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38 vs 38 Special

plains scout
I don't know much about different cartridges, but isn't a 38cal a totally different cartridge than a 38 special?

The old Police guns of the thirty's couldn't shoot 38 specials if they were available, could they?

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11 comments

Date Votes
  • plains scout
    Had a friend ask me to pick up some 38 ammo for the pistol that once belonged to his Grand Dad. Three guys that I talked to at the gun show said a "38" would be the same ammo as the 38 Special. True of false.

    Never heard of just a 38 before this myself. But I am no expert.




    "A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I
    advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives
    boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Games played with the
    ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no
    character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of
    your walks." Thomas Jefferson
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  • rufe-snow
    There's .38 Smith & Wesson Special & .38 Smith & Wesson. The .38 Smith & Wesson was originally a black powder cartridge first used in the 19th Century. Dimensionally there not interchangeable in U S produced firearms.

    Lot of the old "Grand Dad" pistols are .38 Smith & Wesson's, better check first.

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  • Ross
    If it is not a rimfire or a .38 Short Colt or Long Colt you can try either a Spl or S&W case to determine what you have. If it doesn't fit it is probably the other one unless it is a .38-40 WCF.
    Many .38 Long Colt chambers are bored straight through and will accept a longer case, but not the fatter S&W or WCF cases.
    But then you said "pistol". The .38 Auto is still another option.
    Or maybe the .380?
    Is it an American gun and not a .38 Webley-Fosbery or some such?
    I'm confusing myself.
    Cheers from Darkest California,
    Ross
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  • Contender Man
    FALSE!

    Your friend needs to look on the barrel of his pistol and see what cartridge it is marked for. Although there are some of the old "economy" guns that are either not marked or poorly marked.

    If the revolver is one of the better ones it will be properly marked.

    There are 4 "major" 38 cal. centerfire rounds ... Colt 38 standard or short and Colt 38 long, then S&W 38 (often referred to as short or 38-200) and the venerable S&W 38 Special. These cartridges are not interchangeable.


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    If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!
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  • plains scout
    I will have him check. It is the old grand dad gun so I am guessing that at this point it is a .38 and not a special

    It says .38 on the barrel is all it says.

    Thanks for the insight. If you have more to offer I will take it to him.
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  • Hangfire
    Sounds almost for sure its a 38S&W. Any way you can take it to a gunshop-they could tell you in a second!!

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
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  • jsergovic
    Ouch!

    Check it with a few gunsmiths before proceeding.



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  • I.Shute
    Are you sure there are NO other markings on the pistol?
    There should be be something that will identify the maker.

    If not, take a picture of it and send it to one of the experts here and he can look it up in the books, where the cartridge is almost always noted.

    May be able to tell what it is just by looking at it.
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  • plains scout
    It is a Smith & Wesson says "Smith & Wesson 38" that is all. Bought by my friend's grand dad in the 1950's. That is all I can offer for now.

    Thanks
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  • plains scout
    Okay. I had my friend go through the auctions with me. It is to the best of outside appearances exactly like item no.

    http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=17731761

    currently on auction but like new.

    So that we now know it is a 38 and not a 38 Special and this model, what do you all think it is worth? He is not going to sell it because it was his grand dad's bought new by grand dad.

    Thanks guys. This has been very educational.





    "A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I
    advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives
    boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Games played with the
    ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no
    character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of
    your walks." Thomas Jefferson
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  • Hangfire
    If its a Victory Model, I'd sure like you to take it to a Gunshop to check the caliber!!!

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
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