Anybody still shooting 38 S&W, not Special.

[Rebel_Rider1969]

Get bored on the ship and often read about guns and calibers.
Been reading about the old 38 S&W. Strange that it's gone, no new production guns in 50? Years. Is it that bad of a caliber? Looks ok to me on paper.
I did notice no hp bullets around. Probably because it's a slow mover about 600 fps. Shoots a 200gr wadcutter pretty well seems like. Penatrates well too.
Seems like it's on par with 380.

Some good reading.

https://gunsmagazine.com/ammo/the-other-38/

 

[Rockola2004]

Get bored on the ship and often read about guns and calibers.
Been reading about the old 38 S&W. Strange that it's gone, no new production guns in 50? Years. Is it that bad of a caliber? Looks ok to me on paper.
I did notice no hp bullets around. Probably because it's a slow mover about 600 fps. Shoots a 200gr wadcutter pretty well seems like. Penatrates well too.
Seems like it's on par with 380.

Some good reading.

https://gunsmagazine.com/ammo/the-other-38/

I sometimes carry my late mother’s old Iver Johnson snubbie in 38 s&w. I’ve only fired it a few times. Not very accurate of course but it’s dependable within 10-15 yards. And, a friend gave me a bunch of ammo for it a while back that he mistakenly got for 38 special so that was a plus.

 

[Eagle Eye]

Get bored on the ship and often read about guns and calibers.
Been reading about the old 38 S&W. Strange that it's gone, no new production guns in 50? Years. Is it that bad of a caliber? Looks ok to me on paper.
I did notice no hp bullets around. Probably because it's a slow mover about 600 fps. Shoots a 200gr wadcutter pretty well seems like. Penatrates well too.
Seems like it's on par with 380.

Some good reading.

https://gunsmagazine.com/ammo/the-other-38/

Yes it's alive here , inside my man cave - The military WWII ones shoot the 200 gr
bullets . I have both the auto eject and Usa made Brit one . Mine shoots 148 soft lead double wad cutters , with a very light Smokeless load . Certain stamps delineate the black powder from the smokeless powder . Warnings abound about the difference in them.. Speaking of which I just went through my on hand .38 S&W brass .

 

[Patriot1776]

Here my .38 smith & wesson, made my us revolver co. Picked up for $125 from the pawn shop 8 or 9 years ago. She little old now but still does here job. As you can see she a little rusty lol. Sweet shooter kicks like 22magnum in my opinion. Thought I was only one that still shot. 38 s&w.

 

[Viper0hr]

I have a nice Pre Victory Arm marked S&W that shoots 38 S&W. Lore is it's from the Desert Campaign in WWII.
Guy I got it from gave me a handful of 38 S&W with it, never fired it though.

Traded a like new modern Tarus 5 shot 38 pocket revolver for it. Think it was a model 856.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

I've got my grandpa's iver johnson cycle and buggy works revolver. Probably haven't shot it in 40 years, lol.
6 inch railroad gun picked up during probation for $2. Has RR stamped holster.
Need to get it out when I get home.

 

[Patriot1776]

I think there a good yard/ snake gun, all I have used it for. Wouldn't use it for self defense unless it's all I had. Plus got do some sourcing to find ammo. Like viper I have one box of 50.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

Was thinking a 9mm bullet might work in the old 38? A way to get a hp bullet, but they may not open due to the lower speed.
In lieu of that a wadcutter would work. My father used wad cutters to hunt deer with a 44 black hawk and it wrecked them.

 

[Patriot1776]

Was thinking a 9mm bullet might work in the old 38? A way to get a hp bullet, but they may not open due to the lower speed.
In lieu of that a wadcutter would work. My father used wad cutters to hunt deer with a 44 black hawk and it wrecked them.

If you can get some lead .38 s&w rounds, you could probably make some hollow points out those bullets maybe. All I have used is lead nose .38 s&w rounds never had wadcutters be interesting to see if there were any difference.

 

[rossi]

Get bored on the ship and often read about guns and calibers.
Been reading about the old 38 S&W. Strange that it's gone, no new production guns in 50? Years. Is it that bad of a caliber? Looks ok to me on paper.
I did notice no hp bullets around. Probably because it's a slow mover about 600 fps. Shoots a 200gr wadcutter pretty well seems like. Penatrates well too.
Seems like it's on par with 380.

Some good reading.

https://gunsmagazine.com/ammo/the-other-38/

200gr Lead Bullet @ 600 FPS......OUCH!

 

[Eagle Eye]

Was thinking a 9mm bullet might work in the old 38? A way to get a hp bullet, but they may not open due to the lower speed.
In lieu of that a wadcutter would work. My father used wad cutters to hunt deer with a 44 black hawk and it wrecked them.

I think the diameter of the 38 S&W is .360 - The 9mm is .355 , shouldn't work or fit as it's somewhat smaller in diameter . It would rattle around in chamber / forcing cone and the
L&G's .

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

I think the diameter of the 38 S&W is .360 - The 9mm is .355 , shouldn't work or fit as it's somewhat smaller in diameter . It would rattle around in chamber / forcing cone and the
L&G's .

Well there goes that idea. Good to know.

 

[DixieReb]

I think I’ve got an old 38 S&W stashed somewhere, will have to look for it…

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

I think I’ve got an old 38 S&W stashed somewhere, will have to look for it…

From my reading the really old ones use black powder. If attacked you can pop smoke and run!

 

[Eagle Eye]

I think I’ve got an old 38 S&W stashed somewhere, will have to look for it…

You sound just like me , as I have them in different places here . On top of that I found a few I had forgotten about even buying years ago

 

[Eagle Eye]

From my reading the really old ones use black powder. If attacked you can pop smoke and run!

That is correct , especially back in the 30's . I have a few , and the age usually indicates
the construction of the gun , light duty and such . Although B.P. is not even close to being
stable , as smokeless is much safer . All situations considered

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

I enjoy the old stuff. Looking at a 32 sw revolver, top break, hammerless. I really like the top break stuff. Don't know why they still don't make em. The old S&W some had a grip safety, pretty cool.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

That is correct , especially back in the 30's . I have a few , and the age usually indicates
the construction of the gun , light duty and such . Although B.P. is not even close to being
stable , as smokeless is much safer . All situations considered

Wooo. There's alot going on with these older guns, Re, black powder vs modern powder. Now seeing possible issue with air space in the cartridge causing problems as well. FFFG black powder might be the best route or maybe the modern fffg powder. Looks like lots of reading is required.

 

[.22 cents]

I enjoy the old stuff. Looking at a 32 sw revolver, top break, hammerless. I really like the top break stuff. Don't know why they still don't make em. The old S&W some had a grip safety, pretty cool.

Im guessing break opens dont have the strength and structural rigidity to handle the +p or magnum loads today as solid frames with top straps. Even then, companies like S&W “waaaaa .357 too strong. It break our guns” Break opens have little chance

 

[big jon]

Ive heard the old timers loaded wad cutters backwards to make it more lethal before and around the time the special came out