Despite sharing similar names and both being .38 caliber cartridges, the .38 Smith & Wesson and .38 Special are distinctly different cartridges that are not interchangeable. We here at True Shot Academy frequently encounter confusion about these two cartridges, and this misconception can lead to serious safety issues if the wrong ammunition is used in the wrong firearm. This article examines both cartridges in detail, explains their differences, and clarifies why understanding these distinctions is crucial for safe firearm operation.
Defining the .38 Smith & Wesson
The .38 Smith & Wesson, often abbreviated as .38 S&W or .38 Short Colt, represents one of the earlier centerfire revolver cartridges developed in the late 19th century. Introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1877, this cartridge was designed for their top-break revolvers during an era when black powder was still the primary propellant. The cartridge measures approximately 1.56 inches in overall length with a case length of 0.775 inches.
The .38 S&W features a relatively straight-walled case with minimal taper and uses a bullet diameter of .361 inches, despite its .38 designation. This naming convention reflects the measurement of the cartridge case rather than the actual bullet diameter, a practice common in that era. The cartridge was originally loaded with black powder pushing lead bullets weighing between 145 and 200 grains at modest velocities.
During its heyday, the .38 S&W gained popularity as a self-defense and police cartridge, particularly in top-break revolvers that were favored for their quick reloading capability. The cartridge saw military use during World War II when it was adopted by British and Commonwealth forces as the .38/200, loaded with a 200-grain bullet for use in Webley and Enfield revolvers.
Today, the .38 S&W exists primarily as a historical curiosity and collector’s cartridge. While ammunition is still manufactured, it’s produced in very limited quantities by specialty manufacturers catering to collectors and owners of vintage firearms. The cartridge’s relatively low power and the declining number of functional firearms chambered for it have relegated it to historical significance rather than practical modern use.
Understanding the .38 Special
The .38 Special represents a significant evolution from the .38 S&W, introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1898 to address the limitations of the earlier cartridge. The .38 Special was designed specifically for the new swing-out cylinder revolvers that were replacing top-break designs, and it incorporated a longer case to accommodate more powerful loads.
Measuring 1.550 inches in overall length with a case length of 1.155 inches, the .38 Special is significantly longer than the .38 S&W. This increased case capacity allows for larger powder charges and higher operating pressures, resulting in substantially improved ballistic performance. Like the .38 S&W, the .38 Special uses bullets with a diameter of .357-.358 inches despite its .38 designation.
The .38 Special quickly established itself as the premier police and self-defense cartridge in America, maintaining that status for nearly seven decades. Its combination of adequate stopping power, manageable recoil, and reliable performance made it the standard sidearm cartridge for law enforcement until the widespread adoption of semi-automatic pistols in the 1980s and 1990s.
Unlike the .38 S&W, the .38 Special remains extremely relevant in modern firearms applications. It continues to serve as an excellent self-defense cartridge, particularly for concealed carry revolvers, and maintains popularity among target shooters and hunters using lightweight bullets for small game. The cartridge’s versatility across different bullet weights and power levels has ensured its continued production and development.
Ballistic Performance Comparison
The ballistic differences between these cartridges are substantial, reflecting their different design eras and intended applications.
The .38 S&W operates at relatively low pressures (approximately 14,500 psi) and produces modest velocities with its typical bullet weights. 145-grain bullets achieve approximately 685 fps, generating about 150 ft-lbs of energy, while 200-grain bullets reach roughly 630 fps, producing about 175 ft-lbs of energy. These performance figures place the .38 S&W in the same general category as modern .32 caliber cartridges, adequate for small game and minimal self-defense applications but lacking the power for serious defensive use by contemporary standards.
The .38 Special operates at significantly higher pressures (17,000 psi standard, 20,000 psi for +P loads) and delivers substantially better performance. 110-grain bullets achieve approximately 1,000 fps, generating about 245 ft-lbs of energy, while 125-grain bullets reach roughly 950 fps, producing about 250 ft-lbs of energy. Standard 158-grain bullets deliver around 800 fps, generating about 225 ft-lbs of energy, while 158-grain +P loads achieve approximately 900 fps, producing about 285 ft-lbs of energy. The .38 Special’s superior ballistics make it suitable for serious self-defense applications, small to medium game hunting, and competitive target shooting. The availability of +P loadings further extends its capabilities for those requiring maximum performance from the cartridge.
The substantial pressure difference between these cartridges creates a serious safety concern. .38 Special and .38 Smith & Wesson are not interchangeable cartridges and should never be used interchangeably. .38 Special ammunition should never be fired in firearms chambered for .38 S&W. The higher pressure of .38 Special loads can cause catastrophic failure in firearms designed only for the lower-pressure .38 S&W, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. While .38 S&W ammunition can technically be fired in .38 Special revolvers due to the longer chamber, this practice is not recommended as it can lead to poor accuracy, inconsistent performance, and potential timing issues. Shooters should always use ammunition specifically designed for their firearm’s chamber designation and avoid any cross-compatibility unless explicitly safe and appropriate, such as firing .38 Special in .357 Magnum revolvers or .223 Remington in 5.56mm NATO chambers.
Ammunition Availability and Types
Modern ammunition production for the .38 S&W is extremely limited, reflecting the cartridge’s historical status and minimal demand. Only a few specialty manufacturers continue production. Winchester occasionally produces .38 S&W ammunition featuring 145-grain lead round nose bullets at traditional velocities. These loads are designed primarily for collectors and vintage firearm enthusiasts rather than practical applications. Fiocchi, an Italian manufacturer, produces .38 S&W ammunition in limited quantities, typically featuring 146-grain lead bullets. Their loads maintain traditional ballistic performance while meeting modern manufacturing standards. Various small-scale manufacturers and custom loaders occasionally produce .38 S&W ammunition, though availability is unpredictable and quantities are typically very small. These specialty loads often cater to specific vintage firearms or collector requirements.
