Difference between 38 & 38special
- Thread starter LuckyLuc82
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
OP, don't assume anything. Find out which cartridge your gun is chambered for. If it predates the .38 Special it could well be a .38 Long or .38 Short, neither of which are the same as a .38 S&W. If the gun simply predates the M-10 it could be a Hand Ejector model in .38 Special.
With respect to revolver accuracy, the key here is not so much the bore diameter, but the necessity that the bullet diameter matches the chamber throat diameter. Although he practice was/is frowned upon, I trimmed off .38 Special brass and made up loads to shoot in a Victory model S&W. Accuracy was as good as with factory .38 S&W ammo, and I never experienced the often predicted case failure, although I didn't try to get .357 magnum velocities either.
By the way, I purchased a Colt Army Special in pretty dismal shape for about twice what your gun costs. I treat the old girl pretty gently when I do shoot it, and it still shoots well despite having to index the cylinder manually after cocking the hammer, funny it indexes alright when I shoot it double action. Treat your gun gently and it might surprise you.
With respect to revolver accuracy, the key here is not so much the bore diameter, but the necessity that the bullet diameter matches the chamber throat diameter. Although he practice was/is frowned upon, I trimmed off .38 Special brass and made up loads to shoot in a Victory model S&W. Accuracy was as good as with factory .38 S&W ammo, and I never experienced the often predicted case failure, although I didn't try to get .357 magnum velocities either.
By the way, I purchased a Colt Army Special in pretty dismal shape for about twice what your gun costs. I treat the old girl pretty gently when I do shoot it, and it still shoots well despite having to index the cylinder manually after cocking the hammer, funny it indexes alright when I shoot it double action. Treat your gun gently and it might surprise you.
