Exploring the Power and Versatility of 38 Special Ammo

[Target Sports USA]

Any fans of 38 special?

Exploring the Power and Versatility of 38 Special Ammo - Target Sports USA

The 38 Special cartridge has earned a reputation for its reliability, versatility, and historical significance in the vast world of firearms and ammunition. Developed in the late 19th century, the 38 Special has stood the test of time and remains a popular choice among both law enforcement and...

blog.targetsportsusa.com

 

[Uncle Duke]

Any fans of 38 special?

Exploring the Power and Versatility of 38 Special Ammo - Target Sports USA

The 38 Special cartridge has earned a reputation for its reliability, versatility, and historical significance in the vast world of firearms and ammunition. Developed in the late 19th century, the 38 Special has stood the test of time and remains a popular choice among both law enforcement and...

blog.targetsportsusa.com

Yep! And 44 Special. And 45 Colt. And .357 and 41 and 44 Magnum.

Great rounds all.

 

[Arloe]

.38 Special is my favorite caliber, primarily based on its historic symbolism. Here, REM-UMC sealed .38 Sp. boxes are c. 1913 to 1916. Middle box of .38 Colt Sp. is black powder loading, which was the caliber's original powder. Colt would never give their competitor S&W any designation, so they simply truncated the original roundnose with a slightly flattened meplat and called it a .38 Colt Sp. (also .32 and .38 Colt New Police instead of .32 S&W Long and .38 S&W).

The "theme" or "message" of this symbolic display is the longevity of the caliber. Revolver is late 1970s M10 S&W with classic 6" pencil bbl.

 

[28Shooter]

I like to shoot .38 Special. Mistake a lot of the young bucks make is that the get an older Model 10 or similar fixed-sighted revolver and try to shoot 130 grain factory loads through them. They don't like them as they were regulated at the factory for 158 grain loads but will tolerate 148 grain wadcutters. Yeah, I remember when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and Mr. Ford invented his horseless carriage...

 

[imaoldcowhand]

I like .38 Spl and +P better than .357.
Yeah, old age and arthritis does make a difference.

I'm currently looking to trade my like new Taurus PT92 Compact w/ 4 magazines for an S&W M10 w/ heavy barrel.

Any takers?

 

[Arloe]

I like .38 Spl and +P better than .357.
Yeah, old age and arthritis does make a difference.

I'm currently looking to trade my like new Taurus PT92 Compact w/ 4 magazines for an S&W M10 w/ heavy barrel.

Any takers?

From Field and Stream a century ago, October 1923. This should exacerbate your desire for that M10!

 

[jr88]

I grew up on 38 special and still like to shoot it. The problem is it is over priced and the lack of 158g .

 

[imaoldcowhand]

From Field and Stream a century ago, October 1923. This should exacerbate your desire for that M10! View attachment 447805

Nice, but not my cup of tea.

 

[joppaj]

For several years, my Sp-101 was loaded with "FBI load" 158 gr LSWCHP. I eventually switched over to specific short barrel .357 mag loads. I still like .38 Spl very much and it's always the first centerfire revolver round that I use with a new shooter.

 

[Arloe]

Nice, but not my cup of tea.

I wasn't trying to change your mind from a heavy bbl. M10, just glorify the desirability of ANY S&W M&P revolver, now designated the M10.

 

[linkstate]

Like others, learned to shoot with a .38 special. A S&W model 10. Love the .38 special.

I also carry a J Frame with .38 special +P Gold Dots on a somewhat regular basis.

 

[imaoldcowhand]

I wasn't trying to change your mind from a heavy bbl. M10, just glorify the desirability of ANY S&W M&P revolver, now designated the M10.

Gotcha!

 

[Arloe]

Gotcha!

I'm new to this forum and am therefore unsure exactly how you "Gotcha" me, or even why you would try to do so. Nevertheless, I am happy to say "You win!"

 

[Art3]

So why can't we find 158 gr (LRN, SWC...whatever) readily available anymore? Where'd this 130 gr silliness come from and why is it (now) so ubiquitous?

 

[linkstate]

I'm new to this forum and am therefore unsure exactly how you "Gotcha" me, or even why you would try to do so. Nevertheless, I am happy to say "You win!"

I’m not cowhand but this may be a generational thing. Gotcha to me means: ah ok, got you now. Now I understand, etc. It’s not a negative phrase.

Maybe we need a pole or thread similar to “fair enough”.

 

[linkstate]

So why can't we find 158 gr (LRN, SWC...whatever) readily available anymore? Where'd this 130 gr silliness come from and why is it (now) so ubiquitous?

Great question.

 

[RFBfromDE]

At under $20/50 I am, yes!

 

[Uncle Duke]

I’m not cowhand but this may be a generational thing. Gotcha to me means: ah ok, got you now. Now I understand, etc. It’s not a negative phrase.

Maybe we need a pole or thread similar to “fair enough”.

Please God, no....

 

[Bob A]

I’m not cowhand but this may be a generational thing. Gotcha to me means: ah ok, got you now. Now I understand, etc. It’s not a negative phrase.

Maybe we need a pole or thread similar to “fair enough”.

Tender toes?

 

[Pale Ryder]

I like to shoot .38 Special. Mistake a lot of the young bucks make is that the get an older Model 10 or similar fixed-sighted revolver and try to shoot 130 grain factory loads through them. They don't like them as they were regulated at the factory for 158 grain loads but will tolerate 148 grain wadcutters. Yeah, I remember when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and Mr. Ford invented his horseless carriage...

Yes.
Everyone has the awful 130 grain FMJ, hard to find 148 WC or 158 SWC. Use to reload for it but don’t anymore.