Revolver .357 vs .38special vs .38

[Catoperat]

My finacee recently received her LTC-A /No Restrictions. The deal was, she gets the license, I buy 1/2 her first gun . She picked out a very nice S&W 686 plus in .357 (i'm sure we'll all see pictures soon ) from First Defense.

My question:
I know you can shoot .357 ammo out of it, but what is the difference between .38 and .38 special other than cartridge length? Can you shoot either out of it or just the .38 special?

I'm a little confused.

Thanks for any input!

 

[mikem317]

"Because the .38 Special also works in .357 revolvers, it is popular with users of the .357 for the reduced recoil, lower noise, and lower cost."

See more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_Special

 

[Catoperat]

"Because the .38 Special also works in .357 revolvers, it is popular with users of the .357 for the reduced recoil, lower noise, and lower cost."

See more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_Special

Thanks for the quick response!

 

[MA_Shooter]

I haven't had much luck finding .357 mag lately so usually shoot .38 spcl, but they're certainly not as much fun!

Enjoy.

-MS

 

[News Shooter]

You can shoot 38 special in a .357 but NOT the other way around

 

[Beansie_Time]

Are you asking if you can also shoot other types of .38 besides .357 magnum and .38 special? Like .38 s&w or .38 colt ?

 

[Catoperat]

Are you asking if you can also shoot other types of .38 besides .357 magnum and .38 special? Like .38 s&w or .38 colt ?

Yah, that is part of the question also.

Thanks!

 

[Beansie_Time]

I'm pretty sure you cannot shoot other types of .38 but one of the more knowledgeable folks will be by soon to confirm or deny.

 

[appraiser]

for as long as I have owned S&W K frame magnum revolvers, I have been told it is .357Mag or .38spl only, or variants of .38spl such as .38spl+p

(so you can't shoot .380. .357Sig, .38 super. etc etc etc)

 

[Catoperat]

(so you can't shoot .380. .357Sig, .38 super. etc etc etc)

That's what I needed to know.

Thank You!

 

[Beansie_Time]

Does anyone know if other .38 caliber revolver cartridges are ok? like .38 S&W etc.

 

[Supermoto]

you can shoot .38 short Colt or .38 Long colt in them

.38s&w uses a slightly wider case and is not recommended

 

[Jose]

(so you can't shoot .380. .357Sig, .38 super. etc etc etc)

They won't even chamber...........

 

[appraiser]

They won't even chamber...........

true, but if he knows that he can't shoot it, A)he won't buy it and find it out the hard expensive way that it won't work or B) get out the "ford wrench" and try to beat it into the cylinder finding out the hard and expensive way that it won't work!

 

[Supermoto]

They won't even chamber...........

.38 ACP and Super will chamber

 

[ochmude]

They won't even chamber...........

Uhhhh, yes they will. You probably never even tried.....

 

[colt_fan]

From our very own EddieCoyle, check out his explanation.

http://www.vintagepistols.com/357_vs_38.html

 

[appraiser]

Uhhhh, yes they will. You probably never even tried.....

I see you own a "ford wrench" too.

I have one whole drawer in my lower tool box filled with various sizes of them

 

[Brin747]

My neighbors wife shoots .38 short Colts out of her 642 for practice.

 

[EddieCoyle]

My neighbors wife shoots .38 short Colts out of her 642 for practice.

Seems like an expensive way to practice.

 

[Brin747]

That's what I though too. Not to mention that it's not very realistic as she carries +P loads. I'd rather practice with something a lot closer to my carry load.

 

[Chris]

She's going to be in for "a big surprise" when she finally does touch off those +P rounds. A snubbie isn't the most comfortable gun with a self defense load, and discovering that in the heat of the moment isn't the best idea.

 

[seanc]

.38 ACP and Super will chamber

Huh??
38 super is a long 9mm ( I think it measures about 9*20-ish). It is for autos. I don't see any way you'd be able to use this in any revolver, unless it were specifically set up to use moon clips.

It also take a 9mm bullett (IIRC it is a .355) IIRC the 38/357 is appx .356.

The simple answer would be, to just don't do it..

 

[EddieCoyle]

Huh??
38 super is a long 9mm ( I think it measures about 9*20-ish). It is for autos. I don't see any way you'd be able to use this in any revolver, unless it were specifically set up to use moon clips.

It also take a 9mm bullett (IIRC it is a .355) IIRC the 38/357 is appx .356.

The simple answer would be, to just don't do it..

He didn't say to shoot them, but they will chamber - even without moonclips. Both the .38 Super and the .38 ACP are semi -rimmed cases.

BUT I REPEAT - DON'T try shooting them out of a .38/.357!

 

[jhblaze1]

From our very own EddieCoyle, check out his explanation.

http://www.vintagepistols.com/357_vs_38.html

Ok, EC is too funny:

The S&W company presented the first Registered Magnum revolver to FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover, who promptly went out to find a holster that would match his favorite pink satin cocktail dress.

My colleagues are looking at me like I have two heads due to my laughing outburst.

 

[John2]

After shooting 38spl, be sure to clean your cylinder before going to 357 Mag. The shorter rounds will leave a ring, making it difficult to chamber the longer 357. Just a thought.