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38 SPECIAL

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We shot 16 different loads of 38 Special self-defense ammo into ballistic gel

38 Special ammo is a legendary round and is probably one of the longest lasting rounds for police service there ever has been. The cartridge has been around for more than 110 years! 38 Special as a caliber is the derivative of several different kinds of 38 Special, which all eventually settled into the mainstream SAAMI spec-cartridge that we use today, more or less.

Up until the 1980’s police officers could still be found with Smith and Wesson K frame 38 specials. These six shooters became symbols of the lawman, long after being retired from military service. With the explosion of concealed carry those who prefer the wheel gun can’t go wrong with a snub nose 38 special. The 38 spc has been around so long it has a wide variety of different rounds, including oddballs like wax and snake shot.

Today, you’ll find 38 special rounds for target practice as well as self-defense. Most shooters opt for a full metal jacket bullet for training or plinking while the jacketed hollow point rounds with an expanding bullet are better for self-defense/protection.

Major ammo companies are still tweaking the 38 special design to get the most they can out of it. Look for rounds in-stock from well-known manufacturers like Hornady, Winchester and Federal.

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20rds – 38 Special Ammo Inc. Streak 125gr. TMJ Non-Incendiary Visual Tracer Ammo

$16.95

$0.85/ppr

5 In Stock
50rds - 38 Special Black Hills 148gr. Hollow Base Wadcutter Ammo
☆☆☆☆☆ 5 Review(s)

$45.95

$0.92/ppr

115 In Stock
50rds – 38 Special +P Speer LE Gold Dot 125gr. JHP Ammo
☆☆☆☆☆ 3 Review(s)

$46.95

$0.94/ppr

190 In Stock
50rds - 38 Special Winchester 148gr. SUPER MATCH Wadcutter Ammo
☆☆☆☆☆ 3 Review(s)

$49.95

$1.00/ppr

123 In Stock
200rds – 38 Special +P Federal Punch 120gr. JHP Ammo

$219.95

$1.10/ppr

69 In Stock
20rds – 38 Special Remington HTP 110gr. SJHP Ammo

$25.95

$1.30/ppr

144 In Stock
250rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo

$329.95

$1.32/ppr

11 In Stock
25rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo
☆☆☆☆☆ 2 Review(s)

$35.95

$1.44/ppr

88 In Stock
20rds – 38 Special +P Underwood 125gr. XTP Ammo

$28.95

$1.45/ppr

151 In Stock

About This Data

Firearm Used S&W 640

Barrel Length 2.125"

Distance to Target 10 Feet

Barrier 4-layer cloth

Ammo	5-shot average penetration depth	5-shot average diameter	5-shot average velocity
500rds - 38 Special Black Hills 125gr. +P Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Black Hills 125gr. +P Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo	22.12"	0.35"	822
20rds - 38 Special +P Federal Personal Defense Micro 130gr. HST JHP Ammo 200rds – 38 Special +P Federal Personal Defense Micro 130gr. HST JHP Ammo	12.66"	0.72"	872
20rds - 38 Special Federal Hydra-Shok 129gr. +P HP Ammo	19.56"	0.35"	828
20rds - 38 Special Federal Hydra-Shok 110gr. HP Ammo 200rds – 38 Special Federal Hydra-Shok Low Recoil 110gr. JHP Ammo	14.52"	0.51"	936
50rds – 38 Special Fiocchi 158gr. JHP Ammo 1000rds – 38 Special Fiocchi 158gr. JHP Ammo	15.5"	0.35"	686
25rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr.+P FTX HP Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr.+P FTX HP Ammo	14.64"	0.47"	961
25rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo	14.78"	0.46"	829
25rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Lite Defense 90gr. FTX Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 90gr. FTX Ammo	13.9"	0.45"	910
25rds - 38 Special Hornady 158gr. JHP XTP Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady 158gr. JHP XTP Ammo	18.58"	0.35"	675
50rds – 38 Special +P Remington HTP 125gr. SJHP Ammo 500rds – 38 Special +P Remington HTP 125gr. SJHP Ammo	14.78"	0.44"	898
20rds - 38 Special SinterFire Special Duty 110gr. Frangible HP Ammo	16.3"	0.35"	1060
50rds - 38 Special Speer LE Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr. +P Ammo	13.74"	0.57"	886
200rds – 38 Special +P Winchester Defender 130gr. PDX1 Bonded JHP Ammo	17.86"	0.51"	843
50rds - 38 Special Winchester Silvertip 125gr. +P JHP Ammo 500rds - 38 Special +P Winchester 125gr. Super-X Silvertip Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo	15.96"	0.49"	871
20rds - 38 Special Winchester W Train and Defend 130gr. JHP Ammo 200rds - 38 Special Winchester W Train and Defend 130gr. JHP Ammo	20.28"	0.38"	857
50rds - 38 Special Federal LE Hi-Shok 125gr. +P Hollow Point Ammo 1000rds – 38 Special +P Federal LE 125gr. Hi-Shok JHP Ammo	15.82"	0.35"	841
50rds – 38 Special +P Federal LE Tactical 129gr. Hydra-Shok JHP Ammo	16.44"	0.4"	878

Federal Ammo

Hornady Ammo

Winchester Ammo

Black Hills Ammunition

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How Does the .38 Special Compare to the .38 S&W?

The .38 Special (which has the full name of “.38 S&W Special”) is based off the older .38 S&W, but they are different rounds that are not interchangeable. The .38 S&W is not only a much older cartridge, dating back to the 1870’s, but it has larger bullet, rim, and neck diameters. The .38 Special is generally faster and more powerful when judging muzzle velocities. We do still carry factory loaded 38 S&W ammo by the way.

Can I shoot .38 Special +P in My 38 Special Handgun?

“+P” is a designation given to many rounds that indicates the ammunition has been loaded to higher pressures than is standard for that cartridge. A .38 Special +P looks exactly like a regular .38 Special, but it will fire with a greater velocity and power. (.38 Special +P is often considered a subcategory of the .38 Special, not a standalone cartridge.) This also means that the internal pressure is higher, so firearms not made for +P rounds can be damaged, even if they fire standard loads. If firing .38 Special +P, always verify that your firearm can handle the increased power. (Hint: most older .38-caliber guns cannot take +P.)

What is the Difference Between the .38 Special and the .357 Magnum?

The .357 Magnum is essentially the same as a .38 Special, but the case is longer to allow more room for propellant, once again increasing the velocity and power. The .357 Magnum is larger (while the bullet can remain the same size) so it won’t fit in guns built precisely for the .38 Special; the increased pressure could cause damage. However, guns built for the .357 Magnum can take the .38 Special. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations or consult a gunsmith before interchanging the .38 Special, .38 Special +P, and the .357 Magnum. To see a more in-depth analysis, click here to see the differences between 357 magnum vs 38 special.

Is the .38 Special Cartridge Only for Revolvers?

No. Although rare, the bullet is also used in semi-automatic pistols and carbines. However, the round is commonly associated with revolvers, so if you hear someone discussing target practice with .38 Special ammo, you can be all but positive they are using a revolver.

What Kind of .38 Special Bullets Should I Choose?

That depends on your purpose. If you are using the .38 Special or .38 Special +P for self defense, then you will want an expanding round. In most cases, this means a hollow-point bullet, such as a JHP. However, you could also choose a soft-nose bullet. To learn more about the best 38 special ammo for self-defense, head to this article on our blog.

If you are using the using the round for target practice, then full-metal jacket bullets are ideal, as you will have less fouling in the barrel. You can also choose lead round nose bullets, which are generally more affordable but can leave more residue in the barrel.

38 SPECIAL

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