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About 38 Special Ammunition
The .38 Special cartridge was developed by Smith & Wesson in 1898 and has a long history as a reliable round for law enforcement, self-defense, and target shooting. Known for its manageable recoil and effectiveness, it became one of the most widely used revolver cartridges in the 20th century. Even today, it remains a staple among revolver enthusiasts and is commonly found in both new and vintage handguns.
Types of 38 Special Loadings
- Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): Like the name suggests, these types of loadings feature projectiles which are adorned with metal jacketing. This jacket is generally made of copper and will cover the tip and sides of the projectile. Typically, the base of the projectile is left uncoated.These types of loadings are well-suited for range use and are some of the most common types of ammo one will encounter.
- Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP): JHP loadings feature hollow point projectiles which are adorned with a full metal jacket. These loadings are generally found in the form of defensive ammo offerings and are designed to facilitate reliable expansion upon impact. Additionally, these types of loadings are designed to achieve adequate levels of penetration for defensive purposes while not over penetrating the target and risking collateral damage. A good hollow point loading is one that achieves an appropriate level of penetration while expanding reliably upon impact within the target.
- Lead Round Nose (LRN): These loadings feature exposed lead projectiles which feature rounded tips. These types of loadings are common in rimfire ammo offerings and centerfire handgun ammunition loadings. Loadings of this type are well-suited to a variety of use cases and are great for plinking and recreational shooting. The lack of jacketing typically keeps pricing low for these loadings.
- Semi Jacketed Soft Point (SJSP): Loadings of this type are often simply called JSP, or jacketed soft point loadings. These types of loadings feature projectiles with jacketing which does not fully cover the entire bullet. Typically, these loadings have flat or round nose projectiles which extend beyond the jacketing of the bullet. These loadings tend to make for good general-purpose ammunition.
- Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP): These types of loadings feature jacketing on their projectiles which stops just before the tip of the bullet. These types of semi jacketed soft point loadings stand out from others due to the inclusion of a hollow point projectile. Typically, hollow point projectiles, like those found in SJSP loadings, feature notches which aid in expansion. These types of loadings are well-suited for defensive use.
Firearms that Use 38 Special Ammo
The .38 Special is primarily used in revolvers, with some of the most popular models coming from companies such as Smith & Wesson, Colt, and Ruger.. In addition to revolvers, .38 Special is also often used in lever action rifles. Of course, firearms chambered in .357 Magnum are capable of accepting .38 Special ammo. This interchangeability increases the amount of firearms one can use .38 Special ammunition in.
Use Cases for 38 Special Ammunition
- Plinking
- Training
- Competition
- Defense
Popular Brands: 38 Special Ammo
Caliber Name Variations
- .38 Special
- .38 Spc
- .38 S&W Special
- .38 Smith & Wesson Special
38 Special Interchangeability
Firearms chambered in .357 Magnum can safely shoot .38 Special rounds, offering flexibility to shooters who want to practice with lower recoil rounds. However, .357 Magnum ammo cannot be fired in a .38 Special firearms chamber due to its longer case length. Additionally, .38 Special firearms are not rated for pressures generated by .357 Magnum ammo. This interchangeability has made .38 Special a go-to cartridge for .357 Magnum shooters who want to save money and get to the range more.
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