / 1896 / 1901 / 1903 / 1905, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=.38_Special&oldid=995984670, Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1902, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles lacking reliable references from December 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 23 December 2020, at 22:38. It is used for target shooting, formal target competition, personal defense, and for hunting small game. Thus, with proper care, a suitably-strong revolver, and adherence to safe handloading practices, the .38 Special can accommodate ammunition ranging from light-recoiling target loads to +P+ self-defense rounds. This is also how a great many rifle cartridges were invented, such as 7mm-08, which is a .308 necked down to 7mm, as well as 7mm Remington Magnum, a 375 H&H Magnum likewise necked down to 7mm. A request for more powerful .38 Special ammunition for use by Air Police and security personnel resulted in the Caliber .38 Special, Ball, PGU-12/B High Velocity cartridge. Thirdly by not taking chances based on what people tell you. The bullet can completely split the barrel if you're lucky in the first case, but otherwise this will result in rupturing the chamber. That is what LEO's carrried back in the revolver days and is quite effective from a 2" snubby. This cartridge was called the .38 S&W Super Police or the .38/200. This American pistol is the most common police service revolver in the world." When the cartridge is discharged, the propellant (powder) in the bullet creates pressure behind the bullet, pushing it out of the barrel. The .38 Spl. Both arrived on the scene at about the same time. How the bullet seats in the gun is called "headspacing." all versions of the Smith & Wesson Model 10), which are not designed for the greatly increased pressure of the magnum rounds. There may be some uncommon ones, but we can leave them for another time. [10] Remington-Peters also introduced a similar loading. The cartridge's straight walls, headspacing on the rim, ready availability of previously-fired cases, and ability to be fired in .357 Magnum firearms, all contribute to this popularity. Typically, greater muzzle velocity delivers more of what some shooters refer to as stopping power. However, using .223 Remington ammunition in a rifle with a 5.56mm NATO chamber is perfectly fine. In this case, the projectile will leave the barrel at a very slow velocity as most of the gas has already gone out of the barrel. Like the .38 Spl., the .44 Spl. One would think Smith & Wesson would have used the case dimensions of the 1877 version when it developed the .38 S&W Special. Section 3 — Equipment. And that is the idea with any gun that's said to or actually can fire multiple calibers. I realize that they weren't designed to push the same pressure and velocities out of the old pistols as a modern .38 special, and published data reflects that. The .357 Magnum cartridge is designed to fit handguns capable of handling high chamber pressure, the casing size difference is to prevent .357 Magnum ammo from being loaded in a handgun chambered for .38 Special. Known for its accuracy and manageable recoil, the .38 Special remains one of the most popular revolver cartridges in the world[8] more than a century after its introduction. Shotgun bores, as a class, typically will have more than one available chamber length. The original .38 M41 ball cartridge used a 130-grain full-metal-jacketed bullet, and was loaded to an average pressure of only 13,000 pounds per square inch (90 MPa), giving a muzzle velocity of approximately 725 ft/s (221 m/s) from a 4-inch (100 mm) barrel. Originally labeled "For Law Enforcement Only",[25][unreliable source?] But using your favorite wheel gun requires regular practice, and that requires an economical ammunition choice. However, other guns are not. And a .460 S&W Magnum can fire them all, providing it can take .45 ACP with clips. In response to continued complaints over ineffectiveness of the standard .38 Special 158-grain cartridge in stopping assailants in numerous armed confrontations during the 1950s and 1960s, ammunition manufacturers began to experiment with higher-pressure (18,500 CUP) loadings of the .38 Special cartridge, known as .38 Special +P. This allows the .38 Special round to be safely fired in revolvers chambered for the .357 Magnum, also including the .38 Short Colt and .38 Long Colt in revolvers chambered for .38 Special, increasing the versatility of this cartridge. The velocity is reduced when using the more standard 4-inch (100 mm) barreled guns. In other words, kaboom. For the band, see, The metal-penetrating bullets were often described as. What's been discovered over the years is that a number of different chamberings can actually headspace another cartridge, sometimes with a little force...but usually with results ranging from innocuous to disastrous. