38 Special (.38 Smith & Wesson Special) Ammo
GunCritic Score
95%
Critic Rating
2 Reviews
50%
User Rating
0 Reviews
MSRP:$14.49
Used Price:
$16.55
Sale Price:
$18.39
Ammo Stats
Average Fps
990 fps
Average Energy
235 ft-lbf
Recoil
7.07 N
Ballistic Coefficient
0.14
Sectional Density
0.18 lb/in²
Average Gr
125 gr
Range
50 yd
Muzzle Velocity
900 fps
Muzzle Energy
386 J
Bullet Drop
0.07 in
From$14.49
See DealDesigned by Smith & Wesson, 38 Special ammo is a centerfire rimmed cartridge commonly used in handguns. It is also compatible with a few semi-automatic carbines and pistols. Also known as 38 S&W, .38 Smith & Wesson Special, or 38 Spl, this handgun cartridge is popular for its accuracy and manageable recoil. It was used as the main service cartridge for most US Police departments between the 1920s and the 1990s. 38 Special Specifications: Cartridge Case: .38 Long Colt Cartridge Case type:
...
Rimmed, straight
Diameter of Bullet: 9.1 mm (.357 in)
Base diameter: 9.6 mm (.379 in)
Neck diameter: 9.6 mm (.379 in)
Rim thickness: 1.5 mm (.058 in)
Rim diameter: .44 in (11 mm)
Length of Case: 1.155 in (29.3 mm)
Overall length: 1.550 in (39.4 mm)
Case capacity: 1.52 cm3 (23.4 gr H2O)
Max pressure: 17,500 psi (121 MPa)
Smith & Wesson is the manufacturer of 38 Special Ammo. But now, several other companies are also manufacturing 38 Special Ammo. 38 Special Ammo is good for hand loaders. 38 Special Ammo is almost similar to 38 Short Colt, 38 Long Colt, and 357 Magnum, except for the difference in case length. As the construction is identical, 38 Special Ammo can be used in handguns chambered for 357 Magnum. 38 Short Colt and 38 Long Colt can be fired safely from handguns chambered for 38 Special. The straight walls of the cartridge, rim’s head spacing, accessibility of earlier fired cases, and the compatibility with 357 Magnum firearms made it much popular..38 Special (.38 Smith & Wesson Special) For Sale
.38 Special (.38 Smith & Wesson Special) Ballistics Performance
| Distance (yard) | Elevation (in) | Energy (fps) | Velocity (ft/lb) |
| 0 | 0.00 | 245.52 | 2550.00 |
| 30 | -0.85 | 245.52 | 2550.00 |
| 60 | -3.42 | 245.52 | 2550.00 |
| 90 | -7.69 | 245.52 | 2550.00 |
| 130 | -13.67 | 245.52 | 2550.00 |
| 160 | -21.35 | 245.52 | 2550.00 |
| 190 | -30.75 | 245.52 | 2550.00 |
| 230 | -41.85 | 245.52 | 2550.00 |
| 260 | -54.66 | 245.52 | 2550.00 |
| 290 | -69.18 | 245.52 | 2550.00 |
| Distance (yards) | 0 | 30 | 60 | 90 | 130 | 160 | 190 | 230 | 260 | 290 |
| Elevation (in) | 0.00 | -0.85 | -3.42 | -7.69 | -13.67 | -21.35 | -30.75 | -41.85 | -54.66 | -69.18 |
| Energy (fps) | 245.52 | 245.52 | 245.52 | 245.52 | 245.52 | 245.52 | 245.52 | 245.52 | 245.52 | 245.52 |
| Velocity (ft/lb) | 2550.00 | 2550.00 | 2550.00 | 2550.00 | 2550.00 | 2550.00 | 2550.00 | 2550.00 | 2550.00 | 2550.00 |
GunCritic Score
Ammo Stats
Average Fps
990 fps
Average Energy
235 ft-lbf
Recoil
7.07 N
Ballistic Coefficient
0.14
Sectional Density
0.18 lb/in²
Average Gr
125 gr
Range
50 yd
Muzzle Velocity
900 fps
Muzzle Energy
386 J
Bullet Drop
0.07 in
Wind Drift
0.04 in
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.38 Special (.38 Smith & Wesson Special) Specifications
Category
Caliber
.38 Special (.38 Smith & Wesson Special)
Gun Types
Revolvers, Semi-automatic Pistols
Case Types
Rimmed, Straight-walled
Height
1.16
Average Grain
138
Case Material
Brass
Rim Type
Rimmed
Bullet Types
Jacketed Hollow Point,Full Metal Jacket,Lead Round Nose,Soft Point
Primer Type
Small Pistol
Bullet Diameter
0.310 in
Land Diameter
0.301 in
Neck Diameter
0.345 in
Base Diameter
0.418 in
Rim Diameter
0.437 in
Rim Thickness
0.051 in
Case Length
29 in
Oal Cartridge Length
39 in
Bullet Weight
158 gr
.38 Special (.38 Smith & Wesson Special) Comparisons
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