.38 long colt/.38 special
I have a family heirloom S&W swingout, double action with a low four-digit serial number. It has the free standing cylinder pin making it a first generation, probably around 1899. The question is, my grandfather and later my father always said it was .38 special. We fired .38 specials in it when I was a kid. no problems and good accuracy. It is a nice piece in very good shape. But the special wasn't introduced until 1902. The guns then got the underbarrel lug retaining the cylinder at the front as well. I read some early models got the chambering before it's official introduction. My question is, is that true and is this a fairly rare piece? Or conversely, could it be a .38 long Colt and we've just been firing specials in it? Can that be done, first of all, and is it safe with standard velocity specials. And I don't think it's been re-chambered as the cylinder serial number matches the one on the frame.
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Hello the 38 short colt - 357 MAXIMUM all have same rim and base size differance is in case lenght I agree with you that your pistol MIGHT be 38 long colt and a pistol over 100 years old might be dangerous to use 38 special see If S & W could give you any insight. 0 -
I'd check with Smith to make sure you get the straight scoop on it - good shooting 0 -
First off the 1st Model M&P HE was what launched the 38 Special cartridge and the year was 1899.
Your revolver should have "38 S&W Special CTG" and "U.S. Service CTG" markings on the left side of the barrel.
38 Long Colt and 38 Special are two different cartridges, and I would have to check the dimension information to say if one cart. coud be fired in the other, but that will have to wait until I'm hame later today.
Regardless of the cart. your revolver is chambered for I urge CAUTION in firing modern loadings in the older pistols. If you do not reload, then buy "cowboy" loads as these are reduced power loads.
UPDATE: The 38 Long Colt is essentially the same case and rim diameter, but it is shorter on length. So the 38 Colt, short or Long can be fired in a S&W chambered for 38 Special. But in a S&W chambered for the "Long Colt" the cylinder bore depth will not permit loading of the 38 Special. And now to further confuse things; two of my references state that early model Colts could/can chamber the 38 Special and 357 Magnum ... however DO NOT try it as the metal in those revolvers is not strong enough for the higher pressures (especially the magnum) and VERY bad things can happen to the gun, and/or the shooter, and/or bystanders!
But you've stated that you have a S&W so there is no worry about the cylinder accepting a 357 mag. round. Just don't use modern pressure loads in the old boomer ....
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
Just an idea, PLEASE DO NOT TRY untill approved by more experienced members. What about 38 wadcutters? They are really short in length and the pressures should be OK even for such an old gun.
Daniel.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dbarale
Just an idea, PLEASE DO NOT TRY untill approved by more experienced members. What about 38 wadcutters? They are really short in length and the pressures should be OK even for such an old gun.
Daniel.
I certainly would never recommend shooting any 38 spec in a long colt chamber....even a wadcutter. If you are qualified to examine the gun, be very experienced and versed in reloading then its your call- but nobody will or should recommend it.
Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob0 -
Case length of 38 spec. wadcutter is the same. OAL is shorter because of the bullet.
However you do hit on a good idea for the older 38 spec. revolvers. Rather than pay some pretty good prices for "cowboy loads" pick up some wadcutter.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
Thanks for the info. I will give S&W a call. Obviously, only standard loads have been fired in the gun, and very seldom. The wadcutter idea is a good one. I don't reload, and the gun will see very little shooting. There is no caliber marking anywhere on the gun, but serial numbers on the frame, cylinder and under the barrel all match, so I guess it's up to S&W to figure this out. I am surprised about the intro date. The Cartridges of the World volume I checked said 1902 with the second generation as the introduction. That confusion might explain things since the cylinder length is identical to a more modern .38 special I own. If the introduction of the cartridge is earlier, than the gun could easily be what my family always thought it was. 0
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