.38 Special

1898 · Smith & Wesson · 162 firearms in catalog

Also known as: .38 Spl, .38 S&W Special, 9x29mmR

Cartridge specifications

Bullet Diameter	9.07 mm (0.357")
Neck Diameter	9.6 mm (0.378")
Base Diameter	9.6 mm (0.378")
Case Length	29.34 mm (1.155")
Overall Length	39.37 mm (1.550")
Max Pressure	117 MPa (17,000 psi)
Typical Bullet Weight	8.1 g (125 gr)
Typical Muzzle Velocity	290 m/s (951 fps)
Typical Muzzle Energy	341 J (252 ft·lbf)
Primer Type	Small Pistol
Cartridge Type	Rimmed
Introduced	1898

Firearms chambered in .38 Special

A. Uberti 1851 Navy Conversion — A. Uberti · Revolver
A. Uberti 1860 Army — A. Uberti · Revolver
A. Uberti 1871 Early Model Open Top — A. Uberti · Revolver
A. Uberti 1872 Late Model Open Top — A. Uberti · Revolver
A. Uberti 1873 Stallion — A. Uberti · Revolver
A. Uberti Wild Bill — A. Uberti · Revolver
American Derringer DA Double Action — American Derringer · Pistol
American Derringer Lady Derringer — American Derringer · Pistol
American Derringer Model 11 — American Derringer · Pistol
American Derringer Model 7 Lightweight — American Derringer · Pistol
Armscor / Rock Island Armory M200 — Armscor / Rock Island Armory · Revolver
Armscor / Rock Island Armory M200 RIA — Armscor / Rock Island Armory · Revolver
Armscor / Rock Island Armory M202 — Armscor / Rock Island Armory · Revolver
Armscor / Rock Island Armory M206 — Armscor / Rock Island Armory · Revolver
Armscor / Rock Island Armory M206 RIA — Armscor / Rock Island Armory · Revolver
Astra-Unceta y Cia 960 — Astra-Unceta y Cia · Revolver
Bond Arms Roughneck — Bond Arms · Pistol
Bond Arms Stinger RS — Bond Arms · Pistol
Charter Arms Chic Lady — Charter Arms · Revolver
Charter Arms Coyote — Charter Arms · Revolver
Charter Arms Goldfinger — Charter Arms · Revolver
Charter Arms Lavender Lady — Charter Arms · Revolver
Charter Arms Off Duty — Charter Arms · Revolver
Charter Arms On Duty — Charter Arms · Revolver
Charter Arms Pink Lady — Charter Arms · Revolver
Charter Arms Pink Lady Off Duty — Charter Arms · Revolver
Charter Arms Pink Lady Southpaw — Charter Arms · Revolver
Charter Arms Police Bulldog — Charter Arms · Revolver
Charter Arms Police Undercover — Charter Arms · Revolver
Charter Arms Southpaw — Charter Arms · Revolver
Charter Arms Undercover — Charter Arms · Revolver
Charter Arms Undercover Lite — Charter Arms · Revolver
Chiappa Firearms Rhino 60DS Match Master — Chiappa Firearms · Revolver
Chiappa Rhino — Chiappa Firearms · Revolver · 2009
Cobra Enterprises Big Bore Derringer — Cobra Enterprises · Pistol
Cobra Enterprises Long Bore Derringer — Cobra Enterprises · Pistol
Cobra Enterprises Shadow — Cobra Enterprises · Revolver
Colt Agent — Colt's Manufacturing · Revolver
Colt Cobra — Colt's Manufacturing · Revolver
Colt Detective Special — Colt's Manufacturing · Revolver
Colt Diamondback — Colt's Manufacturing · Revolver
Colt Night Cobra — Colt's Manufacturing · Revolver
Colt Officers Model Match — Colt's Manufacturing Company · Pistol · 1953
Colt Official Police — Colt's Manufacturing · Revolver
Colt Pocket Positive — Colt's Manufacturing · Revolver
Colt Police Positive — Colt's Manufacturing Company · Revolver · 1908
Colt Python — Colt's Manufacturing Company · Pistol · 1955
Colt Viper — Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC · Revolver · 1977
Comanche II-A — Comanche · Revolver
Davis D-Series Derringer — Davis Industries · Pistol · 1982
Diamondback Firearms SDR — Diamondback Firearms · Revolver · 2024
Diamondback SDR-A — Diamondback Firearms · Revolver · 2026
Firearms Import & Export D38 — Firearms Import & Export · Pistol
Firearms Import & Export D86 — Firearms Import & Export · Pistol
Firearms Import & Export N-38 Titan Tiger — Firearms Import & Export · Revolver
Firearms Import & Export Standard — Firearms Import & Export · Revolver
FireStorm FS38R — FireStorm · Revolver
Kimber K6xs — Kimber Manufacturing · Revolver
Les Baer 1911 Bullseye Wadcutter — Les Baer Custom · Pistol
Les Baer 1911 PPC Distinguished Match — Les Baer Custom · Pistol
Les Baer 1911 PPC Open Class — Les Baer Custom · Pistol
Llama Gabilondo y Cia Comanche II — Llama Gabilondo y Cia · Revolver
Llama Gabilondo y Cia Deluxe Martial — Llama Gabilondo y Cia · Revolver
Norinco NP-50 — Norinco · Revolver
Rock River Arms Bullseye Wadcutter — Rock River Arms · Pistol
Rossi 68 — Rossi · Revolver
Rossi 68S — Rossi · Revolver
Rossi 851 — Rossi · Revolver
Rossi R351 — Rossi · Revolver
Rossi R352 — Rossi · Revolver
Ruger GP100 4.2" — Sturm, Ruger & Co. · Pistol · 1985
Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp 3" — Sturm, Ruger & Co. · Pistol · 2013
Ruger LCRx — Sturm, Ruger & Co. · Revolver
Ruger SP101 2.25" — Sturm, Ruger & Co. · Pistol · 1989
Sarsilmaz SR-38 — Sarsilmaz · Revolver
Smith & Wesson 386 Night Guard — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2026
Smith & Wesson 386 Sc/S — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2005
Smith & Wesson 386PD — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2001
Smith & Wesson 60LS — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1990
Smith & Wesson 65LS (LadySmith) — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1992
Smith & Wesson 66 Combat Magnum — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2014
Smith & Wesson 686 Plus — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1996
Smith & Wesson 686 Plus Plus — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2000
Smith & Wesson 686 Silhouette — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1981
Smith & Wesson 686 SSR — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2007
Smith & Wesson M&P 340 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2007
Smith & Wesson M&P 360 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2002
