.38 S&W in a .357???

roswellnative

December 30, 2012 12:05

I had an older topbreak .38 S&W that I sold. I have a box of ammo.

Can you shoot .38 S&W in a .357?

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  Mobuck

  December 30, 2012 12:14

  38 S&W case is .386 ahead of the rim. 38SP/357 is .379 ahead of the rim.
  357/38SP with correct chambers won't take the S&W case.

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  jaegermister

  December 30, 2012 14:02

  Can not chamber a 38S&W in a 38 spl or 357mag, revolver. As stated.
  But you maybe able to chamber and fire 38S&W in a 38spl Uberti or other lever rifle.
  Of course why...for one box of ammo? you can load a 38spl to the same ballistics.

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  MIKE WISKEY

  December 30, 2012 15:09

  .38 S&W will chamber in some revolvers, it depends on chamber dimenstions.....but it isn't a good idea. good gun show trading goods.

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  5mmgunguy

  December 30, 2012 19:03

  Simple answer...No.

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  roswellnative

  January 01, 2013 06:12

  Thanks. I was sort of assuming that .38 s&w was like a short .38 and went on further to assume that since it was a stout revolver and had a rim ... Etc... Ad nausium... But you know what happens when RN assumes...you all set me straight Thanks. Hmmm I've got to think about a 5 k give a way...

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  5mmgunguy

  January 01, 2013 10:17

  Just after posting my comment I ran into a guy at the range who used a 357 carbide sizer to size 38 S%W brass to fit the 357 chamber. Used the expander and seater for the 38 S&W dies. Shot the reloads in his 357 revolver, seemed to work ok. Over the chono were moving at 700 fps. Only fair accuracy and I bet the 357 chamber had to be cleaned before you could put a 357 round back in the gun as I am sure the lead bullet bounced alittle before making the barrel. So what do I know, where there is a will almost always there is a way.

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  countryfarmer

  January 01, 2013 10:56

  FYI...I have shot 38 S&W in my 357, it fit in the chamber and of course it has no where near the pressure a 357 does.

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  Cheechako

  January 01, 2013 11:09

  38 S&W is an old cartridge and not all of them are created equal. Some are smaller in diameter and will fit just fine in a 38 Special or 357 Magnum chamber. Some will be a tight fit and some will not enter at all. Add to that the differences in chambers and you can see that there is no pat answer to the question.
  
  Ray

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  beantownshootah

  January 02, 2013 07:22

  If you happen to have one, it will probably still work fine in one of those older Victory models that was "converted" from .38SW to .38 special after the war.
  
  Here's mine. Gun looks to have been professionally converted, then nickle-plated. Cheesy plastic faux-stag grips were on there when I got it, but they have a certain crazy period charm..
  
  

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