Dilema with my enfield no 2

D King

D King

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Edmonton, AB
So here's the story, young gun nut with brand spanking new RPAL that is super excited for his first hand gun. Has his heart set on a top break, WW2 revolver. Goes to a gun show, spots a Lee enfield no 2 in superb condition. caliber is .38 s&w, everything functions fine, barrel looks great, locks up tight, SOLD!

I go home with the receipt from wolverine, super giddy about what I am expecting in the mail, make a stop in my local gun shop.
Me: "Hey, you have any .38 s&w?"
Gund dealer: "I will right after my shipment of unicorn dust and headlight fluid comes in." (not exact words, he was much nicer but I'm trying to make light of my situation)
Me: "What?"
GD: "It's impossible to find. Why? You bought an enfield, didn't you?"
Me: "Sh**"

So now I have this beautiful revolver coming in and...
I CAN'T SHOOT IT!
I wish I'd known the bullets were made of unobtanium

So, here are the options I've cooked up

1. Safe queen, wait until the fabled day I land an unobtainable bullet

2. Dewat, deactivate and use for display, possibly sell for what I paid (200$).

3. look at possibly rechambering and boring out the barrel so I can shoot .40 s&W. If this is even possible, as .40 s&W is 1mm bigger in most measurements. but as soon as one starts to grind away metal, it becomes unsafe.

4. IF POSSIBLE/SAFE, simply shoot .38 special blanks out of it. I'd be happy with merely going bang and making smoke. Will this gun accept .38 special blanks?

So I'm looking for input. I would like to find a supply of .38 s&w in the edmonton area. even just one box would keep me happy for a year considering how rarely I get time to hit the range. Options, ideas, if any smith would be willing to help me tempt the idea of converting it to .40 s&w or some other caliber that I can find without having to sell my soul. all input would be nice
 
The thing todo is to trim down .38 spcl brass and use .38 cal rounds.
I looked in to doing this my self.
Do not dewat. Sell if u don't want it.
 
Option #5 (Which should be #1) - Get into reloading.

I was all set to buy a Smith & Wesson Victory Model until I tried to find ammo prices (something I do before I get a gun in any caliber I don't currently shoot). So I'll be getting into reloading before I get anything that isn't chambered in 9 mm, .38 spcl, .357 or .45 ACP.

By the way, as a fellow young(ish) gun nut, I applaud your choice in getting a revolver. I hope you find a way to shoot it soon.
 
reid134 said:
The thing todo is to trim down .38 spcl brass and use .38 cal rounds.
I looked in to doing this my self.
Do not dewat. Sell if u don't want it.
Click to expand...

^^ This ^^


.38 S&W specs:

Bullet diameter
.361 in (9.2 mm)

Neck diameter
.3855 in (9.79 mm)

Base diameter
.3865 in (9.82 mm)

Rim diameter
.440 in (11.2 mm)

Rim thickness
.055 in (1.4 mm)

Case length
.775 in (19.7 mm)

Overall length
1.240 in (31.5 mm


.38 Special specs:

Bullet diameter
.357 in (9.1 mm)

Neck diameter
.379 in (9.6 mm)

Base diameter
.379 in (9.6 mm)

Rim diameter
.44 in (11 mm)

Rim thickness
.058 in (1.5 mm)

Case length
1.155 in (29.3 mm)

Overall length
1.55 in (39 mm


Buy a case trimmer and get to reloading....

Currently only a few companies still manufacture ammunition. The majority that do offer it in only a 145 grain Lead Round Nose bullet, though Fiocchi still markets FMJ rounds. Some companies such as Buffalo Bore manufacture self-defense or hunting variants (https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=350)
 
Melnibonean said:
^^ This ^^


.38 S&W specs:

Bullet diameter
.361 in (9.2 mm)

Neck diameter
.3855 in (9.79 mm)

Base diameter
.3865 in (9.82 mm)

Rim diameter
.440 in (11.2 mm)

Rim thickness
.055 in (1.4 mm)

Case length
.775 in (19.7 mm)

Overall length
1.240 in (31.5 mm


.38 Special specs:

Bullet diameter
.357 in (9.1 mm)

Neck diameter
.379 in (9.6 mm)

Base diameter
.379 in (9.6 mm)

Rim diameter
.44 in (11 mm)

Rim thickness
.058 in (1.5 mm)

Case length
1.155 in (29.3 mm)

Overall length
1.55 in (39 mm


Buy a case trimmer and get to reloading....

Currently only a few companies still manufacture ammunition. The majority that do offer it in only a 145 grain Lead Round Nose bullet, though Fiocchi still markets FMJ rounds. Some companies such as Buffalo Bore manufacture self-defense or hunting variants (https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=350)
Click to expand...
I'm after some ready to go ammo, but I am considering getting into reloading. Considering what I have to do to get ammo for this gun, I just may have to dump however many dollars into a reloading set. But if I reload .38 smith and wesson, I'd want to reload it to .38/200 specs which means lead melter and bullet cast, which means more $$$

Good bye wallet, hello ichiban noodles.

Arloashean said:
Ellwood Epps has a supply of 38S&W
Click to expand...
All well and good but I'm in Edmonton AB. Red Deer is a long drive and Ontario would just be way to far out. Unless they ship at a decent rate, in which case I'd be in.
 
You can find 38 s&w if you call around or web search and have a few boxes mailed to you. It's not a common caliber any more but not exactly rare either. You can trim 38 brass as stated or you could probably purchase new brass from one of the supporters here. No chance that you could rechamber for 40, to quote the Mr Scott "She kinna take the pressure captain, she's gonna blow!!"

You should be able to find the proper 200 grain bullet on line, but they shoot ok with the standard 160 gn loading, just print a bit low.
 
Ammunition, as mentioned, is available at times and at different spots. Reloading is the way to go. As an example, I picked up 50 cases off the range the other week, which should be good for shooting for several years.
While recommended to cut down .38 Special cases, I do not recommend this. .38 Special cases are smaller in diameter than .38 S&W. You may get away with cases bulging to fit the chamber, or you might not.
 
Visit some gun shows....you might find some loaded ammo there.
If you are wedded to this gun, and want to get good results then buy 1000 rounds of new Starline 38S&W brass. Go to the Lee precision site and buy a 38S&W mould. Even if you don't want to cast yourself there are plenty of casters who will make the right bullet for your gun. Again, at the Lee site just buy a simple reloading press and construct your own....
 
I attended the Shooters Rendezvous Gun Show in Sprucedale looking for some for reloading but did not see any this year. Other years not looking for 38 S&W it was everywhere. Al Simmons in Hamilton had a lot a couple of weeks ago and I had seen some at Lebaron’s in Mississauga years ago.
 
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