AskBiography Logo   Latest News  Follow Us on Twitter  Follow Us on Google Buzz  Became Fan - Facebook  Subscribe to RSSRSS   Bookmark and Share

.38 Special

38 Special
.38 Special rounds
Name.38 Special
Caption.38 Special rounds
OriginUnited States
TypeRevolver
DesignerSmith & Wesson
Design Date1902
Parent.38 Long Colt
Case TypeRimmed, straight
Bullet.357
Neck.379
Base.379
Rim Dia.44
Rim Thick.058
Case Length1.155
Length1.55
PrimerSmall pistol
Bw1110
Btype1JHP
Vel1980
En1235
Bw2130
Btype2FMJ
Vel2810
En2189
Bw3148
Btype3LWC
Vel3690
En3156
Bw4158
Btype4LRN
Vel4770
En4208
Test Barrel Length4 in (vented)

     Home | Firearm Cartridge | 38 Special





The .38 Smith & Wesson Special (commonly .38 Special, .38 Spl, or .38 Spc, pronounced "thirty-eight special") is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge designed by Smith & Wesson. It is most commonly used in revolvers, although some semi-automatic pistols and carbines also use this round. The .38 Special was the standard service cartridge of most police departments in the United States from the 1920s to the early 1990s, and was also a common sidearm cartridge used by soldiers in World War One. In other parts of the world, particularly Europe, it is known by its metric designation 9×29mmR.

38 Special Video

Music video by 38 Special performing Caught Up In You. (C) 1982 A&M Records
3.93 min. | 4.98 user rating		 Southern Rock Video
4.32 min. | 4.88 user rating		 Music video by 38 Special performing Hold On Loosely. (C) 1981 A&M Records
4.63 min. | 4.98 user rating		 Music video by 38 Special performing Second Chance. (C) 1989 A&M Records
4.50 min. | 4.95 user rating		 I like the autos for many reasons but the revolver still has much to offer the police officer or armed citizen: proven reliability, simplicity, and ease of use. For those unfamiliar with guns and some women, a quality revolver is generally an ideal gun. Here I do a "combat" review of a Smith and Wesson Model "Centennial" 642CT lightweight revolver in .38 Special +P chambering. It's an outstanding choice for concealed carry, backup gun, or in-house security. It's amazingly feathery at only 15.5 oz and as such beats many semi-auto handguns in that department. Other upsides include a full stainless steel barrel (no composite or liner construction here), beautiful matte finished, tough aluminum frame, superb quality throughout, tight lockup, wonderful trigger, excellent grips, and the typically fast S&W cylinder latch. This 642 model also feature very comfortable and very useful Crimson Trace laser grips which add a measure of proven deterrence against bad guys (better to never have to fire a shot I say). Downsides might include very limited firepower at 5 rounds, high cost ($550-ish!), bulkier width for concealment, bad sights (they are horrible), need for bulky speed loaders, and inability to fire single action in this Centennial version. In lightweight revolvers, I prefer the shrouded but accessible hammer on the S&W "Bodyguard" 638 Model, just in case you have to make a longer range accurate shot. But this of course is no target gun...intended for self-defense within <b>...</b>
10.08 min. | 4.69 user rating
If you can manage the recoil, you will love it. Weighing only 11.4 oz with its titanium cylinder and scandium frame, the little S&W Model 360 M&P is a joy to carry on a daily basis. Both officers and civilian "sheepdogs" give glowing reports on how comfortable the gun is to tote around. In my "Mobility vs Firepower" philosophy vids (www.youtube.com the 360 personifies the option of Mobility and the attendant security of always having something to answer a lethal force encounter. But as with all lightweight full-size caliber guns, there are several pricetags for this portability and comfort in carry. First off, it's downright expensive... about double the price of similar lightweight revolvers like Taurus offerings. Secondly, its recoil is stout especially with .357 Magnum or .38 Special +P loads. Get ready to man up shooting this gun... it is not pleasant. But with some practice and good technique it is manageable and this is a gun designed for carry and not plinking. Thirdly, this little revolver has very limited firepower at just five rounds. Just about every semi-auto option will beat that and they will offer greater slimness in carry (as shown). You'll have to take some speed loaders with you and even then you better make your shots count. Understand these limitations, train for them, and you find the 360 to be an outstanding backup piece or primary lightweight carry option. With its super quality fit and finish, high viz fiber optic sights (on this model, Tritium dot <b>...</b>
20.82 min. | 4.83 user rating		 Video Reportagem sobre a rotina diaria da ROTA Policia Militar de São Paulo, treinamentos, armas e etc, ripado do sbt reporter. Armas utilizadas: Taurus PT100 .40, taurus PT24/7 oss tactical .40, taurus Famae Mt40 .40 s&w Carabina Pump cbc 12 gauge, taurus revolver .38 special, treinamento rota. parte 1
7.48 min. | 4.68 user rating		 Smith and Wesson Model 14 .38 special, shot was a bit high filmed by me, .38 shot by me
0.10 min. | 2.59 user rating		 Smith and Wesson .38 Special hand-loading is done by first opening the cylinder. See how to load a S&W 642 .38 Special handgun in this free video on safe handgun use. Expert: Jeff Brewer Bio: Jeff Brewer has been the owner of Patriot Firearms for over 12 years. He sells, demonstrates and explains to customers daily the use of the many different kinds of firearms. Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz
1.43 min. | 3.47 user rating		 This is just the song and a picture of the band. Lately I'm learnin That so many yearnings are never to be The childhood illusions are merely delusions of a girl that I see In my minds eye I see clearly a vision of how it could be Me and my fantasy girl Hold on to me Be my fantasy...
4.10 min. | 4.93 user rating

