
357 Magnum since it has more stopping power. But if you’re looking for a more effective self-defense cartridge, you’d be better off with a. 38 Special hollow-point packaged at higher pressure and velocities. Some gun users experienced more expansion and stopping power with the FBI Load, a. It’s also very popular for its impressive accuracy and manageable recoil. It doesn’t expand like most smoke-less powder cartridges, but it’s still effective. For instance, a 158 gr bullet travels at 940 fps. This explains the relatively low pressures and slower muzzle velocities. 38 Special was originally packaged with black powder. That’s is because the Magnum comes at very high pressures. That’s why it’s one of the most versatile cartridges for revolvers. 38s?Īs mentioned earlier, the main difference is the case length, and maybe higher pressures than the other. How Does A 38 Special Differ From The Other. It has an even longer case, higher pressures, and excellent stopping power. 38 refers to the diameter of the whole case. During the Philippine-American War, the United States Military realized that the Long Colt didn’t have enough stopping power against the Morro Warriors.Įven though it’s referred to as a. 38 Special came as an improvement to the. 38 Special is also referred to as a 9.1*29mmR or 9*29.5mmR in other parts of the world. It was also the standard round in the US police departments between the 1920s and 1990s.Īnd it was also used in the sidearm handguns by the US Military in WW1, WW2, Vietnam War, and the Korean War. It’s a rimmed centerfire cartridge that was introduced by Smith &Wesson in 1898. 38 Special is one of the most popular ammunition for revolvers, but it’s also used in carbines and semi-automatic pistols. 38 special is relatively similar to other. 361 inches 0.780 inches Rimmed 158 gr (10 g) L SWC – 767 ft/sīased on the table, the. Cartridge Bullet Diameter Case Length Type Muzzle Velocity. 38 cartridges and how they compare to the. 38 Special – At A Glanceīelow are some of the most popular. Pretty confusing, right? Well, this article clears everything up for you.38 vs. It also has a longer case length compared to the other cartridges. So what exactly is the difference between a. The whole situation can be a little confusing. And several variants have appeared in the market, though some of them are becoming unpopular. 38 caliber has been around for a very long time.
