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US Model 1903 REVOLVER cartridge?

US Military Guy
Is the M-1903 revolver chambered for a .38 special - or .38 Smith & Wesson?

What is the difference, if any, between the two?
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • dcs shooters
    You have to have a 1903 or 1905 as S&W didn't make a 1903.
    Either way it is a 38spl. Let us know what the serial number is and we can tell you exactly what it is.
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  • rufe-snow
    If it's the military rather then the civilian version of the same revolver it's chambered for the .38 Long Colt cartridge not the .38 Special. The .38 Long Colt was originally a low pressure black powder cartridge dating to the late 1880's. It was the standard cartridge for the U.S. military until the Colt 1911 was adopted.
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  • US Military Guy
    Oops! You are correct, dcs. It is a Colt, US Model-1903. Serial number is 206202.

    Rufe, Not-withstanding the black powder vs. smokeless powder thing, is there a physical difference between the Long Colt and Special?

    I have a presentation at the local high school and am attempting to show the difference between the M-1903 and the M-1911. Is the Special "close enough" for a bunch of Freshman high school kids?
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  • Hawk Carse
    Yes. The .38 Special has a longer case to hold more powder and a heavier bullet than .38 Long Colt.
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  • perry shooter
    Hello the 38 Short Colt /38 Long Colt /38S pecial /357 Magnum /357 Maximum all have the same head diameter.The case length is the difference the longer the cartridge the higher the velocity and PRESSURE. to just show the gun and ammo MY be OK however I dont think I would show a bunch of teenagers pistols and LIVE ammo together Blanks or empty cases would be OK . but IMHO pistols and ammo with large numbers of people too easy to get distracted and the pistol getting loaded by someone else. YMMV
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  • US Military Guy
    This will be the first time I have even used handguns in the school. I frequently take "battle" rifles, but leave the handguns in the vault. Tommorrow's session will be on World War I only and the teacher has specifically asked about the "technology" of the War. My intent is to demonstrate the reason for the adoption of the M-1911 from the M-1903 revolver. I NEVER take live ammunition to the school. I will cut a .38 special to the proper length and load an unprimed case with a 115 grain round nose soft lead from a 9mm. I think it will look good enough to a Freshman.

    Thanks for your help, everybody.
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