How does a .38 round fit in a .357 hole?
- Thread starter maxinquaye
- Start date
Mike Irwin
Staff
Andabeer,
You are partially correct, sir!
As originally developed, the .38 Special never did use a heeled bullet, as far as I have been able to determine.
However, the round that it was based on, the .38 Long Colt, DID use a heeled bullet when it was originally designed, but that didn't last all that long, either.
Smith & Wesson developed the .38 Special hoping to capitalize on the .38 LC's known lack of stopping power (INCOMING DEBATE ON WHICH STOPS BETTER!!!
), and simply lengthened the .38 LC. They hoped it would appeal to the military as a service round, as it could use some of the same production machinery. The military wanted the .45 ACP instead.
Heeled bullets were originally used in many of the first brass and copper cased pistol rounds, and even many rifle rounds.
The .38 S&W and the .38 Short Colt both used heeled bullets. This was later changed when the reduced-size bullet was adopted (easier to make the loaded rounds, and used less lead). The problem was that there were a lot of the old revolvers with a true .38 bore. The solution was to make a bullet with a large hollow in the base. On firing, the sides of the bullet, or "skirt" as it is called, would expand into the rifling in the older guns, giving OK accuracy, while the round worked perfectly in the guns with the newer, smaller, bore diameter.
As originally developed, the .45 Colt may also have had a heeled bullet, but I'm not 100% certain about that.
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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
You are partially correct, sir!
As originally developed, the .38 Special never did use a heeled bullet, as far as I have been able to determine.
However, the round that it was based on, the .38 Long Colt, DID use a heeled bullet when it was originally designed, but that didn't last all that long, either.
Smith & Wesson developed the .38 Special hoping to capitalize on the .38 LC's known lack of stopping power (INCOMING DEBATE ON WHICH STOPS BETTER!!!
), and simply lengthened the .38 LC. They hoped it would appeal to the military as a service round, as it could use some of the same production machinery. The military wanted the .45 ACP instead.Heeled bullets were originally used in many of the first brass and copper cased pistol rounds, and even many rifle rounds.
The .38 S&W and the .38 Short Colt both used heeled bullets. This was later changed when the reduced-size bullet was adopted (easier to make the loaded rounds, and used less lead). The problem was that there were a lot of the old revolvers with a true .38 bore. The solution was to make a bullet with a large hollow in the base. On firing, the sides of the bullet, or "skirt" as it is called, would expand into the rifling in the older guns, giving OK accuracy, while the round worked perfectly in the guns with the newer, smaller, bore diameter.
As originally developed, the .45 Colt may also have had a heeled bullet, but I'm not 100% certain about that.
------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
Eric of IN
New member
Clead, sounds like the Medusa. It is supposed to be able to handle .38 special, .367 Magnum, 9mm, and .380. I don't know how well it works, as I've only heard about it second-hand.
Eric
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Teach a kid to shoot.
It annoys the antis.
Eric
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Teach a kid to shoot.
It annoys the antis.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ledbetter:
To "mike" something is to measure it with a micrometer, yielding a measurement expressed in thousandths of an inch.[/quote]
Ledbetter,
Thanks. If I hadn't misread the word I wouldn't have had to ask the question. That's what happens when you read the boards after you've just woke up.
To "mike" something is to measure it with a micrometer, yielding a measurement expressed in thousandths of an inch.[/quote]
Ledbetter,
Thanks. If I hadn't misread the word I wouldn't have had to ask the question. That's what happens when you read the boards after you've just woke up.
Chipperman
New member
I think all this random naming of cartridges is a secret plot of the Anti's to confuse us.
Then again, maybe not.
Then again, maybe not.
The intracies of the "around 9mm" group of cartridges amaze me...
I heard someone call the 9x18 Makarov a "nine and a half milimeter". Probably the best description of that round, as it is differently sized from anything else out there.
Certain revolvers can use 357/38 and 9mm, the Ruger Blackhawk with 9mm conversion comes to mind. I see no reason why 380(9x17) couldn't be used in it with moon clips.
I heard someone call the 9x18 Makarov a "nine and a half milimeter". Probably the best description of that round, as it is differently sized from anything else out there.
Certain revolvers can use 357/38 and 9mm, the Ruger Blackhawk with 9mm conversion comes to mind. I see no reason why 380(9x17) couldn't be used in it with moon clips.
Mike Irwin,
The original 45 Colt was not healed. The one you're probably thinking of was the 44 American, S&Ws first big bore metallic cartridge. When the Russians contracted with S&W for their new service revolver they specified an inside lubricated bullet. In the tradition of the day, S&W called the new round the "44" Russian, despite the fact that it was actually a 43 caliber (.429").
Dave T
PCSD Ret
The original 45 Colt was not healed. The one you're probably thinking of was the 44 American, S&Ws first big bore metallic cartridge. When the Russians contracted with S&W for their new service revolver they specified an inside lubricated bullet. In the tradition of the day, S&W called the new round the "44" Russian, despite the fact that it was actually a 43 caliber (.429").
Dave T
PCSD Ret