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.38 Colt caliber info.

brummiejim
Hi, Experts. I'm back for more assistance. I'm looking at a pre war Colt Single Action in the unusual caliber of .38 Colt. I'm told this gun will also shoot .38 Special ammo. if .38 Colt can't be located. Can anyone confirm if .38 Special is safe to shoot in a gun marked .38 Colt? Thanks Jim
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4 comments

Date Votes
  • Laredo Lefty
    The .38 Colt was a replacement for the.38 Short Colt which was a rather low powered round.

    While both the .38 Spl & .38 Colt rounds use the .357 diameter bullet, the .38 special round generates more pressure than the .38 colt so I would NOT suggest shooting .38 special in a gun marked .38 Colt.
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  • perry shooter
    Hello 38 short colt 38 long Colt 38 special 357 Mag and 357Max. all have the same diameter case and same diameter Projectile . However one would not want to shoot a 357 Max in a gun designed for 357 Mag or shoot a 357 mag in a pistol designed for 38 special ETC ETC a first generation colt in 38 colt is Rare why on earth would one buy a rare piece and shoot an over powered cartridge in it. Buy yourself a single action First Second or Third generation colt S.A.A. in 38 special or even a second or later generation one in 357 mag .
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  • v35
    The 38 special is a little longer than the 38 Colt so if the Colt is chambered correctly, you won't be able to chamber a 38 Spl.
    You can buy a 38 spl cylinder and fit a new bushing.
    The gun has plenty of beef for the 38 spl but I would keep it at standard velocity.
    Shooting the SAA threatens several internal parts like the trigger and cylinder lock spring, the cyl lock bolt and the main spring.
    If you're intent on shooting it, I'd replace the heavy original hammer spring with the new lighter spring to reduce wear and tear.
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  • p3skyking
    The .38 Long Colt was introduced in the New Army and Navy Revolver. This is the cartridge that fail against the Morros in the Phillipines.
    I shoot .38 Special wadcutters and lead roundnose in my 1903 Army revolver with no problems at all, but I won't shoot +P or any other high powered ammo in it. You have to realize that with the influx of many thousands of low quality antique Spanish copies of the .38 Smith and Wesson revolver, ammunition makers had to throttle back on the power of the .38 Special.
    Try a chrono on plain old Winchester .38 Special. It is nowadays about the same as the original .38 Long Colt.
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