Posted on 11/08/2020 8:46:49 AM PST by Mean Daddy
Just bought a S&W .38 Special and wondering if I can use .380 or .38 Super in it. Also, anyone have a good source for ammo? Thank you.
Your looking to loose a hand, or an eye. Don’t be dumb, a 38spec takes 38 rounds!!!
Damn, its going to be harder to buy any ammo now.
Thanks, I hadn’t heard about this site but will check it out.
As everyone before has said, no and no. .380ACP and .38 Super are both rimless cartridges and will simply not fit in the gun. Use ONLY .38 Special. If your owners manual says you can, some .38’s can use .38 “Plus P”. If the manual does not specifically state that you can use +P ammo, DON’T use it. Overpressure means possible destruction of the gun and injury to yourself and others around you. Get experienced help before you use the gun.
believe it is the other way around. You can shoot 38 special in a 357 magnum weapon. You cannot shoot 357 magnum in a weapon chambered for 38 special. The 357 cartridge is to long for the chamber
You won’t be able to close the cylinder of a .38 with .357s in the chambers.
Find a local gun range. They usually will have ammo in stock if you want to rent time on the range.
They will usually offer a gun safety course and will work with you on safe use of your new pistol. Take the gun safety course and consider anything else they offer.
To start, use target rounds. They will not be as powerful as a self-defense round. So, the pistol will not kick as much and will be easier to learn accuracy.
You may want to consider renting a .22 target pistol at the gun range and start with that. The skills you learn will transfer to the use of your .38 special revolver.
No, actually, unless it’s chambered for .357 Magnum the cartridge will not even fit. You won’t be able to close the cylinder and it will not go into battery.
The .38 super (and .25 and .32 ACP) are semi-rimmed cartridges. The rim diameter is slightly larger than the case, but they appear rimless to the naked eye. They still headspace off of the rim like a rimmed case. Rimless cartridges headspace off of the mouth of the case.
S&w 442 airweight, “I hated that gun”
LOL
I am waiting for all the first time gun buyers to sell all those new panic gun purchases, after they shoot them for the first time!
BANG! OW!
Lolololol there will be deals
just say NO! to Gunbroker too, its a rip off!
go to www.ammoseek.com
Look up your caliber, buy online, shipped to your door for WAY less
Similarly, semi-rimed and rimed cartridges head space on the case rim. While a .38 Special can be fired within a .357 Magnum with its bullet farther recessed without problems. The .38 Special pressure curve is much lower than that of the .38 Special.
SAAMI pressure for a .38 Special is 17,000 psi, while ,380 Auto is 21,500 psi and .38 Auto is 26,500 psi. Those other cartridges would be over pressure loads assuming you could get the cartridge to fit in the cylinder.
Sounds to me like you need a lot of help with firearms before you injure yourself or someone else. Seek help.
Are you serious with your question or are ya just goofin’ with us ‘Daddy?
I knew there were was some interchangeability with some a,,o (.357/.38) and didn’t want to assume any ammo in the .38 category would work.
FR is one of the best places for info save for a handful of smart asses.
No and no.
L
I was able to pick up a box of 50 at a decent price. Thank you.
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