.38 Special Ammo Overview

The .38 Special stands as one of the most enduring and versatile handgun cartridges ever developed. Introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1898, it set the standard for reliable, accurate handgun performance throughout the 20th century. Today, it remains a popular choice for both new and experienced shooters, prized for its mild recoil and excellent accuracy potential.

While no longer the primary choice for law enforcement, the .38 Special continues to excel in several roles. Its moderate power, manageable recoil, and ability to be fired in any .357 Magnum revolver make it an excellent option for training, recreational shooting, and self-defense. Modern ammunition developments have enhanced its performance while maintaining the cartridge's characteristic shootability and reliability.

What .38 Special Does Best

Training and Practice

The .38 Special truly excels as a training cartridge, particularly for those who own .357 Magnum revolvers. Its mild recoil and moderate report make it ideal for developing proper trigger control and shooting fundamentals. The reduced fatigue from recoil allows for longer practice sessions, while the consistent point of impact helps build confidence and proficiency. The cartridge's inherent accuracy potential makes it particularly valuable for learning precise shot placement.

Recreational Shooting

For recreational shooting and target practice, the .38 Special offers an excellent balance of performance and shootability. Its moderate power level makes it enjoyable to shoot for extended sessions, while still providing enough feedback to be engaging. The cartridge's accuracy potential makes it popular for informal target shooting and competitive events like bullseye shooting, where precision is paramount.

Personal Defense

While not as powerful as more modern defensive cartridges, the .38 Special remains viable for personal defense, particularly in its +P loadings. Modern bullet designs have significantly improved its terminal performance, and its mild recoil allows for quick follow-up shots. The cartridge's reliability in revolvers, combined with excellent accuracy, makes it particularly suitable for those who prefer simpler, more robust defensive firearms.

Popular Manufacturers

Premium Manufacturers

• Federal Premium: Gold Dot and HST defensive loads
• Speer: Gold Dot defensive ammunition
• Hornady: Critical Defense and Custom loads
• Winchester: PDX1 Defender and Silvertip
• Remington: Golden Saber and Ultimate Defense

Practice Ammunition

• Federal: American Eagle and Champion
• Winchester: White Box and Target
• Remington: UMC and Range
• Sellier & Bellot: Target and Practice
• Magtech: Range and Training

.38 Special History

The .38 Special evolved from the .38 Long Colt, which proved inadequate during the Philippine-American War. Smith & Wesson developed the improved cartridge in 1898 as a more powerful option for military and law enforcement use, creating what would become the standard police cartridge for most of the 20th century.

The cartridge gained widespread adoption among police departments nationwide, serving as the primary law enforcement round until the late 1980s. Its moderate recoil and excellent accuracy made it particularly suitable for police work, though concerns about its stopping power eventually led to the development of the more powerful .357 Magnum.

The development of +P loadings in the 1970s gave the cartridge renewed defensive capability, while maintaining compatibility with standard .38 Special revolvers rated for these higher pressures. This development helped extend the cartridge's service life in law enforcement and enhanced its appeal for personal defense.

Today, while largely supplanted by semi-automatic pistols in police service, the .38 Special remains popular among civilian shooters. Its combination of mild recoil, excellent accuracy, and proven reliability continues to make it a favorite for training, target shooting, and personal defense, particularly in small, concealable revolvers.