.38 clarification

[Gravey]

Can someone explain the difference to me between a .38, 38 special, and .38 + P? Which ones can shoot the other one's bullets and which ones cannot?

Thanks!

 

[Model70Man]

I would assume that the 38 and the 38 special are the same. The 38 +P is just hotter. You can shoot all of them out of the same gun if I'm not mistaken.

 

[.45 COLT]

There's a lot of different .38s. Some are the .38 Short Colt, .38 Long Colt, .38 Super, .38 S&W, and, the most common, the .38 S&W Special or just .38 Special. The +P loads should only be fired from guns that are +P rated. The higher pressure will cause some weaker .38s to loosen up considerably.

DC

 

[Tnyoteboy]

Correct

 

[Gravey]

Thanks guys. That clears it up and simplifies it.

 

[Eric T.]

The +P loads should only be fired from guns that are +P rated. The higher pressure will cause some weaker .38s to loosen up considerably.

DC

That means only use them in pistols made by Ruger.

 

[Kimberman]

The +P loads should only be fired from guns that are +P rated. The higher pressure will cause some weaker .38s to loosen up considerably.

DC

That means only use them in pistols made by Ruger.

Thats funny, my S&W that is rated for +p has been shooting +ps for years with no problems. It also weighs half as much as the comparable Ruger!

 

[.45 COLT]

Some Smiths will handle the .38+P. The first (I think) was the S&W 38-44, a .38 Special built on a .44 frame. Others will take it too.

Rugers are about the only revolver that can handle high-pressure .45 Colt loads.

DC

 

[Eric T.]

I'll just say this:
My Hornady load manual has several instances where they have load data for Ruger/TC Contender only and then another page for all others.

 

[Hogbear]

My S&W 342 is +P rated and it weighs 11 ounces. It stings the crap out of my hand to shoot +P's in it, but it works just fine.