38 vs 38 special
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?
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
The old Police guns of the thirty's couldn't shoot 38 specials if they were available, could they?
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
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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 Jefferson0 -
There have been a insane number of .38 loadings .38Colt,.38Short,.38S&W,.38-40,..38-44..etc the list goes on.There have been guns in .38 blackpowder chamberings that I know wouldnt fire the .38spl without damage and possible injury.I think maybe one was the victory model Smith and the Argentine Police .38 Blackpowder revolver.
Eric S. Williams
Edited by - E.Williams on 08/25/2002 12:00:330 -
I think Eric summed it up.
Best!!
Rugster
Toujours Pret0 -
Cartridges of the World says that S&W introduced the 38 Special in 1902, so it has been around for 100 years. 0 -
Rugerniner....Let me answer your questions specifically. Yes, the .38 Special cartridge is one of a kind, so to speak, and doesn't fit into but a very few of the old 1930's .38's. However, it may be interesting for you to know that Colt offered some of their revolvers which could shoot most all of the .38 cartridges which were lesser than the .38 special. Their advertising even stated: "Using the same arm, .38 short, .38 colt, .38 long, and etc.(a long list was provided) can be fired in this gun." That gave you some versitility in obtaining ammo from most "any drug store" of the times.....Hahahaha! You could be assurred that many early bandits liked this idea.
However, curiously, the Victory Model S&W was made to fire the .38 S&W cartridge, which no where near approaches the .38 Special which was in great abundance at that time....! I guess, Smith and Wesson was like Colt in that they preferred to make guns for their own cartridges. Hence, .38 Long Colt was made for certain Colt Revolvers and .38 S&W cartridges fit into certain Smith and Wessons. A lesson in Marketing if looked into carefully. Most Reloading Manuals will give you all the info needed to compare the ".38 Cartridges." Hope this helps.
If You Can't Buy a Pair, Get a Spare!0 -
I was under the impression that the Victory Model
was chambered both in .38 S&W and .38 Special?0 -
Saying ".38 caliber handgun" is no different than saying ".30 caliber rifle" - both encompass a seemingly infinite number of variations on this theme, multiple times more examples than appear in COTW. Saxon is spot on, as usual, in pointing out the discrepancies between the nominal caliber and the measured bores. In reference to the ".38" this goes back to the era immediately after the Civil War - there is a early and rare S&W which was called the .36 S&W. The designation was changed almost immediately to .38 - perhaps to distinguish it from the .36 Colt which was still very much in use at that time? And just to throw in a little more gratuitous information, virtually all the so-called ".32 caliber" revolver cartridges are really .30 or .31, and that began with the rimfires being made *during* the Civil War. "Truth in naming" has never been a cornerstone of the firearms industry! 0 -
Man-o-man! What's going on here?
A senior member with over 1300 posts asking the same question as my 9 year-old grand daughter. -
"These two 38s aren't the same, huh, grampa?"
There's millions of Gun Digest, Guns Illustrated, Shooter's Bible, etc. out there with cartridge designations and I'll wager that 99% of gun enthusiasts with over 5 posts has at least three of these!
And - - do you get another star for saying that the last poster has it about right? Wow!0 -
I did say I thought with the Victory model and yes I thought wrong the Victory is .38S&W.The Black Powder .38 I was speaking of is .38Largo and the gun was the Orbea it was a Spanish copy of a Smith foreign Police and Military revolver.It is not reccomended to shoot the newer High Pressure rounds in this gun.
Eric S. Williams
Edited by - E.Williams on 08/25/2002 20:26:580 -
I.Shute
You got a problem with me?
The first words on the post are "I don't know much about different cartridges". Should I be afraid to ask questions here because of insensitive A-holes like you? What do the number of my post's have anything to do with it? Have you read any of my posts to know what I've said or enough to even judge me?
And as far as having a lot of books (hunting,guns) around, No I don't. I have a Life away from this computer and house.
And if you read the above Posts you will see that not everybody has the same opinion about the 38cal and you didn't have any.
I'm willing to bet your life revolves around in a very small circle.
Do you live, eat, and breath guns and related articles.
You must be one of those TROLLS I've heard about. You Lurk around just to post negativity.
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!0 -
RugerNiner, there aren't any stupid questions, just stupid answers. You got a lot of good answers and one stupid one, so you're doing pretty well. 0 -
Gordian Blade;
I just got rubbed the wrong way. Since I've been here on this Forum no one has treated me like that. Everyone has been respectful even when disagreeing with me.
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
Edited by - RugerNiner on 08/25/2002 20:53:000
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