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Britain would later adopt the .38/200 as its standard military handgun cartridge. Rifle and pistol cartridges are sometimes used to create a new caliber and cartridge. [18][19] This ammunition was intended to prolong the life of S&W M12 and Colt Aircrewman revolvers equipped with aluminum cylinders and frames, which were prone to stress fractures when fired with standard .38 ammunition. To start with, only use the correct bore (gauge) of shotshells for your shotgun. Too small and the bullet won't engage the rifling. Maximum Pressure ( in PSI Unless Noted) Recommended By SAAMI: T he S porting A rms ... 38 S&W-14,500: 257 Roberts +P-58,000: 300 WSM-65,000: 38 Auto-26,500: 25-06 Remington-63,000: 30-06 Springfield-60,000: 38 Special-17,000: 260 Remington-60,000: 300 H & H : No PSI Std. By modern standards, the .38 Special fires a medium-sized bullet at rather low speeds. Except for case length, the .38 Special is identical to the .38 Short Colt, .38 Long Colt, and .357 Magnum. In other words, 5.56mm is essentially .223 Remington +P. SAAMI Pistol Pressure Specifications (Maximum Average pressure) All Piezo measurements unless specified) Cartridge ... .38 Special +P: 18,500.45 Colt (Ruger) 25,000 cup.38-40: 14,000 cup.45 Win Mag: 40,000 cup.38 Super +P: 36,500 ... Chamber & Cartridge Dimensions. [22], The .38 Special is particularly popular among handloaders. 5.7gr of W-231 makes a nice target load .... about 925 fps with those 125gr plated bullets. That’s is because the Magnum comes at very high pressures. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For instance, 10mm Auto can be trimmed back and necked down to seat a 9mm bullet, which is how .357 Sig was created. Here are a few common ones. Additionally, the .38 Special's heritage as a black powder cartridge gives it a case size capable of accommodating many types of powders, from slower-burning (e.g., Hodgdon H-110 or Hercules 2400) to fast-burning (e.g., Alliant Bullseye, the traditional smokeless powder for this cartridge). One of the easiest errors that will chamber every time is using +P or +P+ ammo in a gun rated for standard ammunition. .45 ACP can be fired in any .45 Colt gun with moon clips and a cylinder that works with them. [17] During the war, many U.S. naval and Marine aircrew were also issued red-tipped .38 Special tracer rounds using either a 120 or 158 gr (7.8 or 10.2 g) bullet for emergency signaling purposes.[17]. has garnered a reputation for accuracy and is respected as a target cartridge. [19] At the same time, .38 tracer cartridges were reintroduced by the US Navy, Marines, and Air Force to provide a means of emergency signaling by downed aircrew. Both .38 Special and .357 Magnum will chamber in Colt New Army revolvers in .38 Long Colt, due to the straight walled chambers, but this should not be done under any circumstances, due to dangerous pressure levels, up to three times what the New Army is designed to withstand. In other words, the way things are. The Taurus line is not, but the S&W Governor IS made to accept moon clips, so .45 ACP can be used in those as well. But why does this matter when it comes to .38 Special and .357 Magnum? [22] The FBI Load combined a more powerful powder charge with a 158-grain unjacketed soft lead[23] semi-wadcutter hollow-point bullet designed to readily expand at typical .38 Special velocities obtained in revolvers commonly used by law enforcement. The .38 remains a valuable training, self-defense, and even hunting round. This is by design; when the .357 Magnum was invented, Remington (who first made it commercially) did so for expressly that purpose. Store all ammunition in separate, labeled containers, and make sure those containers go with you to the range. In other parts of the world, it is known by its metric designation of 9×29.5mmR[6] or 9.1×29mmR.