« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: 38 s&w?  (Read 1484 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline GRIMJIM

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3002
  • Gender: Male
38 s&w?
« on: August 03, 2008, 06:42:31 PM »
I just inherited a 1912 colt and want to make sure I get the right ammo for it.

The barrel is stamped colt police positive 38.

Does this mean 38 s&w, 38 new police or something else?
Logged
GBO SENIOR MEMBER "IF THAT BALL COMES IN MY YARD I'M KEEPING IT!"

NRA LIFE MEMBER

UNION STEWARD CARPENTERS LOCAL 1027

IF GOD DIDN'T WANT US TO EAT ANIMALS, WHY DID HE MAKE THEM OUT OF MEAT?

Offline John Traveler

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1359
Re: 38 s&w?
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2008, 03:51:56 PM »
It is most likely .38 S&W Special.  For understandable reasons, manufacturers were (are) reluctant to help advertise for rivals.  Thus, Colt came out with the .38 Colt Special, which was exactly the same cartridge as, and interchangeable with, the .38 S&W Special, but with a flat tip bullet.

Try checking the depth of the chambers.  The .38 S&W case length was only 0.767", and the Special is much longer.

Try fitting some .38 Special fired cases into your chambers.  The .38 S&W is a shorter, fatter case, and also will not fit into a .38 S&W Special chamber.
Logged
John Traveler

Offline GRIMJIM

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3002
  • Gender: Male
Re: 38 s&w?
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2008, 04:12:40 PM »
I took it to a gun store in my area. The guy at the counter said it was 38 s&w, they did make a special but I believe it came out later than the model I have.
Logged
GBO SENIOR MEMBER "IF THAT BALL COMES IN MY YARD I'M KEEPING IT!"

NRA LIFE MEMBER

UNION STEWARD CARPENTERS LOCAL 1027

IF GOD DIDN'T WANT US TO EAT ANIMALS, WHY DID HE MAKE THEM OUT OF MEAT?

Offline LHunter

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Posts: 3
Re: 38 s&w?
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2008, 09:18:10 AM »
The 38 specials are usually stamped 38 S&W Special or 38 special. If it is only stamped 38 it is probably a 38 S&W. The 38 S&W is shorter than the 38 special and a couple of thousanths larger in diameter (.358 vs .360). Some of these had the chambers lengthened to accomodate the 38 special - with the larger diameter brass wears out quickly. If yours is a 38 special and chamber dimensions are correct then a 38 S&W round shoud not chamber (at least not easily).
Logged

Offline mcwoodduck

  • Trade Count: (11)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7983
  • Gender: Male
Re: 38 s&w?
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2008, 11:27:00 AM »
Are you all sure that it is not 38 Colt Long?  Some one bump this so I can find it again when I can check my vulume of Cartridges of the World.
Logged

Offline WILDCATT

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 60
Re: 38 s&w?
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2009, 03:11:22 PM »
38 long colt will take 38spec if the cylinders are bored thru which they usualy are.you can shoot target or standard loads not + .
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »