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.38 Special Ammo

Professionally Reviewed by:

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.

Credentials:

  • • 2x Team Safari Competitor
  • • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
  • • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
  • • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified

.38 Special Ammo: At a Glance

Key Characteristics
Firearm Type Revolver, Some Semi-Automatic Pistols
Primer Type Small Pistol
Used For Self-Defense, Target Shooting, Law Enforcement
Case Design Rimmed, Straight
Year Introduced 1898

.38 Special Ammo: At a Glance: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • ✔ Low recoil, suitable for novice shooters
  • ✔ Excellent accuracy at short to medium ranges
  • ✔ Widely available and affordable
  • ✔ Versatile for various handgun applications
  • ✔ Compatible with .357 Magnum revolvers

Cons

  • ✘ Limited stopping power compared to larger calibers
  • ✘ Not ideal for long-range shooting
  • ✘ Less effective against large or dangerous game
  • ✘ Lower capacity in most firearms compared to semi-auto pistols

.38 Special Ammo: In Depth

By 1900, black powder revolvers were technically obsolete, yet still in common use by American military and police forces. Despite the fact that these guns chambered brass-cased ammo, most of the cartridges they fired barely broke the 700/fps mark, and with fairly lightweight bullets to boot. Purpose-built smokeless powder shooters were around, but not in great numbers, and running the newer powder technology in older, weaker-framed guns could instantly spell their ruin (they’d blow up). Also acutely adding to the bad rap for black powder blasters were reports from overseas that the Army’s .38 Long Colt cartridge failed to drop charging attackers, even with well-placed shots. So, there was hunger for a performance upgrade, but at this point, it wasn’t necessarily time to abandon the revolver altogether. In fact, the US Army’s .38 Long Colt revolver cartridge would hang on to its place as primary sidearm ammunition until 1911 – a year that many firearms enthusiasts know well for the introduction of a certain rimless cartridge automatic pistol.

Right in the middle of the old .38 Long Colt’s service life, Smith and Wesson lengthened its brass case and upped the powder charge, calling the result .38 Smith and Wesson Special. Shortly thereafter, smokeless powder would be substituted for the black powder, further increasing the cartridge’s velocity. By that time, .38 Special featured a 158-gr. LRN (lead round-nose) bullet traveling at roughly 800/fps, and S&W saw fit to update one of their most popular revolvers in order to highlight the round. Chambered especially for the .38 Special cartridge, and fittingly named for its intended target markets, the 1902 version of the S&W Military and Police revolver gathered momentum quickly in both of its namesake arenas – particularly in American law enforcement service.

During WWI, M1911 production was insufficient for supplying the large number of troops deployed overseas, so a 1905 version of the S&W M&P would bolster sidearm inventories at the time. This became a pattern, as WWII saw the Navy and Marine Corps use another M&P variant, the S&W Victory, heavily some twenty-five years later.

Even though the heavier hitting .357 Magnum and even more-powerful revolver cartridges made their marks as early as the 1930s, .38 Special remained the cartridge of choice for US law enforcement for the majority of the 20th century. Shooters appreciated the manageable recoil of the cartridge, even when +P loads were used. The all-steel frames of the contemporary LE revolvers such as the aforementioned M&P or Colt’s Official Police also tamed whatever snappiness might have been there in the first place. Smaller-framed .38 Special snub noses pulled backup duty, often in ankle holsters, as they were easier to conceal.

The desire for better ballistics and more capacity eventually sent .38 Special on its way in favor of .40 S&W and 9mm Luger in the law enforcement sphere. However, newer lightweight metal revolvers chambered in .38 Special continued to be used as backups, during off-duty carry, and for concealed carry by the wider public. In fact, much of the current market activity for this cartridge is concealed carry related.

History and Development

 The cartridge was introduced in 1898 and quickly gained popularity among law enforcement agencies and civilian shooters.

Initially loaded with black powder, the .38 Special transitioned to smokeless powder in the early 20th century, which improved its performance. The cartridge's design allowed for higher pressures than its predecessor, resulting in increased velocity and energy.

Complete Timeline of .38 Special Development:

Year Event
2020 .38 Special remains popular for concealed carry and home defense, with continued innovations in bullet design.
1990 Many law enforcement agencies transition from .38 Special revolvers to semi-automatic pistols.
1974 Introduction of .38 Special +P loadings for increased power in self-defense applications.
1956 Smith & Wesson introduces the Model 10 revolver, which becomes one of the most popular .38 Special firearms.
1930 Wadcutter bullets gain popularity for target shooting with .38 Special.
1898 Smith & Wesson develops the .38 Special cartridge.

.38 Special Performance

The .38 Special offers reliable performance characteristics that have made it a popular choice for law enforcement, self-defense, and target shooting. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:

Characteristic Performance
Velocity 700-1,000 fps (standard pressure)\n800-1,150 fps (+P loads)
Varies based on bullet weight and load type
Energy 200-300 ft-lbs (standard pressure)\n250-350 ft-lbs (+P loads)
Sufficient for self-defense at close ranges
Recoil Low to moderate
Manageable in most revolvers, suitable for novice shooters
Accuracy Excellent at short to medium ranges
Popular for competitive target shooting
Penetration 9-14 inches in ballistic gelatin
Depends on bullet design and load type

Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity

This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .38 Special loads.

Note: Actual velocities may vary based on specific loads, barrel length, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

.38 Special: Effective Range for Different Applications

This table provides estimated effective ranges for .38 Special ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.