The .38 Special enjoys extensive ammunition support from virtually every major manufacturer, with options spanning from basic target loads to premium self-defense ammunition. Target and practice loads include Federal Champion, Winchester White Box, Remington UMC, and other value lines that offer affordable full metal jacket and lead round nose options for practice and target shooting. Premium self-defense loads include Federal Premium Personal Defense with Hydra-Shok bullets, Speer Gold Dot, Hornady Critical Defense, Winchester PDX1 Defender, and Remington Golden Saber. These loads feature modern hollow point bullets optimized for reliable expansion and penetration. Enhanced-pressure +P loads from manufacturers like Buffalo Bore, Cor-Bon, and major manufacturers provide increased velocity and energy for those requiring maximum performance. Precision ammunition from Federal Gold Medal, Hornady Match, and other manufacturers caters to competitive shooters requiring exceptional accuracy.
Compatible Firearms
Firearms chambered for .38 S&W are primarily vintage revolvers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Smith & Wesson produced various top-break models including the Safety Hammerless, .38 Single Action, and early swing-out cylinder models. These firearms are primarily collector pieces today, with many requiring gunsmith evaluation before firing due to their age. Colt produced several revolvers in .38 S&W including variants of the Police Positive and other early 20th-century designs. Like Smith & Wesson examples, these are primarily collector items. British military revolvers including Webley and Enfield models chambered for the .38/200 (essentially .38 S&W with a heavier bullet) saw extensive military service. Many of these firearms remain functional but are valued more as historical artifacts than practical shooting tools. Various European manufacturers produced .38 S&W revolvers for military and civilian markets, though most production ceased decades ago.
The .38 Special remains chambered in numerous modern revolvers across various manufacturers. Smith & Wesson’s extensive current production includes the Model 642 Airweight, Model 637 Chief’s Special, Model 10 Military & Police, Model 686 Plus, and numerous other configurations from snub-nose concealed carry guns to full-size target revolvers. Ruger offers the LCR, SP101, and GP100 lines with modern .38 Special options in various barrel lengths and configurations. Ruger’s reputation for durability makes their revolvers popular among both new and experienced shooters. Taurus produces the Model 85, Model 605, and various other revolvers that provide affordable .38 Special options for budget-conscious buyers. Charter Arms specializes in compact .38 Special revolvers ideal for concealed carry applications. While production is limited, Colt occasionally offers .38 Special revolvers including variants of their classic designs.
Use Cases and Applications
The .38 S&W’s modern applications are extremely limited. Historical collecting represents the primary application today, involving collecting and preserving vintage firearms. Collectors may fire these cartridges occasionally to demonstrate functionality, but practical use is minimal. Some historical reenactors and period shooting enthusiasts use .38 S&W ammunition in appropriate vintage firearms for authentic historical demonstrations. In jurisdictions where legal, the .38 S&W can be adequate for very small game at close range, though modern cartridges offer superior performance for such applications.
The .38 Special remains highly relevant across multiple applications. It excels for self-defense in concealed carry revolvers, particularly for those who prefer revolvers over semi-automatic pistols. The cartridge’s reliability and moderate recoil make it suitable for a wide range of users. While less common than in previous decades, some law enforcement agencies still issue .38 Special revolvers, particularly for backup or specialized applications. The cartridge is popular for recreational shooting, competitive events, and training due to its accuracy potential and manageable recoil. With appropriate bullets, the .38 Special is suitable for small game hunting including rabbits, squirrels, and similar animals within reasonable ranges. It also serves as an excellent training cartridge for introducing new shooters to centerfire cartridges due to its moderate recoil and reliable performance.
Key Differences and Safety Considerations
The fundamental differences between .38 S&W and .38 Special extend beyond simple case length. The .38 S&W represents a black powder era design with minimal power, while the .38 Special reflects early smokeless powder development with substantially improved performance. The pressure differential creates serious safety concerns that cannot be ignored.
Modern shooters should understand that .38 S&W exists primarily for historical interest and vintage firearm maintenance. Its limited power and extremely restricted ammunition availability make it impractical for serious applications. The .38 Special, conversely, remains a viable and popular cartridge suitable for self-defense, target shooting, and hunting applications.
Anyone owning firearms in either caliber must verify the correct cartridge designation before purchasing ammunition and should never attempt to use these cartridges interchangeably. The consequences of using .38 Special ammunition in a .38 S&W firearm can be catastrophic, making proper identification crucial for safe operation. Shooters should always stick to ammunition specifically designed for their firearm’s chamber designation, just as they would use only appropriate cartridge combinations like .38 Special in .357 Magnum revolvers or .223 Remington in 5.56mm NATO chambers where such compatibility is established and safe.
Conclusion
The .38 Smith & Wesson and .38 Special are distinctly different cartridges despite their similar names and .38 caliber designation, and they are not interchangeable. The .38 S&W remains relegated to historical significance as a collector’s cartridge with extremely limited modern applications and ammunition availability. The .38 Special continues as a relevant, practical cartridge suitable for self-defense, target shooting, and hunting applications with extensive ammunition support and firearm availability.
We here at True Shot Ammo carry .38 Special ammunition for sale in addition to our range of ammo for sale. This inventory of ammunition for sale encompasses popular calibers and gauges like 9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, and .22 LR. Please note that we do not currently stock .38 Smith & Wesson ammunition due to limited demand. Whether you want to buy .38 Special ammunition or buy bulk ammo, we have you covered. Till then, take your best shot and see you at the range.
