New member here. I have a question about shooting .38 in .357. I understand there is a slight difference in the diameter of these rounds so I was wondering if this affects the accuracy. Just yesterday I replaced .357s with .38 in my concealed carry shoulder holster and in a matter seconds two of the .38s fell out onto the deck. This never happened with the .357s. Perhaps this is an argument for those who shoot the .38 to do so in a .38 revolver? Thanks for any input.
.38 Special in .357 Revolver
- Thread starter ulmer
- Start date
The .38 Spl round is about 1/10" shorter than the .357 Mag round, but both use a nominal .357" diameter bullet (projectile). One thing to be aware of, is that if you shoot a LOT of .38 Spl ammo in your .357 Mag revolver, be certain to THOROUGHLY CLEAN then cylinder. The shorter cased .38Spl ammo can leave a ring of 'crud'*** in the cylinder, in the area needed for the longer .357 ammo. Can cause difficlties in loading and closing the cylinder loaded with .357, and MAY cause excessive pressure problerms in firing .357 Mag loads.
*** 'Crud' would be lead, bullet lube, powder residue, and any combination of said ingredients.
Re: the bullet diameter issue...Some revolver makers (Ruger, being one) offered a 9MM cylinder for certain models. In these cases, the bullet diameter issue MAY come into play, with the 9MM round being a nominal .355", while the 38 Spl/357 Mag ammo is a nominal .357" diameter
*** 'Crud' would be lead, bullet lube, powder residue, and any combination of said ingredients.
Re: the bullet diameter issue...Some revolver makers (Ruger, being one) offered a 9MM cylinder for certain models. In these cases, the bullet diameter issue MAY come into play, with the 9MM round being a nominal .355", while the 38 Spl/357 Mag ammo is a nominal .357" diameter
Last edited:
Brian Williams
New member
Crud cutter, get a 357 mag case that has been shot and cut a few notches in the bullet end and pop the primer and drill it out with a 1/4 inch drill and stuff a 1/4 inch dowel in for a handle and epoxy it in place. use it like a reamer to remove the ring of crud.
If you shoot enough 38spl's in your 357mag revolver, you can, 'fire-etch' the cylinder walls. This can cause hard extraction in a well-used pistol. This is, 'Why' I always load and shoot 357 magnum cases in all my 357mag revolvers. (It's a lot safer to load 'um down than to load 'um up, too!) 
With respect, that is incorrect. The diameter of both rounds is identical, however the .38 Special is slightly shorter (as described above). MANY experienced shooters fire lots .38 Special rounds from their .357 magnum revolvers. In fact, some of us believe that .38 Special +P loads are a fine defensive choice from .357 revolvers.
Bullets fell out?????
What kind of Pistol lets bullets fall out?
I can tell you that none of my S&W revolvers would let bullets fall out once the cylinder is closed.
Maybe the question is "what bullets would fall out of a .357 revolver?"
Is it possible the problem here is "Wrong Ammo"?
C'mon, people. Somebody out there has experience in this field.
How in G**'s name could you load a .357 and have two bullets fall out right afterwards?
What kind of Pistol lets bullets fall out?
I can tell you that none of my S&W revolvers would let bullets fall out once the cylinder is closed.
Maybe the question is "what bullets would fall out of a .357 revolver?"
Is it possible the problem here is "Wrong Ammo"?
C'mon, people. Somebody out there has experience in this field.
How in G**'s name could you load a .357 and have two bullets fall out right afterwards?
I should have made it clear that the cartridges were falling from the loops in the harness of the shoulder holster. I thought it odd that the .357 rounds were staying in while these .38s immediately dropped out. These were 158 grain HP +P commonly known as the FBI load, and I notice they are shorter than the 130 grain target loads I usually shoot. This does bring up why the .38 is still offered as a .38, all else being equal the shorter cylinder may give some advantage but that would appear to be nominal. Appreciate the above input.