Application Effective Range (yards) Notes
Law Enforcement 0-50 Suitable for close-quarters engagements, limited penetration
Self-Defense 0-25 Effective for personal protection, manageable recoil
Target Shooting 0-75 Accurate at short to medium ranges, popular for practice
Hunting (Small Game) 0-50 Suitable for small game at close ranges
Competition 0-50 Used in various revolver competitions, good accuracy

Note: The .38 Special is known for its moderate recoil and good accuracy at short to medium ranges. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.

Applications for .38 Special

The .38 Special's moderate power and versatility make it suitable for several applications:

Law Enforcement and Self-Defense
  • Widely used in law enforcement as a backup weapon
  • Popular choice for concealed carry and personal protection
  • Low recoil allows for quick, accurate follow-up shots
Target Shooting and Competition
  • Common in target shooting due to mild recoil and good accuracy
  • Used in various revolver competitions
  • Wide variety of practice and match-grade ammunition available
Hunting
  • Suitable for small game hunting at close ranges
  • Effective for pest control and varmint hunting
  • Limited use for larger game due to relatively low power
Training
  • Excellent cartridge for new shooters due to manageable recoil
  • Cost-effective for high-volume practice sessions
  • Can be fired from .357 Magnum revolvers for versatility

.38 Special Ammo Comparisons

To understand the .38 Special's place in the handgun world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:

.38 Special vs. .357 Magnum ▼

.38 Special vs. 9mm Luger ▼

.38 Special vs. .380 ACP ▼

Recoil Energy Comparison

Compare the estimated recoil energy of .38 Special with other popular handgun cartridges. (Based on a 2 lb handgun)

Note: Recoil energy can vary based on specific loads, firearm weight, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

Ballistic Trajectory Comparison

This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .38 Special with other popular handgun cartridges over distance.

Note: Trajectories are calculated for a 25-yard zero. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Wind Drift Comparison

This chart compares the wind drift of .38 Special with other popular handgun cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.

Note: Wind drift is calculated for a 10 mph full-value crosswind. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Energy Retention Comparison

This chart compares the energy retention of .38 Special with other popular handgun cartridges over distance.

Note: Energy values are calculated based on typical bullet weights and velocities for each cartridge. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and environmental conditions.

Sectional Density Comparison for .38 Special Ammo

Sectional density is a measure of a bullet's mass relative to its diameter. For .38 Special ammunition, this metric is particularly important for self-defense and target shooting applications.

Cartridge Bullet Weight (gr) Sectional Density
.38 Special 110 0.164
.38 Special 125 0.186
.38 Special 130 0.194
.38 Special 148 0.221
.38 Special 158 0.236

Note: Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². For .38 Special, the bullet diameter is typically 0.357 inches. Higher sectional density can contribute to better penetration, but factors such as velocity and bullet design also significantly influence overall performance.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the difference between .38 Special and .357 Magnum?

A: .38 Special is a shorter cartridge with lower pressure and velocity compared to .357 Magnum. .38 Special can be safely fired from .357 Magnum revolvers, but not vice versa. .357 Magnum typically generates more recoil and muzzle energy.

Q: Can I use .38 Special ammo in a .357 Magnum revolver?

A: Yes, .38 Special can be safely fired from any .357 Magnum revolver. This is a common practice, especially for training or when less recoil is desired.

Q: Is .38 Special good for self-defense?

A: .38 Special is a popular choice for self-defense, particularly in snub-nose revolvers. While not as powerful as some modern semi-auto cartridges, it offers adequate stopping power with proper ammunition selection and shot placement.

.38 Special: Frequently Asked Questions

They both use .357 caliber projectiles (.358 with unjacketed, bare-lead projectiles). The .357 Magnum has a longer case than .38 Special – 0.135” longer, to be exact.

.38 Special ammunition will chamber in and is safe to fire from a .357 Magnum firearm, but not the other way around.

One way is to look at what’s stamped on the barrel. A barrel stamped “.38 Special” is not designed for .38 Special +P ammo, whereas a barrel stamped “.38 Special +P” will safely shoot both .38 Special and .38 Special +P. If you have one, refer to your firearm’s instruction manual to see if the gun is capable of shooting +P ammo. Contact the manufacturer and ask this question directly, if necessary.

Vintage .38 Special revolvers should not be fed +P ammo. Most full-size revolvers are now chambered in .357 Magnum. This chamber can safely shoot .357 Magnum, .38 Special +P, and .38 Special loads. You cannot fire a .357 Magnum round from a .38 Special firearm, as the .357’s case is longer and it likely will not even chamber in the cylinder.

People have been carrying small purpose-built concealable revolvers chambered in .38 Special since the days of the Colt Detective Special (introduced 1927). Really, up until the micro 9s debuted, these guns were the best options for deeply-concealed carry. Also, manufacturers have been replacing the steel in these guns with other metals in order to shed weight since the 1950s. In short, there is a long tradition of .38 Special carry and it remains a good cartridge for that application.

A .38 Special +P loading with a highly-expanding bullet such as Federal’s Hydra-Shok Deep Jacketed Hollow Point is recommended for defensive carry. However, it’s worth pointing out that similar loadings in 9mm Luger +P are much more powerful.

Revolver hunting is best left to cartridges with considerably more beef than .38 Special. The energy delivered is just not enough to hunt most game ethically. Specialty shot rounds are available with a small pellet load suitable for snakes and rats.

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