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.38 Special

This article is about the firearms cartridge. For other uses, see 38 Special (disambiguation).
.38 Special
.38 Special cartridge
TypeRevolver
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerSmith & Wesson
Designed1898
ManufacturerSmith & Wesson
Produced1898–present
Variants.38 Special +P
Specifications
Parent case.38 Long Colt
Case typeRimmed, straight
Bullet diameter.357 in (9.1 mm)
Land diameter.346 in (8.8 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 length1.155 in (29.3 mm)
Overall length1.550 in (39.4 mm)
Case capacity23.4 gr H2O (1.52 cm3)
Primer typeSmall pistol
Maximum pressure (CIP)22,000 psi (150 MPa)
Maximum pressure (SAAMI)17,500 psi (121 MPa)
Maximum CUP15,000 CUP
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
8.4 g (130 gr) FMJ 800 ft/s (240 m/s) 185 ft⋅lbf (251 J)
10.24 g (158 gr) LRN 755 ft/s (230 m/s) 200 ft⋅lbf (270 J)
8.1 g (125 gr) Underwood FMJ +P 1,000 ft/s (300 m/s) 278 ft⋅lbf (377 J)
10.24 g (158 gr) Grizzly JHP +P 975 ft/s (297 m/s) 333 ft⋅lbf (451 J)
6.48 g (100 gr) Cor-bon PB +P 1,150 ft/s (350 m/s) 294 ft⋅lbf (399 J)
Test barrel length: 4 in (vented)
Source(s): [1][2][3][4][5]

The .38 Special, also commonly known as .38 S&W Special (not to be confused with .38 S&W), .38 Smith & Wesson Special, .38 Spl, .38 Spc (pronounced "thirty-eight special"), or 9x29mmR is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge designed by Smith & Wesson.

The .38 Special was the standard service cartridge for the majority of United States police departments from the 1920s to the 1990s. It was also a common sidearm cartridge used by United States military personnel in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. In other parts of the world, it is known by its metric designation of 9×29.5mmR[6] or 9.1×29mmR.[7]

Known for its accuracy and manageable recoil, the .38 Special remains one of the most popular revolver cartridges in the world[8] more than a century after its introduction. It is used for recreational target shooting, formal target competition, personal defense, and small-game hunting.

  1. ^ "Federal Cartridge Co. ballistics page". Archived from the original on 22 June 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  2. ^ "SAAMI Pressures". Archived from the original on 9 June 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  3. ^ "SAAMI Pressures". Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  4. ^ "Load Data << Accurate Powders". Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  5. ^ "Cartridge Loading Data – Hodgdon". Archived from the original on 11 November 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  6. ^ Hogg, Ian (1989). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1989–90, 15th Edition. Jane's Information Group. p. 514. ISBN 978-0-7106-0889-5.
  7. ^ Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009–2010. Jane's Information Group. p. 621. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  8. ^ "What are the most popular calibers in the US? - Knowledge Glue". Knowledge Glue. 14 September 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2018.

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