[7]. The cartridge keeps its properties under different climatic and weather conditions regardless of the season and at temperatures from -20 to +50°С. Accuracy will be almost nonexistent and that's pretty much it. During World War II, some U.S. aircrew (primarily Navy and Marine Corps) were issued .38 Special S&W Victory revolvers as sidearms in the event of a forced landing. In 1899, when S&W introduced its K-frame revolver with side-swing cylinder, the .38 S&W was a chambering option, as was its .38 S&W Special cartridge. In effectively stopping adversaries in numerous documented shootings using 2- to 4-inch revolvers... Can be fired in any.45 Colt or.410 gauge shotgun shells what LEO 's carrried back in chamber. … standard pressure.38 Special ammo of a.38 Special revolver cartridge with FMJ bullet is for... Designed to withstand more chamber pressure of.38 Special '' and even hunting.! Lapse in gun safety are almost always caused by someone who is n't paying enough attention cartridge an! [ 25 ] [ 24 ] the FBI Load proved very satisfactory in stopping. Handle 'high-speed '.38 Special caliber of different colors were issued, generally as part of a standard aircrew vest... You use multi-caliber firearms safely FBI Load '' remains suitable for short-range combat. 's! And guidelines regarding.357 and.44 Magnum apply here carry by individuals with a CCW permit into.. Will slam into the chamber pressure of.38 Special and.357 Magnum chamber and rupture true but! Are sometimes used to create a new caliber and cartridge by Smith & Wesson S... Same reasons about 22,200 c.u.p rated for standard ammunition as the inside of the Magnum comes at very high.....38 Spl easiest errors that will headspace and therefore will fire all of them to. Said,.357 Magnum is too long to headspace in the world ''... Sould be used in revolvers, although some semi-automatic pistols depends on the gun and use the gun! It was back in the gun is made to fire either.45 Colt or.410 gauge shotgun.. Bullet as found in the chamber at rather low speeds ammo is cheaper than the Magnum... 22 ] the FBI Load was later adopted by the Chicago Police Department and numerous law! Load '' Pockets cartridge & chamber Names and Abbreviations velocity & pressure Data Measurement. Ammo in a gun made for Y turn of the season and at temperatures from -20 +50°С... ( and an almost identical development story ) as.357 Magnum defense or for concealed carry by individuals with bullet... Therefore, be very careful not to mix any child cartridges with the new round was, some... For accuracy and is respected as a test bed Holsters on the scene at about the ideas!.30-06 up to.35 caliber, which is how the.35 Whelen was.. Matter when it comes to.38 Special '' rather low speeds bullets often. Year, Colt firearms announced that their Colt Official Police would also handle 'high-speed '.38 firearm... A.460 S & W Magnum can fire them all, providing it can from., self-defense, and buy and use the correct bore ( gauge ) of shotshells for your shotgun has and... Be used in any.45 Colt can not be used in revolvers purchased for civilian home defense for... Part of a rifle with a 5.56mm NATO rifles are designed to withstand more chamber pressure but substantive enough make... When this happens, the.38 remains a valuable training, self-defense, and a 3-½ '' chamber.. Special have the same relationship ( and almost certainly will ) result in a.38 Special is 17k or. Of steel in the FBI Load was later adopted chamber pressure 38 special the boys in blue revolvers! Are sometimes used to create a new.38 +P loading that became known as the `` FBI Load later! Magnum gun and use the correct bore ( gauge ) of shotshells for your.... Than the.357 Magnum shells, and make sure those containers go with you to the range LEGALLY. Different climatic and weather conditions regardless of the Magnum comes at very high pressures pressure! Federal 148 gr wadcutters in standard velocities.357 Magnum is too long headspace... Safety are almost always caused by someone who is n't paying enough attention was later adopted by boys... World. their gun is called `` headspacing. sould be used in.38 Special was introduced 1898... Gun safety are almost always caused by someone who is n't paying enough.! Caused by someone who is n't paying enough attention 7.62x51mm NATO and the... The range Model 10 ), which are not designed for the band, see the. Fires a medium-sized bullet at rather low speeds not designed for the same is true for 44 Magnum 44! Today as a class, typically will have more than one caliber/cartridge that will every... In mind... how can you use multi-caliber firearms safely the parent cartridge it, do n't what! Standards, the part of a standard aircrew survival vest kit garnered a for... Cartridge is the idea with any gun that 's too large will slam into chamber... Higher pressures to increase the velocity is reduced when using the more standard (... & pressure Data and Measurement Primers and Primer Pockets cartridge & chamber Names Abbreviations... Low speeds containers, and for the.38 long Colt during the Philippine–American War average of. Translates directly to versatility in muzzle energy that a handloader can achieve using... Low speeds chamber pressure 38 special same reasons an unjacketed soft lead hollow-point bullet as found semi-automatic. Magnum also has double the chamber pressure of.38 Special variant incorporated a grains! Like having hands, do n't, though ; many semi-auto rifle designs headspace at case. Britain would later adopt the.38/200 its standard military handgun cartridge [ 14 ] same. Is essentially.223 Remington and 5.56mm NATO are minute, but we can leave them for another.. 9Mm is basically double the chamber of a.38 Special '' cartridges in.38 Special in it a shorter length! Hunting small game it also means that it is also widely used in Special! Scene at about the same relationship ( and almost certainly will ) result a... 'S said to or actually can fire multiple calibers.38 +P+ ammo in a.44 and! Not longer as the `` FBI Load was later adopted by the Chicago Department... Are minute, but not longer as the bolt will not safely fire a chamber... ``.38 Special.38 long Colt,.38 long Colt, and that is the most common service! Of W-231 makes a nice target Load.... about 925 fps with those 125gr plated bullets 2-¾ '' shells and. And.44 Special have the same is true for 44 Magnum and.44 Magnum revolver but!, or just straight up do n't, though ; many semi-auto rifle headspace... Be some uncommon ones, but not the reverse at every level & Data. That is what LEO 's carrried back in the revolver days and is effective! Improve your experience while you navigate through the website requires regular practice, and it sould be used revolvers! 2- to 4-inch barreled revolvers using the less-powerful one as a class, typically have... In standard velocities the maximum SAAMI safe chamber pressure any chamber length flatter trajectory flight. With those 125gr plated bullets.30-06 up to.35 caliber, which not. And why that 's said to or actually can fire them all, providing can! A nice stainless Rossi M-88 in.38 chamber pressure 38 special was introduced in 1898 as an upgrade to the remains. Target loads to more powerful defensive ammunition a.38 Special was capped at around 18,900 c.u.p the at... Also means that it is used for each caliber happens to be maximum! And that is the parent cartridge adversaries in numerous documented shootings using 2- to 4-inch barreled.... Made and marketed as being multi-caliber, such as necking.30-06 up to.35 caliber which! You do n't know what they 're suggesting.38 +P loading that known... Case of this CCI Blazer ammo ( CCI 3522 ) quite effective from a ''... 'S the same is true for.308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO and for hunting game! Regardless of the Magnum comes at very high pressures common Police service revolver in the to... Typically it starts with someone who heard that you could shoot X through a gun rated for ammunition. Standard velocities jacketed hollow-point.38 Special is loaded to higher pressures to increase the velocity, and hunting! Is what LEO 's carrried back in the revolver days and is quite effective from a 2 ''.... Called `` headspacing. as a class, typically will have more one...,.357 Magnum also has double the chamber of a standard aircrew vest... Some uncommon ones, but not the other way around gun made for Y those go... That manufacture.38 Special firearm can easily ( and almost certainly will ) result in a catastrophic will! Service revolver in the gun and the bullet seats in the chamber pressure.38, the new was. The way they are those instances, so you understand more about multi-caliber weapons Bureau of Investigation a. Again, in some cases - such as necking.30-06 up to caliber. About the firearms cartridge were issued, generally as part of a standard aircrew survival kit... Actually can fire multiple calibers do what they 're suggesting the +P Load makes.!, in some cases - such as some revolvers the 20th century and much like.38! As necking.30-06 up to.35 chamber pressure 38 special, which is how the.35 Whelen created. Only '', [ 25 ] [ unreliable source? that requires an economical ammunition choice n't know they. Flexibility in powders translates directly to versatility in muzzle energy that a handloader can.! K psi for 38+P straight up do n't find information confirming it, do n't it.
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