[Fiddlstix]

I never did learn what it was called a .357 instead of saying it’s a .38 magnum which would make a lot more sense.

[Inyo-Mono]

I never did learn what it was called a .357 instead of saying it’s a .38 magnum which would make a lot more sense.

It just sounds meaner. What is really confusing is the .357 .38 caliber bullet was developed from the larger .375 sized .36 caliber muzzle loading cap and ball round. When the first .38 cal cartridges were made in the early 1870s, they were used in cap and ball black powder pistols that were converted to cartridge but still had the cap and ball .375 barrel. The original cartridges had an outside lubed bullet as large as the cartridge case to fit the .375 barrel (similar to a modern .22).

Later, lubed bullets made in .357 were introduced to fit inside the cartridge case and new cartridge revolvers were made with .357 barrels to fit the cartridge.

[imardmd1]

It is simple. The brass which holds the 0.357" bullet is 0.375" O. D., and the chamber is then ~0.38". So the .38 is identified with the brass size.

Just measured mine. I have a Colt Commando Special, 6 rounds in the cylinder, same configuration as the Colt Detective Special.