.38 Special
| Navigation: | Main Page → Items → Ammunition → .38 Special | |||
| .38 Special | |||||||||
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| Game information | |||||||||
| All information listed assumes Standard FMJ (Reg/SP/FMJ) | |||||||||
| Category | (P)istol caliber | ||||||||
| Recoil level | 2 | ||||||||
| Cost per round |  1.00
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| Weight per round (units) | 0.01 | ||||||||
| Quantity (retail box/bulk can) | 50 / 1000 | ||||||||
| Damage tables | |||||||||
| Type | LDV | C1 | C2 | A1 | A2 | A3 | A4 | A5 | |
| Bullet | +1 | 27% | 25% | 22% | 18% | 14% | 7% | 2% | |
| Handloading information | |||||||||
| Primer type | Small pistol | ||||||||
| Powder type | Pistol powder | ||||||||
| Projectile type | .357, 125 grain | ||||||||
| Cost per case | 0.193
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| Standard load (SP) | 58 pwdr | ||||||||
| Cold load (-P) | 52 pwdr | ||||||||
| Hot load (+P) | 64 pwdr | ||||||||
| Super load (+P+) | 70 pwdr | ||||||||
| Real world information | |||||||||
| Ref. barrel length (inches) | 4 (S&W Model 10) | ||||||||
| Muzzle velocity | 296 m/s (971 ft/s) | ||||||||
| Muzzle energy | 355 Joule (262 ft-lbf) | ||||||||
| Country of origin | .png){kind=small} United States
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| Year | 1898 | ||||||||
.38 Special is a type of ammunition for firearms. It is classified as a (P)istol caliber.
.38 Special is pronounced thirty-eight special. Despite the name, the actual diameter of the bullet is 0.357 inches; the ".38" part of the name comes from the diameter of the case, which is roughly 0.380" inch.
This caliber may also be known as .38 S&W Special (its former full name), .38 Spc, .38 Spl, 9x29mm R, or simply .38.
Compatibility
Base weapons
There are 10 base weapons chambered in this caliber.
- Armscor Model 206
- Astra 680
- Charter Arms Undercover
- Colt Cobra
- Colt Detective Special
- Mateba MTR-8
- Röhm RG-38S
- Smith & Wesson Model 10
- Smith & Wesson Model 242 Airlite
- Smith & Wesson Model 642
Cross-caliber compatibility
.38 Special can be seen as a shorter version of .357 Magnum; both cartridges have the exact same dimensions other than case length. In turn, this allows many .357 Magnum firearms to be loaded with .38 Special, increasing the versatility of these firearms.
There are 13 .357 Magnum firearms than can also accept .38 Special:
- COP 357 Derringer
- All .357 Magnum revolvers:
Barrel length groups
The reference barrel length belongs to the group listed in italics.
| Group name | Barrel length range | Damage multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Short handgun | Up to 3.9" | 0.75x |
| Medium handgun | 4" - 8" | 1.0x |
| Long handgun | 8.1" - 12" | 1.5x |
| Rifle | 12.1" and up | 1.75x |
Retail information
.38 Special ammunition can be purchased in gun shops and weapon shops in boxes of 50 rounds or bulk cans of 1000 rounds.
The following brands and projectile types are available in retail:
| Brand name | Composition | Available projectile types |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Reg/SP | FMJ (1.0x) Lead (0.5x) LSWC (0.8x) JHP (1.5x) JSP (1.2x) LSWCHP (2.0x) SF (1.2x) UHS (1.2x) |
| Reduced Velocity | Reg/-P | FMJ (0.9x) Lead (0.45x) LSWC (0.72x) JHP (1.35x) JSP (1.08x) LSWCHP (1.8x) |
| Personal Defense | Reg/+P | FMJ (1.1x) JHP (1.65x) JSP (1.32x) LSWCHP (2.2x) |
| Pocket Dragon | Reg/+P+ | FMJ (1.2x) JHP (1.8x) JSP (1.44x) |
The multipliers listed correspond to the value multipliers to cost of ammunition provided by powder type, pressure level, and projectile type. They are included on this table as a convenience, in order to tell at a glance the cost of a given brand and projectile combination.
Maze Customs
| Availability of .38 Special as a Customs family chambering: | |||||||||||
 1911SS |
 1911DS |
 Blackhawk |
 Redhawk |
 Glock-SF |
 Glock-LF |
 MP5 |
 AR-15 |
 AK |
 AR-10 |
 Rem700 |
 BA |
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