Smith & Wesson Model 10 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1899
Smith & Wesson Model 10 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1899
Smith & Wesson Model 13 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1974
Smith & Wesson Model 14 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1947
Smith & Wesson Model 19 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1957
Smith & Wesson Model 19 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1955
Smith & Wesson Model 19 Carry Comp PC — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2020
Smith & Wesson Model 27 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1935
Smith & Wesson Model 27 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1935
Smith & Wesson Model 28 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1954
Smith & Wesson Model 327 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2003
Smith & Wesson Model 327 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2007
Smith & Wesson Model 327 M&P R8 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2007
Smith & Wesson Model 327 Night Guard — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2008
Smith & Wesson Model 327PD — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2004
Smith & Wesson Model 340 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2001
Smith & Wesson Model 340PD — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2001
Smith & Wesson Model 340SS — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2001
Smith & Wesson Model 36 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1950
Smith & Wesson Model 36 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1950
Smith & Wesson Model 360 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2001
Smith & Wesson Model 360 Kit Gun — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2001
Smith & Wesson Model 360PD — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2001
Smith & Wesson Model 360PD — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2001
Smith & Wesson Model 360SS — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2001
Smith & Wesson Model 37 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1952
Smith & Wesson Model 386 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2001
Smith & Wesson Model 386 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2004
Smith & Wesson Model 40 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1952
Smith & Wesson Model 442 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1993
Smith & Wesson Model 49 Bodyguard — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1959
Smith & Wesson Model 581 — Smith & Wesson · Revolver · 1980
Smith & Wesson Model 586 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1980
Smith & Wesson Model 586 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1980
Smith & Wesson Model 60 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1965
Smith & Wesson Model 60 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1965
Smith & Wesson Model 619 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2005
Smith & Wesson Model 627 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1989
Smith & Wesson Model 637 Airweight — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1996
Smith & Wesson Model 638 Bodyguard Airweight — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1989
Smith & Wesson Model 64 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1970
Smith & Wesson Model 640 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1990
Smith & Wesson Model 642 Airweight — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1996
Smith & Wesson Model 649 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1996
Smith & Wesson Model 649 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1985
Smith & Wesson Model 65 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1972
Smith & Wesson Model 65 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1972
Smith & Wesson Model 66 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1970
Smith & Wesson Model 66 Combat Magnum — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1970
Smith & Wesson Model 66 Combat Magnum — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1970
Smith & Wesson Model 686 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1981
Smith & Wesson Model 686 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1980
Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 1996
Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus Spec Series R — Smith & Wesson · Revolver · 2026
Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P R8 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2007
Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 327 TRR8 — Smith & Wesson · Pistol · 2006
Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 36 Field Ethos — Smith & Wesson · Revolver · 2026
Smith & Wesson Victory Model — Smith & Wesson · Revolver · 1942
Taurus 605 — Taurus International · Pistol · 1995
Taurus 608 — Taurus International · Pistol · 1997
Taurus 608 Competition — Taurus · Pistol · 1995
Taurus 617 — Taurus International · Pistol · 2001
Taurus 617 Total Titanium — Taurus · Pistol · 1998
Taurus 627 Tracker — Taurus · Pistol · 2000
Taurus 65 — Taurus International · Pistol · 1978
Taurus 66 — Taurus International · Pistol · 1978
Taurus 66 Silhouette — Taurus · Pistol · 1992
Taurus 669 — Taurus · Pistol · 1990
Taurus 692 — Taurus International · Pistol · 2018
Taurus 82 — Taurus International · Pistol · 1978
Taurus 85 — Taurus · Pistol · 1980
Taurus 85 Total Titanium — Taurus · Pistol
Taurus 85 Ultra-Lite — Taurus · Pistol
Taurus 856 — Taurus · Pistol · 2016
Weihrauch (Arminius) HW 38 — Weihrauch (Arminius) · Revolver

Cartridge family

Derived cartridges