Latest News : 38 Special : Tweet this RSS

Want to 38 Special latest news on your twitter account???   sign in with twitter
38 Special     sign in with twitter   ||  Firearm_Cartridge     sign in with twitter   ||  Other     sign in with twitter
The Charlie Daniels Band and 38 Special to Inaugurate Fairgrounds' New ... - ReadMedia (press release) Tweet this news
ReadMedia (press release)--by Iowa State Fair DES MOINES, IA (10/19/2010)(readMedia)-- The Charlie Daniels Band and -38 Special- will headline the first-ever non-Fair concert Friday, ... - Date : Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:40:52 GMT+00:00
Winchester Ammunition Introduces New Ranger Bonded .38 Special +P - AmmoLand.com (press release) Tweet this news
AmmoLand.com (press release)--East Alton, IL - (AmmoLand.com)- Wincheste Ammunition’s new Ranger Bonded .-38 Special- +P round offers a great, new option for all law enforcement ... - Date : Wed, 13 Oct 2010 20:12:24 GMT+00:00
Notorious Bank Robber Sentenced - FOX Charlotte Tweet this news
FOX Charlotte--Terrelonge had a loaded .-38 special- revolver in his waistband and was wearing a bulletproof vest. involvement in a number of area armed bank robberies from ... - Date : Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:29:14 GMT+00:00
Mark Your Calendar: October 21 - DesMoinesRegister.com Tweet this news
DesMoinesRegister.com--The Charlie Daniels Band and .-38 Special- are playing Jacobson Exhibition Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Nov. 12. The concert marks the first ... - Date : Thu, 21 Oct 2010 09:09:39 GMT+00:00

.38 Comparisons
Cartridge Bullet weight Muzzle velocity Muzzle energy Max pressure
.38 Short Colt 135 gr (8.7 g) 777 ft/s (236.8 m/s) 181 ft·lbf (245 J) 7,500 CUP
.38 Long Colt 150 gr (9.7 g) 777 ft/s (236.8 m/s) 201 ft·lbf (273 J) 12,000 CUP
.38 S&W 158 gr (10.2 g) 767 ft/s (233.8 m/s) 206 ft·lbf (279 J) 14,500 PSI
.38 S&W Special 158 gr (10.2 g) 940 ft/s (286.5 m/s) 310 ft·lbf (420 J) 17,000 PSI
.38 Special +P 158 gr (10.2 g) 1000 ft/s (304.8 m/s) 351 ft·lbf (476 J) 20,000 PSI
.38 Special +P+ 110 gr (7.1 g) 1100 ft/s (335.3 m/s) 295 ft·lbf (400 J) >20,000 PSI
.380 ACP 100 gr (6.5 g) 895 ft/s (272.8 m/s) 178 ft·lbf (241 J) 21,500 PSI
9x19mm Parabellum 115 gr (7.5 g) 1300 ft/s (396.2 m/s) 420 ft·lbf (570 J) 39,200 PSI
9x19mm Parabellum 124 gr (8 g) 1180 ft/s (359.7 m/s) 383 ft·lbf (520 J) 39,200 PSI
9x18mm Makarov 95 gr (6.2 g) 1050 ft/s (320 m/s) 231 ft·lbf (313 J) 23,206 PSI
.38 Super 130 gr (8.4 g) 1275 ft/s (388.6 m/s) 468 ft·lbf (634 J) 36,500 PSI
.357 Magnum 158 gr (10.2 g) 1349 ft/s (411.2 m/s) 639 ft·lbf (866 J) 35,000 PSI
.357 SIG 125 gr (8.1 g) 1350 ft/s (411.5 m/s) 506 ft·lbf (686 J) 40,000 PSI

US infantry weapons of World War I

Side armsM1911 pistol * M1917 revolver * M1909 revolver
RiflesM1903 Springfield (Pedersen Device) * M1917 Enfield
Automatic riflesChauchat * M1918 BAR
GrenadesF1 * Mills bomb * Mk 1 * Mk 2
ShotgunsWinchester Model 1897 * Winchester Model 1912
Machine guns and largerM1895 Colt-Browning * M1909 Benet-Mercie * Lewis Gun * M1914 Hotchkiss * M1917 Browning
Cartridges.45 ACP * .38 Special * .30-06 Springfield

U.S. infantry weapons of World War II and Korea

Side armsM1911/M1911A1 pistol * M1917 revolver * Smith & Wesson "Victory" revolver
Rifles and carbinesM1903 Springfield * M1 Garand * M1 carbine * M1941 Johnson Rifle * M1918 BAR
Submachine gunsM1928/M1928A1/M1/M1A1 Thompson * M3/M3A1 'Grease gun' * Reising M50/M55 * United Defense M42
GrenadesMk 2
ShotgunsWinchester Model 1897 * Ithaca M37 * Winchester Model 1912
Machine guns and largerM1917 Browning * M1919 Browning * M1941 Johnson LMG * M2 Browning * Bazooka * M2 flamethrower
Cartridges.45 ACP * .38 Special * .30-06 Springfield * .30 Carbine * .50 BMG

.38 caliber firearms

Cartridges.38 Long Colt (1875) * .38 S&W (1877) * .38 ACP (1900) * .38 Special (1902) * .380 ACP (1908) * .38/200 (1922) * .38 Super (1927)
RevolversM1899 Revolver * Smith & Wesson M&P/Victory * Webley Mk IV * Enfield No. 2 Mk I * Colt Detective Special
PistolsColt M1900 * Colt M1902 * Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer * Colt M1908 Pocket Hammerless * Browning M1910 * Walther PPK * HK 4



Privacy | Sitemap | Micra Hosting