Anybody still shooting 38 S&W, not Special.

[Shootist]

Here you go a S&W Model 2 in .38 S&W, Break Top, 5 shot, single action no trigger guard, fully functional.

 

[Eagle Eye]

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

Yes indeed they did , only you must've meant *semi wads . Full wad cutters are identical on both ends . The Semi wads turned backwards , had no advantage , as they stll had the flat side now leading out front . I know kind of confusing even to me

 

[Eagle Eye]

View attachment 505278
Here you go a S&W Model 2 in .38 S&W, Break Top, 5 shot, single action no trigger guard, fully functional.

Yep , now that one is definitely the early type , open trigger . Good representation

 

[Eagle Eye]

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.

Interesting ! I don't think I ever saw a top break and hammerless also . Mine is a nickel 38 S&W break top , auto eject but with full hammer as shown in post # 21 .

 

[Eagle Eye]

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

Yes absolutely not strong enough to handle anything even close to those pressures . Remember the metallurgy wasn't even close to the later models and integral strength .

 

[Eagle Eye]

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.

Agreed , I like to use a bit lower velocity powder in my 1930's handguns . My .32 S&W handgun is also double action and a stronger construction due to design . When I get my
camera working again I'll load a few pic's of them .I would strongly suggest to load with caution in any of these older guns .

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

I do have an h&r Athena 22 short. +120 years old, still goes pew!!

 

[big jon]

Yes indeed they did , only you must've meant *semi wads . Full wad cutters are identical on both ends . The Semi wads turned backwards , had no advantage , as they stll had the flat side now leading out front . I know kind of confusing even to me

not so much confused just not adding all th details you of course are correct we also used to cut an X on lead nose bullets

 

[Patriot1776]

Never heard of 200gr .38 s&w curious to how it compares with the 145gr lead nose rounds i have. Another caliber i enjoy is the .32 s&w long round shoots like a dream

 

[big jon]

those old rounds and even 380 are fine for plinking and such but they are not powerful enough for dependable self defense .25 is also not very good ,to slow and low velocity .22 would be a better choice unless you go to a magnum 32 or other special built round .No I dont want to get shot with one and they can kill but penetration and survival rates are to low used to be it was the best you could get better than a rock

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

those old rounds and even 380 are fine for plinking and such but they are not powerful enough for dependable self defense .25 is also not very good ,to slow and low velocity .22 would be a better choice unless you go to a magnum 32 or other special built round .No I dont want to get shot with one and they can kill but penetration and survival rates are to low used to be it was the best you could get better than a rock

From reading * the internet * a 160 gr lrn 724 fps. ( a bit * warm) 16 inchs in gel thru 4 denim, ended backwards. 1.5 inch sw. Dosent sound too anemic to me?? I'd carry it.
I think the poly rounds might be the "E" ticket ride in one of these old "obsolete" guns.

 

[Patriot1776]

those old rounds and even 380 are fine for plinking and such but they are not powerful enough for dependable self defense .25 is also not very good ,to slow and low velocity .22 would be a better choice unless you go to a magnum 32 or other special built round .No I dont want to get shot with one and they can kill but penetration and survival rates are to low used to be it was the best you could get better than a rock

Well like I stated before it's a yard snake / chair gun to me. That's why I choose the .327 federal magnum if I'm going carry a revolver for self defense.

 

[Patriot1776]

From reading * the internet * a 160 gr lrn 724 fps. ( a bit * warm) 16 inchs in gel thru 4 denim, ended backwards. 1.5 inch sw. Dosent sound too anemic to me?? I'd carry it.
I think the poly rounds might be the "E" ticket ride in one of these old "obsolete" guns.

I think it deffently work if it was all you had or could get too at that moment. But 16" that better then some rounds we got today. If you find some testing on 145gr please post, would like see what it traveling at sir.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

Need to do more reading on the poly rds, don't know what caliber would fit and what kind of pressure they make? Would probably be faster.

 

[Recondo 101]

My roommate in the 101st carried a Model 10 in 38 S&W with a 2" bbl. He preferred the 38 S&W VS the 38 Spl. He was a professional shooter from Chicago with four custom suits hanging, made for the horizontal carry shoulder holster. We used to get into shoot offs, cans on a log, speed , from both ends to the middle, third person shoots in the air, he could keep up with me with I using double 1911s in shoulder rigs and I was pretty quick. The 10 in an 38 S&W are fast handling, in double action, in close contact. Very good house gun, big heavy bullet at low velocity for very fast follow up shots that are accurate.
Nothing like shooting against one in a speed contest to see how quick they really are or can be. All fairness, I have never owned one, simply because I reload and can make up anything I may need in 38, 357, 40, 45, etc.
Were I to reload for one I would use the 200s with WST for a push recoil.