38 S&W vs 38 Special: Which Cartridge is Right for You?

The 38 S&W and the 38 Special are two popular caliber cartridges that are often compared to each other. They are both 38 caliber cartridges, but they have different dimensions and generate different levels of power. 

So which one is right for you? 

That depends on your personal preference and intended use. Both cartridges have been used for self-defense, hunting, and target shooting, so you can’t go wrong with either one.

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The History of the 38 S&W Cartridge

The 38 S&W cartridge was developed by Smith & Wesson in 1877 for their first revolver, the Model 38. It was designed as a black powder cartridge and was originally loaded with black powder. 

In 1891, Smith & Wesson switched to loading the 38 S&W with smokeless powder. The 38 S&W has a bullet diameter of .357 inches and an overall length of .98 inches. The 38 S&W is a rimmed cartridge that is typically reloaded with lead bullets.

38 s&w vs 38 special

The History of the 38 Special Cartridge

The 38 Special cartridge was developed by Smith & Wesson in 1898 for their Model 52 target revolver. It was designed as a smokeless powder cartridge and has a bullet diameter of .358 inches and an overall length of .98 inches. The 38 Special is a rimmed cartridge that is typically reloaded with lead bullets.

The Benefits of Each Cartridge

Benefits of 38 S&W:

  1. Low recoil: The 38 S&W has low recoil, making it a good choice for shooters who are recoil-sensitive.
  2. Wide selection of firearms: The 38 S&W is available in a wide variety of firearms, including revolvers, pistols, and rifles.
  3. Inexpensive: The 38 S&W is less expensive than other cartridges, making it a good choice for shooters on a budget.

Benefits of 38 Special:

  1. Higher muzzle velocity: The 38 Special has a higher muzzle velocity than the 38 S&W, resulting in greater stopping power.
  2. Greater range: The 38 Special has a greater range than the 38 S&W, making it better suited for shooting targets at longer distances.
  3. Better accuracy: The 38 Special is more accurate than the 38 S&W, making it a better choice for target shooting.
  4. Larger bullet diameter: The bullet diameter of the 38 Special is .358 inches compared to .357 inches for the 38 S&W. This allows the 38 Special cartridge to penetrate deeper into its target than the 38S & W cartridge.
  5. Greater stopping power: The 38 Special has greater stopping power than the 38 S&W, making it better suited for self-defense.

The Drawbacks of Each Cartridge

Drawbacks of 38 S&W:

  1. Lower muzzle velocity: The 38 S&W has a lower muzzle velocity than the 38 Special, resulting in less kinetic energy and less penetration.
  2. Lower stopping power: The 38 S&W doesn’t have as much stopping power as the 38 Special, meaning it can take more shots to incapacitate an attacker.

Drawbacks of 38 Special:

  1. Higher cost: The 38 Special is more expensive than the 38 S&W cartridge.
  2. Greater recoil: The 38 Special has greater recoil than the 38 S&W cartridge, making it unsuitable for shooters who are recoil-sensitive.
  3. Limited selection of firearms: The 38 Special is available in a limited number of firearms, including revolvers and pistols.

Which Cartridge Is Better for Self-Defense?

The 38 Special is the better choice for self-defense because it has a higher muzzle velocity, greater stopping power, and larger bullet diameter. It also has greater recoil than the 38 S&W, making it unsuitable for shooters who are recoil-sensitive. 

However, the 38 Special is more expensive than the 38 S&W and is only available in a limited selection of firearms.

If you are looking for a self-defense cartridge on a budget, the 38 S&W is a good choice. If you are looking for the best self-defense cartridge regardless of cost, the 38 Special is the better choice. 

If you are on a budget or are looking for a revolver or pistol that fires the 38 S&W cartridge, then the Smith & Wesson Model 60 may be a good choice for you. Whichever cartridge you choose, make sure to practice with it so that you can shoot accurately under stress.

How to Decide Which Cartridge Is Right For You?

When deciding which cartridge is right for you, consider your needs and preferences.

  • If you are looking for a low recoil cartridge for target shooting or plinking, the 38 S&W is a good choice.
  • If you are looking for a high performance self-defense cartridge, the 38 Special is the better choice. Consider your budget when making your decision as well. The 38 S&W is less expensive than the 38 Special, making it a good choice if cost is a factor.

Which Guns Fire the .38 Special?

Some of the most popular guns that fire the .38 Special include the Colt Detective Special, Smith & Wesson Model 60, Ruger LCR, and Taurus Judge.

The .38 Special is a versatile cartridge that can be used for target shooting, plinking, and self-defense. If you are looking for a revolver or pistol that fires the .38 Special cartridge, there are many great choices available on the market.

38 s&w vs 38 special

Which Guns Fire the 38 S&W?

The .38 S&W is a revolver cartridge developed by Smith & Wesson in 1877 for use in their top-break revolvers. Chambered in .357-.358 caliber, it was also known as the .38 Smith & Wesson, .38 S&W Short, or simply .38 Short.

In 1899, the United States Army adopted the .38 Long Colt cartridge as its standard sidearm, and it remained in that role until after World War I when it was replaced by the .45 ACP. 

In 1908, Colt introduced a semi-automatic pistol chambered for the .38 Long Colt and called it the Model 1908 Hammerless. This was followed by the Smith & Wesson’s Military & Police Model of 1909, which used the .38 S&W cartridge.

Bottom Line: 38 S&W vs 38 Special

So, which cartridge is right for you if you have to choose between the 38 S&W vs 38 special? If you’re looking for a revolver, the .38 S&W is probably your best bet. But if you’re looking for a semi-automatic handgun, either the .38 Long Colt or the .38 S&W will do just fine. 

Whichever one you choose, make sure you get plenty of practice with it so that you can be confident in your ability to defend yourself.

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