38 S&W

[Rich]

Can a 38SPL safely shoot the 38S&W ?

And how about the short and long 38 Colt?


Thanks guys

[rsa-otc]

Can a 38SPL safely shoot the 38S&W ?

And how about the short and long 38 Colt?


Thanks guys

38 S&W is not interchangeable with 38spl. Same can be said about both Colt cartridges.

[Tamara]

Can a 38SPL safely shoot the 38S&W ?

And how about the short and long 38 Colt?

1) No. .38S&W will not even chamber in a .38 Spl.

2) To the best of my knowledge, .38 Long Colt will work in a .38 Spl, but the reverse is not true.

[rsa-otc]

It is my understanding that both the Colt loadings have a bullet diameter of .361. Can you run that down a .358 barrel with out issues?

[Tamara]

It is my understanding that both the Colt loadings have a bullet diameter of .361. Can you run that down a .358 barrel with out issues?

.38 Long Colt uses a 158gr .357" LRN bullet; the .38 Special was developed as a .mil round specifically so that the revolvers that fired it would be backward compatible with the older service cartridge, AFAIK.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_Long_Colt

[rsa-otc]

.38 Long Colt uses a 158gr .357" LRN bullet; the .38 Special was developed as a .mil round specifically so that the revolvers that fired it would be backward compatible with the older service cartridge, AFAIK.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_Long_Colt

Tam interesting that we both went to the same source. LOL In the side bar they say the bullet diameter of the Colt loadings are .361.


I was responding to your post :"2) To the best of my knowledge, .38 Long Colt will work in a .38 Spl, but the reverse is not true."

Further pursuing the interwebs has the 38 Colt bullet diameter all over the place. But in the end they show that a standard pressure (Non +P) 38 special round may be fired in a good condition 38 long colt with so-so accuracy because of the different bore sizes. 38 Special bullet would be undersized in the 38 colt bore.

[Tamara]

Cartridges Of The World listed a .357 projo, but I couldn't be arsed at the time to go up to the attic and mic one. I will when I get home from lunch. (I think the Short Colt used a heel-based bullet but the Long used a modern inside-lubed one, but I'm going from memory here.)

EDIT: Here might be an explanation for the confusion re. Bullet dia. Vs. bore dia. http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/...long-colt.html

[rsa-otc]

Cartridges Of The World listed a .357 projo, but I couldn't be arsed at the time to go up to the attic and mic one. I will when I get home from lunch. (I think the Short Colt used a heel-based bullet but the Long used a modern inside-lubed one, but I'm going from memory here.)

Tam leave it to you to have one in the closet. LOL

Probably the best way to get our answer is micing an actual bullet.

[Rich]

Thanks gal and guy!

That's to bad !

[rsa-otc]

EDIT: Here might be an explanation for the confusion re. Bullet dia. Vs. bore dia. http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/...long-colt.html

Excellent find.