.38 Special

E554705

.38 Special is a widely used revolver cartridge known for its manageable recoil and long-standing popularity in law enforcement and civilian self-defense.

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Statements (53)

Predicate Object
instanceOf centerfire cartridge
firearm cartridge
revolver cartridge
alsoKnownAs .38 S&W Special NERFINISHED
.38 Smith & Wesson Special NERFINISHED
.38 Spl NERFINISHED
9x29mmR
baseDiameter 0.379 inch
9.63 mm
bulletDiameter 0.357 inch
9.07 mm
canBeFiredIn .357 Magnum revolvers
caseLength 1.155 inch
29.3 mm
caseType rimmed
straight
countryOfOrigin United States of America
surface form: United States
designedBy Smith & Wesson NERFINISHED
designedFor revolvers
governingBodyStandard CIP NERFINISHED
SAAMI NERFINISHED
hasVariant .38 Special +P
.38 Special target loads
.38 Special wadcutter
introducedInYear 1898
isParentOf .357 Magnum NERFINISHED
knownFor accuracy
long service life in law enforcement
manageable recoil
maximumPressure 117 MPa
17000 psi
neckDiameter 0.379 inch
9.63 mm
overallLength 1.55 inch
39.4 mm
parentCartridge .38 Long Colt NERFINISHED
rimDiameter 0.44 inch
11.18 mm
SAAMIMaximumPressurePlusP 138 MPa
20000 psi
typicalBulletWeight 110 grains
125 grains
130 grains
148 grains
158 grains
usedFor civilian self-defense
competition shooting
law enforcement
target shooting
training
usedIn lever-action rifles
single-shot pistols
wasStandardServiceCartridgeFor many American police departments in the 20th century

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Bond Arms producesCaliber .38 Special