Why 38 special when bore is dia. .357
Just a little puzzled. If the 38 special is not a true 38, but actually closer to 36 caliber why was it missnamed?
The bore diameter on a 38 special is actually about .357 or .358 ( very close to 36 Caliber).
I'm not trying to start an argument, it just puzzles me.
If you ain't got a sense of humor you got no business bein here!
The bore diameter on a 38 special is actually about .357 or .358 ( very close to 36 Caliber).
I'm not trying to start an argument, it just puzzles me.
If you ain't got a sense of humor you got no business bein here!
0
-
Just the way it is, like a 44 that uses .429 projectiles.
Just the way it is.....
"No honey, I love you, why would I want to change you after we get married ...
If we do not hang together,
We will most certainly hang separately.0 -
The answer dates back to the early Colt C&B "Navy" revolvers (perhaps predecessors; I'm not a gun guy) - which were .36 caliber. When S&W started making the very first .38 S&W revolvers, the round was known as the .36/.38 S&W to distinguish it from the C&B types. The first part was dropped very early, but the round retained the .360" bullet with the .38 designation. The .38 Special is actually the child of the .38-44 which was an improve target round (based on the concept of the .38 S&W) of the late 1800s / early 1900s. It proved so accurate / popular, S&W developed the .38 Special from it. The two used a .357 - .358" projectile . . . I don't know why they dropped the size from the .360" nominal of the .38 S&W, but it became the norm for all the .38 / .357 cartridges which followed.
"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain) ". . . And liberals / DemoWipes" (me)0 -
Hey Teak- I always thought that since the first 38 Specials had a heel seated bullet like the 22LR, the 38 designation came from measuring the case diameter[?]
Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob0 -
What he said. And the 38-44 was a .38 caliber bbl & cylinder on what was then referred to as the 44 frame... 
"Invincibility is in oneself, vulnerability is in the opponent." -Sun Tzu0 -
Maybe because it is "special"???? 0 -
The 38 Special is shorter than a .357 magnum, with less pressure.
If you get one to fit, and fire it, the clyinder may not be up to the greater pressures of the more powerful round.
My two cents.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
6 comments